第11章

"That\'syou,"whisperedJack,throwingthewhitecarnationatJill,andshethrewbacktheredone,withherfingeronherlips,forthetalewasveryinterestingnow。

"Shedidnotsuffermuchafteratime,butshescoldedandcried,andcouldnotberesigned,becauseshewasaprisoner。Thequeentriedtohelpher,butshecouldnotdomuch;theprinceswerekind,buttheyhadtheirbooksandplays,andwereawayagooddeal。

Somefriendsshehadcameoftentoseeher,butstillshebeatherwingsagainstthebars,likeawildbirdinacage,andsoonherspiritswereallgone,anditwassadtoseeher。"

"WherewasyourSaintLucy？Ithoughtitwasabouther,askedJack,whodidnotliketohaveJill\'spasttroublesdweltupon,sincehiswerenot。

"Sheiscoming。Saintsarenotborn——theyaremadeaftermanytrialsandtribulations,"answeredhismother,lookingatthefireasifithelpedhertospinherlittlestory。"Well,thepoorchildusedtosingsometimestowhileawaythelonghours——sadsongsmostly,andoneamongthemwhichthequeentaughtherwas\'SweetPatience,Come。\'

"Thissheusedtosingagreatdealafterawhile,neverdreamingthatPatiencewasanangelwhocouldhearandobey。Butitwasso;

andonenight,whenthegirlhadlulledherselftosleepwiththatsong,theangelcame。Nobodysawthelovelyspiritwithtendereyes,andavoicethatwaslikebalm。Nooneheardtherustleofwingsasshehoveredoverthelittlebedandtouchedthelips,theeyes,thehandsofthesleeper,andthenflewaway,leavingthreegiftsbehind。Thegirldidnotknowwhy,butafterthatnightthesongsgrewgayer,thereseemedtobemoresunshineeverywherehereyeslooked,andherhandswerenevertiredofhelpingothersinvariouspretty,useful,orpleasantways。Slowlythewildbirdceasedtobeatagainstthebars,butsatinitscageandmademusicforallinthepalace,tillthequeencouldnotdowithoutit,thepoormothercheeredup,andtheprincescalledthegirltheirnightingale。"

"Wasthatthemiracle？"askedJack,forgettingallabouthisslippers,ashewatchedJill\'seyesbrightenandthecolorcomeupinherwhitecheeks。

"Thatwasthemiracle,andPatiencecanworkfargreateronesifyouwilllether。"

"Andthegirl\'snamewasLucy？"

"Yes;theydidnotcallherasaintthen,butshewastryingtobeascheerfulasacertaingoodwomanshehadheardof,andsothequeenhadthatnameforher,thoughshedidnotletherknowitforalongtime。"

"That\'snotbadforaSundaystory,buttheremighthavebeenmoreabouttheprinces,seemstome,"wasFrank\'scriticism,asJilllayverystill,tryingtohideherfacebehindthecarnation,forshehadnowordstotellhowtouchedandpleasedshewastofindthatherlittleeffortstobegoodhadbeenseen,remembered,andnowrewardedinthisway。

Thereismore。

"Thenthestoryisn\'tdone？"criedJack。

"Ohdear,no;themostinterestingthingsaretocome,ifyoucanwaitforthem。"

"Yes,Isee,thisisthemoralpart。Nowkeepstill,andletushavetherