第5章

"Hemighthave,andhurthimverymuch。Ouractionsareinourownhands,buttheconsequencesofthemarenot。Rememberthat,mydear,andthinktwicebeforeyoudoanything。"

"Yes,\'m,Iwill";andJillcomposedherselftoconsiderwhatmissionariesusuallydidwhenthenativeshurledtomahawksandboomerangsatoneanother,anddefiedtherulersoftheland。

Mrs。Minotwroteonepageofanewletter,thenstopped,pushedherpapersabout,thoughtalittle,andfinallygotup,saying,asifshefounditimpossibletoresisttheyearningofherheartforthenaughtyboy,"IamgoingtoseeifJackiscoveredup,heissohelpless,andliabletotakecold。Don\'tstirtillIcomeback。"

"No,\'m,Iwon\'t。"

AwaywentthetenderparenttofindhersonstudyingCaesarfordearlife,andallthemoreamiableforthelittlegustwhichhadblownawaythetemporaryirritability。Thebrotherswereoftencalled"ThunderandLightning,"becauseFrankloweredandgrowledandwasagoodwhileclearingup,whileJack\'stempercameandwentlikeaflash,andtheairwasalltheclearerfortheescapeofdangerouselectricity。OfcourseMammahadtostopanddeliveralittlelecture,illustratedbysadtalesofpetulantboys,andpunctuatedwithkisseswhichtookofftheedgeoftheseafflictingnarratives。

Jillmeantimemeditatedmorallyonthesuperiorityofherowngoodtemperoverthehastyoneofherdearplaymate,andjustwhenshewasfeelingunusuallyupliftedandsecure,alas！likesomanyofus,shefell,inthemostdeplorablemanner。

Glancingabouttheroomforsomethingtodo,shesawasheetofpaperlyingexactlyoutofreach,whereithadflutteredfromthetableunperceived。AtfirsthereyerestedonitascarelesslyasitdidonthestraystampFrankhaddropped;then,asifonethingsuggestedtheother,shetookitintoherheadthatthepaperwasFrank\'scomposition,or,betterstill,anotetoAnnette,forthetwocorrespondedwhenabsenceorweatherpreventedthedailymeetingatschool。

"Wouldn\'titbefuntokeepittillhegivesbackJack\'sstamps？Itwouldplaguehimsoifitwasanote,andIdobelieveitis,forcompo\'sdon\'tbeginwithtwowordsononeside。I\'llgetit,andJackandIwillplansomewaytopayhimoff,crossthing！"

Forgettingherpromisenottostir,alsohowdishonorableitwastoreadotherpeople\'sletters,Jillcaughtupthelong—handledhook,ofteninusenow,andtriedtopullthepapernearer。Itwouldnotcomeatonce,foraseaminthecarpetheldit,andJillfearedtotearorcrumpleitifshewasnotverycareful。Thehookwasratherheavyandlongforhertomanage,andJackusuallydidthefishing,soshewasnotveryskilful;andjustasshewasgivingaparticularlyquickjerk,shelostherbalance,felloffthesofa,anddroppedthepolewithabang。

"Oh,myback！"wasallshecouldthinkorsayasshefeltthejarallthroughherlittlebody,andacorrespondingfearinherguiltylittlemindthatsomeonewouldcomeandfindoutthedoublemischiefshehadbeenat。Foramomentshelayquitestilltorecoverfromtheshock,thenasthepainpassedshebegantowonderhowsheshouldgetback,andlookedabouthertoseeifshecoulddoitalone。Shethoughtshecould,asthesofawasnearandshehadimprovedsomuchthatshecouldsitupalittleifthedoctorwouldhavelether。Shewasgatheringherselftogetherfortheeffort,when,withinarm\'sreachnow,shesawthetemptingpaper,andseizeditwithglee,forinspiteofherpredicamentshedidwanttoteaseFrank。Aglanceshowedthatitwasnotthecompositionnoranote,butthebeginningofaletterfromMrs。Minottohersister,andJillwasabouttolayitdownwhenherownnamecaughthereye,andshecouldnotresistreadingit。Hardwordstowriteofonesoyoung,doublyhardtoread,andimpossibletoforget。

"DearLizzie,Jackcontinuestodoverywell,andwillsoonbeupagain。Butwebegintofearthatthelittlegirlispermanentlyinjuredintheback。Sheishere,andwedoourbestforher;butI

neverlookatherwithoutthinkingofLucindaSnow,who,youremember,wasbedriddenfortwentyyears,owingtoafallatfifteen。PoorlittleJaneydoesnotknowyet,andIhope"——Thereitended,and"poorlittleJaney\'s"punishmentfordisobediencebeganthatinstant。Shethoughtshewasgettingwellbecauseshedidnotsufferallthetime,andeveryonespokecheerfullyabout"byandby。"Nowsheknewthetruth,andshuthereyeswithashiverasshesaid,low,toherself,"Twentyyears！Icouldn\'tbearit;oh,Icouldn\'tbearit！"

AverymiserableJilllayonthefloor,andforawhiledidnotcarewhocameandfoundher;thenthelastwordsoftheletter——"I

hope"——seemedtoshineacrosstheblacknessofthedreadful"twentyyears"andcheerherupabit,fordespairneverliveslonginyounghearts,andJillwasabravechild。

"ThatiswhyMammysighssowhenshedressesme,andeveryoneissogoodtome。PerhapsMrs。Minotdoesn\'treallyknow,afterall。

ShewasdreadfullyscaredaboutJack,andheisgettingwell。I\'dliketoaskDoctor,buthemightfindOutabouttheletter。Oh,dear,whydidn\'tIkeepstillandletthehorridthingalone！"

Asshethoughtthat,Jillpushedthepaperaway,pulledherselfup,andwithmuchpainfuleffortmanagedtogetbacktohersofa,whereshelaidherselfdownwithagroan,feelingasifthetwentyyearshadalreadypassedoverhersinceshetumbledoff。

"I\'vetoldalie,forIsaidIwouldn\'tstir。I\'vehurtmyback,I\'vedoneameanthing,andI\'vegotpaidforit。AnicemissionaryIam;I\'dbetterbeginathome,asMammytoldmeto";andJillgroanedagain,rememberinghermother\'swords。"NowI\'vegotanothersecrettokeepallalone,forI\'dbeashamedtotellthegirls。IguessI\'llturnroundandstudymyspelling;thennoonewillseemyface。"

Jilllookedthepictureofagood,industriouschildasshelaywithherbacktothelargetable,herbookheldsothatnothingwastobeseenbutonecheekandapairoflipsmovingbusily。Fortunately,itisdifficultforlittlesinnerstoactapart,and,evenifthefaceishidden,somethinginthebodyseemstobetraytheinternalremorseandshame。Usually,Jilllayflatandstill;nowherbackwasbentinapeculiarwayassheleanedoverherbook,andonefootwaggednervously,whileonthevisiblecheekwasaSpanishstampwithawoman\'sfacelookingthroughtheblackbars,verysuggestively,ifshehadknownit。Howlongtheminutesseemedtillsomeonecame,andwhataqueerlittlejumpherheartgavewhenMrs。

Minot\'svoicesaid,cheerfully,"Jackisallright,and,Ideclare,soisJill。Ireallybelievethereisatelegraphstillworkingsomewherebetweenyoutwo,andeachknowswhattheotherisaboutwithoutwords。"

"Ididn\'thaveanyotherbookhandy,soIthoughtI\'dstudyawhile,"

answeredJill,feelingthatshedeservednopraiseforherseemingindustry。

Shecastasidelongglanceasshespoke,andseeingthatMrs。

Minotwaslookingfortheletter,hidherfaceandlaysostillshecouldheartherustleofthepaperasitwastakenfromthefloor。Itwaswellshedidnotalsoseethequicklooktheladygaveherassheturnedtheletterandfoundaredstampstickingtotheunderside,forthisunluckylittlewitnesstoldthestory。

Mrs。Minotrememberedhavingseenthestamplyingclosetothesofawhenshelefttheroom,forshehadhadhalfamindtotakeittoJack,butdidnot,thinkingFrank\'splanhadsomeadvantages。

Shealsorecollectedthatapaperflewoffthetable,butbeinginhasteshehadnotstoppedtoseewhatitwas。Now,thestampandthelettercouldhardlyhavecometogetherwithouthands,fortheylayayardapart,andhere,also,ontheunwrittenportionofthepage,wasthemarkofasmallgreenthumb。Jillhadbeenwindingwoolforastripeinhernewafghan,andthegreenballlayonhersofa。ThesesignssuggestedandconfirmedwhatMrs。Minotdidnotwanttobelieve;sodidthevoice,attitude,andairofJill,allveryunlikeherusualopen,alertways。

Thekindladycouldeasilyforgivethereadingofherlettersincethegirlhadfoundsuchsadnewsthere,butthedangersofdisobediencewereseriousinhercase,andaglanceshowedthatshewassufferingeitherinmindorbody——perhapsboth。

"Iwillwaitforhertotellme。Sheisanhonestchild,andthetruthwillsooncomeout,"thoughtMrs。Minot,asshetookacleansheet,andJilltriedtostudy。

"ShallIhearyourlesson,dear？Jackmeanstorecitehislikeagoodboy,sosupposeyoufollowhisexample,"shesaid,presently。

"Idon\'tknowasIcansayit,butI\'lltry。"

Jilldidtry,andgotonbravelytillshecametotheword"permanent";thereshehesitated,rememberingwhereshesawitlast。

"Doyouknowwhatthatmeans？"askedherteacher,thinkingtohelpheronbydefiningtheword。

"Always——foragreatwhile——orsomethinglikethat;doesn\'tit？"

falteredJill,withatightfeelinginherthroat,andthecolorcomingup,asshetriedtospeakeasily,yetfeltsoshame—strickenshecouldnot。

"Areyouinpain,mychild？Nevermindthelesson;tellme,andI\'lldosomethingforyou。"

Thekindwords,thesofthandonherhotcheek,andthepityintheeyesthatlookedather,weretoomuchforJill。Asobcamefirst,andthenthetruth,toldwithhiddenfaceandtearsthatwashedtheblushaway,andsetfreethehonestlittlesoulthatcouldnothideitsfaultfromsuchafriend。

"Iknewitallbefore,andwassureyouwouldtellme,elseyouwouldnotbethechildIloveandliketohelpsowell。"

Then,whileshesoothedJill\'strouble,Mrs。Minottoldherstoryandshowedtheletter,wishingtolessen,ifpossible,somepartofthepainithadgiven。

"Slyoldstamp！TogoandtellonmewhenImeanttoownup,antigetsomecreditifIcould,afterbeingsomeanandbad,"saidJill,smilingthroughhertearswhenshesawthetell—talewitnessesagainsther。

"Youhadbetterstickitinyourbooktoremindyouofthebadconsequencesofdisobedience,thenperhapsthislessonwillleaveapermanentimpressiononyourmindandmemory,answeredMrs。

Minot,gladtoseehernaturalgayetycomingback,andhopingthatshehadforgottenthecontentsoftheunfortunateletter。Butshehadnot;andpresently,whenthesadaffairhadbeentalkedoverandforgiven,Jillasked,slowly,asshetriedtoputonabravelook,"PleasetellmeaboutLucindaSnow。IfIamtobelikeher,Imightaswellknowhowshemanagedtobearitsolong。"

"I\'msorryyoueverheardofher,andyetperhapsitmayhelpyoutobearyourtrial,dear,whichIhopewillneverbeasheavyaoneashers,ThisLucindaIknewforyears,andthoughatfirstIthoughtherfatethesaddestthatcouldbe,Icameatlasttoseehowhappyshewasinspiteofheraffliction,howgoodandusefulandbeloved。"

"Why,howcouldshebe？Whatdidshedo？"criedJill,forgettingherowntroublestolookupwithanopen,eagerfaceagain。

"Shewassopatient,otherpeoplewereashamedtocomplainoftheirsmallworries;socheerful,thatherowngreatonegrewlighter;soindustrious,thatshemadebothmoneyandfriendsbyprettythingssheworkedandsoldtohermanyvisitors。And,bestofall,sowiseandsweetthatsheseemedtogetgoodoutofeverything,andmakeherpoorroomasortofchapelwherepeoplewentforcomfort,counsel,andanexampleofapiouslife。So,yousee,Lucindawasnotsoverymiserableafterall。"

"Well,ifIcouldnotbeasIwas,I\'dliketobeawomanlikethat。

Only,IhopeIshallnot！"answeredJill,thoughtfullyatfirst,thencomingoutsodecidedlywiththelastwordsthatitwasevidentthelifeofabedriddensaintwasnotatalltohermind。

"SodoI;andImeantobelievethatyouwillnot。Meantime,wecantrytomakethewaitingasusefulandpleasantaspossible。Thispainfullittlebackwillbeasortofconsciencetoremindyouofwhatyououghttodoandleaveundone,andsoyoucanbelearningobedience。Then,whenthebodyisstrong,itwillhaveformedagoodhabittomakedutyeasier;andmyLucindacanbeasweetexample,evenwhilelyinghere,ifshechooses。"

"CanI？"andJill\'seyeswerefullofsoftertearsasthecomfortable,cheeringwordssankintoherheart,toblossomslowlybyandbyintoherlife,forthiswastobealonglesson,hardtolearn,butveryusefulintheyearstocome。

Whentheboysreturned,aftertheLatinwasrecitedandpeacerestored,JackshowedherarecoveredstamppromptlypaidbyFrank,whowasasjustashewassevere,andJillaskedfortheoldredone,thoughshedidnottellwhyshewantedit,norshowitputawayinthespelling—book,alittlesealuponapromisemadetobekept。

MerryandMollyNowletusseehowtheothermissionariesgotonwiththeirtasks。

FarmerGrantwasathrifty,well—to—doman,anxioustogivehischildrengreateradvantagesthanhehadenjoyed,andtoimprovethefineplaceofwhichhewasjustlyproud。Mrs。Grantwasanotablehousewife,asambitiousandindustriousasherhusband,buttoobusytospendanytimeontheelegancicsoflife,thoughalwaysreadytohelpthepoorandsicklikeagoodneighborandChristianwoman。Thethreesons——Tom,Dick,andHarry——werebigfellowsofseventeen,nineteen,andtwenty—one;thefirsttwoonthefarm,andtheelderinastorejustsettingupforhimself。

Kind—heartedbutrough—manneredyouths,wholovedMerryverymuch,butteasedhersadlyabouther"fineladyairs,"astheycalledherdaintywaysandloveofbeauty。

Merrywasathoughtfulgirl,fullofinnocentfancies,refinedtastes,andromanticdreams,inwhichnoonesympathizedathome,thoughshewasthepetofthefamily。Itdidseem,toanoutsider,asifthedelicatelittlecreaturehadgottherebymistake,forshelookedverylikeatea—roseinafieldofcloveranddandelions,whosehighestaiminlifewastofeedcowsandhelpmakerootbeer。

Whenthegirlstalkedoverthenewsociety,itpleasedMerryverymuch,andshedecidednotonlytotryandloveworkbetter,buttoconvertherfamilytoalikingforprettythings,asshecalledherownmorecultivatedtastes。

"Iwillbeginatonce,andshowthemthatIdon\'tmeantoshirkmyduty,thoughIdowanttobenice,"thoughtshe,asshesatatsupperonenightandlookedabouther,planningherfirstmove。

Notaverycheeringprospectforaloverofthebeautiful,certainly,forthebigkitchen,thoughasneataswax,hadnothinglovelyinit,exceptaredgeraniumbloomingatthewindow。Norwerethepeopleallthatcouldbedesired,insomerespects,astheysataboutthetableshovellinginporkandbeanswiththeirknives,drinkingteafromtheirsaucers,andlaughingoutwithahearty"Haw,haw,"

whenanythingamusedthem。Yettheboyswerehandsome,strongspecimens,thefarmerahale,benevolent—lookingman,thehousewifeapleasant,sharp—eyedmatron,whoseemedtofindcomfortinlookingoftenatthebrightfaceatherelbow,withthebroadforehead,cleareyes,sweetmouth,andquietvoicethatcamelikemusicinamongtheloudmasculineones,orthequick,nervoustonesofawomanalwaysinahurry。

Merry\'sfacewassothoughtfulthateveningthatherfatherobservedit,for,whenathome,hewatchedherasonewatchesakitten,gladtoseeanythingsopretty,young,andhappy,atitsplay。

"Littledaughterhasgotsomethingonhermind,Imistrust。Comeandtellfatherallaboutit,"hesaid,withasoundingslaponhisbroadkneeasheturnedhischairfromthetabletotheuglystove,wherethreepairsofwetbootssteamedunderneath,andagreatkettleofciderapple—saucesimmeredabove。

"WhenI\'vehelpedclearup,I\'llcomeandtalk。Now,mother,yousitdownandrest;RoxyandIcandoeverything,"answeredMerry,pattingtheoldrocking—chairsoinvitinglythatthetiredwomancouldnotresist,especiallyaswatchingthekettlegaveheranexcuseforobeying。

"Well,Idon\'tcareifI\'do,forI\'vebeenonmyfeetsincefiveo\'clock。Besureyoucoverthingsup,andshutthebutterydoor,andputthecatdowncellar,andsiftyourmeal。I\'llseetothebuckwheatslastthingbeforeIgotobed。"

Mrs。Grantsubsidedwithherknitting,forherhandswereneveridle;Tomtiltedhischairbackagainstthewallandpickedhisteethwithhispen—knife;Dickgotoutalittlepotofgrease,tomakethebootswater—tight;andHarrysatdownatthesmalltabletolookoverhisaccounts,withanimportantair——foreveryoneoccupiedthisroom,andtheworkwasdoneintheout—kitchenbehind。

Merryhatedclearingup,butdutifullydideverydistastefultask,andkepthereyeoncarelessRoxytillallwasinorder;thenshegladlywenttoperchonherfather\'sknee,seeinginallthefacesaboutherthesilentwelcometheyalwaysworeforthe"littleone。

"Yes,Idowantsomething,butIknowyouwillsayitissilly,"shebegan,asherfatherpinchedherbloomingcheek,withthewishthathispeacheswouldeverlookhalfaswell。

"Shouldn\'twonderifitwasadollnow";andMr。Grantstrokedherheadwithanindulgentsmile,asifshewasaboutsixinsteadoffifteen。

"Why,father,youknowIdon\'t！Ihaven\'tplayedwithdolliesforyearsandyears。No;Iwanttofixupmyroompretty,likeJill\'s。I\'lldoitallmyself,andonlywantafewthings,forIdon\'texpectittolookasniceashers。"

IndignationgaveMerrycouragetostateherwishesboldly,thoughsheknewtheboyswouldlaugh。Theydid,andhermothersaidinatoneofsurprise,"Why,child,whatmorecanyouwant？I\'msureyourroomisalwaysasneatasanewpin,thankstoyourbringingup,andItoldyoutohaveafiretherewheneveryouwantedto。"

"Letmehavesomeoldthingsoutofthegarret,andI\'llshowyouwhatIwant。Itisneat,butsobareanduglyIhatetobethere。Idosolovesomethingprettytolookat！"andMerrygavealittleshiverofdisgustassheturnedhereyesawayfromthelargegreasybootDickwasholdinguptobesureitwaswelllubricatedallround。

"SodoI,andthat\'safact。Icouldn\'tgetonwithoutmyprettygirlhere,anyway。Why,shetouchesuptheoldplacebetterthanadozenflower—potsinfullblow,"saidthefarmer,ashiseyewentfromthescarletgeraniumtothebrightyoungfacesonearhisown。

"IwishIhadadozeninthesitting—roomwindow。Mothersaystheyarenottidy,butI\'dkeepthemneat,andIknowyou\'dlikeit,"

brokeinMerrry,gladofthechancetogetoneofthelong—desiredwishesofherheartfulfilled。

"I\'llfetchyousomenexttimeIgoovertoBallad\'s。Tellmewhatyouwant,andwe\'llhaveaposybedsomewhereround,seeifwedon\'t,"saidherfather,dimlyunderstandingwhatshewanted。

"Now,ifmothersaysImayfixmyroom,Ishallbesatisfied,andI\'lldomychoreswithoutabitoffuss,toshowhowgratefulIam,"

saidthegirl,thankingherfatherwithakiss,andsmilingathermothersowistfullythatthegoodwomancouldnotrefuse。

"Youmayhaveanythingyoulikeoutofthebluechest。There\'salotofthingstherethatthemothsgotatafterGrandmadied,andI

couldn\'tbeartothroworgive\'emaway。Trimupyourroomasyoulike,andmindyoudon\'tforgetyourpartofthebargain,"answeredMrs。Grant,seeingprofitintheplan。

"Iwon\'t;I\'llworkallthemorningto—morrow,andintheafternoonI\'llgetreadytoshowyouwhatIcallanice,prettyroom,"

answeredMerry,lookingsopleaseditseemedasifanotherflowerhadblossomedinthelargebarekitchen。

Shekeptherword,andtheverystormyafternoonwhenJillgotintotrouble,Merrywasworkingbusilyatherlittlebower。Inthebluechestshefoundavarietyoftreasures,andignoringthemothholes,usedthemtothebestadvantage,tryingtoimitatethesimplecomfortwithatouchofelegancewhichprevailedinMrs。Minot\'sbackbedroom。

Threefadedred—moreencurtainswentupatthewindowsoverthechillypapershades,givingapleasantglowtothebarewalls。Aredquiltwithwhitestars,rathertheworseformanywashings,coveredthebed,andagaycloththetable,whereajudiciousarrangementofbooksandbasketsconcealedthespots。Thelittleair—tightstovewasbanished,andapairofancientandironsshoneinthefire—light。

Grandma\'slastandlargestbraidedruglayonthehearth,andherbrasscandlesticksadornedthebureau,overthemirrorofwhichwasfestoonedawhitemuslinskirt,tiedupwithMerry\'sredsash。

Thispieceofelegancegavethelasttouchtoherroom,shethought,andshewasveryproudofit,settingforthallhersmallstoreoftrinketsinalargeshell,withanemptyscentbottle,andacleantidyoverthepincushion。Onthewallsshehungthreeold—fashionedpictures,whichsheventuredtoborrowfromthegarrettillbettercouldbefound。Oneamourningpiece,withaverytallladyweepingonanurninagroveofwillows,andtwosmallboysinkneebreechesandfunnylittlesquaretailstotheircoats,lookinglikecherubsinlargefrills。Theotherwasasgoodasabonfire,beinganeruptionofVesuvius,andveryluridindeed,fortheBayofNapleswasboilinglikeapot,theredskyrainingrocks,andafewdistractedpeoplelyingflatupontheshore。ThethirdwasareallyprettysceneofchildrendancingroundaMay—pole,forthoughnearlyahundredyearsold,thelittlemaidssmiledandtheboysprancedasgaylyasiftheflowerstheycarriedwerestillaliveandsweet。

"NowI\'llcallthemalltosee,andsaythatitispretty。ThenI\'llenjoyit,andcomeherewhenthingslookdismalandbareeverywhereelse,"saidMerry,whenatlastitwasdone。Shehadworkedalltheafternoon,andonlyfinishedatsuppertime,sothecandleshadtobelightedthatthetoilettemightlookitsbest,andimpressthebeholderswithanideaoftrueelegance。Unfortunately,thefiresmokedalittle,andawindowwassetajartocleartheroom;anevildisposedgustblewin,waftingthethindraperywithinreachofthelight,andwhenMerrythrewopenthedoorproudlythinkingtodisplayhersuccess,shewashorrifiedtofindtheroominablaze,andhalfherlaborallinvain。

Theconflagrationwasoverinaminute,however,fortheboystoredownthemuslinandstampedoutthefirewithmuchlaughter,whileMrs。Grantbewailedthedamagetohercarpet,andpoorMerrytookrefugeinherfather\'sarms,refusingtobecomfortedinspiteofhiskindcommendationof"Grandma\'sfixins。"

Thethirdlittlemissionaryhadthehardesttimeofall,andherfirsteffortswerenotmuchmoresatisfactorynorsuccessfulthantheothers。Herfatherwasawayfrommorningtillnight,andthenhadhispapertoread,bookstokeep,or"amantoseedowntown,"sothat,afterahastywordattea,hesawnomoreofthechildrentillanotherevening,astheywereseldomupathisearlybreakfast。Hethoughttheywerewelltakencareof,forMissBathshebaDaweswasanenergetic,middle—agedspinsterwhenshecameintothefamily,andhadbeentherefifteenyears,sohedidnotobserve,whatawomanwouldhaveseenatonce,thatMissBatwasgettingoldandcareless,andeverythingaboutthehousewasatsixesandsevens。Shetookgoodcareofhim,andthoughtshehaddoneherdutyifshegotthreecomfortablemeals,nursedthechildrenwhentheywereill,andsawthatthehousedidnotburnup。SoMariaLouisaandNapoleonBonapartegotonastheycould,withoutthetendercaresofamother。Mollyhadbeenahappy—go—luckychild,contentedwithherpets,herfreedom,andlittleBootolove;butnowshewasjustbeginningtoseethattheywerenotlikeotherchildren,andtofeelashamedofit。

"Papaisbusy,butMissBatoughttoseetous;sheispaidforit,andgoodnessknowsshehasaneasytimenow,forifIaskhertodoanything,shegroansoverherbones,andtellsmeyoungfolksshouldwaitonthemselves。ItakeallthecareofBoooffherhands,butIcan\'twashmyownthings,andhehasn\'tadecenttrousertohisblessedlittlelegs。I\'dtellpapa,butitwouldn\'tdoanygood;

he\'donlysay,\'Yes,child,yes,I\'llattendtoit,\'andneverdoathing。"

ThisusedtobeMolly\'slament,whensomeespeciallytryingeventoccurred,andifthegirlswerenottheretocondolewithher,shewouldretiretotheshed—chamber,callherninecatsabouther,and,sittingintheoldbushelbasket,pullherhairaboutherears,andscoldallalone。Thecatslearnedtounderstandthishabit,andnoblydidtheirbesttodispelthegloomwhichnowandthenobscuredthesunshineoftheirlittlemistress。Someofthemwouldcreepintoherlapandpurrtillthecomfortablesoundsoothedherirritation;thesedateelderssatatherfeetblinkingwithsuchwiseandsympatheticfaces,thatshefeltasifhalfadozenSolomonsweregivingherthesagestadvice;whilethekittensfriskedabout,cuttinguptheirdrollestcaperstillshelaughedinspiteofherself。

Whenthelaughcame,theworstofthefitwasover,andshesooncheeredup,dismissingtheconsolerswithapatallround,afeastofgoodthingsfromMissBat\'slarder,andtheusualspeech:

"Well,dears,it\'sofnousetoworry。Iguessweshallgetalongsomehow,ifwedon\'tfret。"

Withwhichwiseresolution,MollywouldleaveherretreatandfreshenupherspiritsbyarowontheriverorarompwithBoo,whichalwaysfinishedthecase。Now,however,shewasboundtotrythenewplananddosomethingtowardreformingnotonlytheboy\'scondition,butthedisorderanddiscomfortofhome。

"I\'llplayitisSiam,andthisthehouseofanative,andI\'mcometoshowthefolkshowtolivenicely。MissBatwon\'tknowwhattomakeofit,andIcan\'ttellher,soIshallgetsomefunoutofit,anyway,"thoughtMolly,asshesurveyedthedining—roomthedayhermissionbegan。

Theprospectwasnotcheering;and,ifthenativesofSiamliveinsuchconfusion,itishightimetheywereattendedto。Thebreakfast—tablestillstoodasitwasleft,withslopsofcoffeeonthecloth;bitsofbread,egg—shells,andpotato—skinslayabout,andonelonelysausagewascastawayinthemiddleofalargeplatter。Thefurniturewasdusty,stoveuntidy,andthecarpetlookedasifcrumbshadbeenscatteredtochickenswhodeclinedtheirbreakfast。Boowassittingonthesofa,withhisarmthroughaholeinthecover,huntingforsomelosttreasureputawaythereforsafekeeping,likealittlemagpieashewas。Mollyfanciedshewashedanddressedhimwellenough;butto—daysheseemedtoseemoredearly,andsighedasshethoughtofthehardjobinstoreforherifshegavehimthethoroughwashingheneeded,andcombedoutthatcurlymopofhair。

"I\'llclearupfirstanddothatbyandby。Ioughttohaveanicelittletubandgoodtowels,likeMrs。Minot,andIwill,too,ifIbuythemmyself,"shesaid,pilingupcupswithanenergythatthreateneddestructiontohandles。

MissBat,whowastrailingaboutthekitchen,withherheadpinnedupinalittleplaidshawl,wassosurprisedbythedemandforapanofhotwaterandfourcleantowels,thatshenearlydroppedhersnuff—box,chiefcomfortofherlazysoul。

"Whatnewwhimseynow？Generally,thedishesstandroundtillI

havetimetopick\'emup,andyouareoffcoastingorcareeringsomewhere。Well,thistidyfitwon\'tlastlong,soImayaswellmakethemostofit,"saidMissBat,asshehandedouttherequiredarticles,andthenpushedherspectaclesfromthetipofhersharpnosetohersharperblackeyesforagoodlookatthegirlwhostoodprimlybeforeher,withacleanaprononandherhairbraidedupinsteadofflyingwildlyabouthershoulders。

"Umph！"wasallthecommentthatMissBatmadeonthisunusualneatness,andshewentonscrapinghersaucepans,whileMollyreturnedtoherwork,verywellpleasedwiththeeffectofherfirststep,forshefeltthatthebewildermentofMissBatwouldbeaconstantinspirationtofreshefforts。

Anhourofhardworkproducedanagreeablechangeintheabodeofthenative,forthetablewascleared,roomsweptanddusted,firebrightened,andtheholesinthesofa—coveringwerepinneduptilltimecouldbefoundtomendthem。Tobesure,rollsoflintlayincorners,smearsofasheswereonthestovehearth,andduststilllurkedonchairroundsandtablelegs。Buttoomuchmustnotbeexpectedofanewconvert,sotheyoungmissionarysatdowntorest,wellpleasedandreadyforanotherattemptassoonasshecoulddecideinwhatdirectionitshouldbemade。ShequailedbeforeBooasshelookedattheunconsciousinnocentpeacefullyplayingwiththespotteddog,nowbereftofhistail,andthelonesausagewithwhichhewasattemptingtofeedthehungryanimal,whoseredmouthalwaysgapedformore。

"Itwillbeanawfuljob,andheissohappyIwon\'tplaguehimyet。

GuessI\'llgoandputmyroomtorightsfirst,andpickupsomecleanclothestoputonhim,ifheisaliveafterIgetthroughwithhim,"thoughtMolly,foreseeingastormypassagefortheboy,whohatedabathasmuchassomepeoplehateatripacrosstheAtlantic。

Upshewent,andfindingthefireoutfeltdiscouraged,thoughtshewouldrestalittlemore,soretiredundertheblanketstoreadoneoftheChristmasbooks。Thedinner—bellrangwhileshewasstillwanderinghappilyin"Nelly\'sSilverMine,"andsherandowntofindthatBoohadlaidoutarailroadallacrossherneatroom,usingbitsofcoalforsleepersandbooksforrails,overwhichhewasdraggingtheyellowsledladenwithadismayedkitten,thetaillessdog,andtheremainsofthesausage,evidentlyonitswaytothetomb,forBootookbitesatitnowandthen,nootherlunchbeingofferedhim。

"Ohdear！whycan\'tboysplaywithoutmakingsuchamess,"

sighedMolly,pickingupthefeathersfromthedusterwithwhichBoohadbeentryingtomakea"cocky—doo"ofthehaplessdog。"I\'llwashhimrightafterdinner,andthatwillkeephimoutofmischiefforawhile,"shethought,astheyoungengineerunsuspiciouslyproceededtoornamenthisalreadycrockycountenancewithsquash,cranberrysauce,andgravy,tillhelookedmorelikeaFijichiefinfullwar—paintthanaChristianboy。

"Iwanttwopailsofhotwater,please,MissBat,andthebigtub,"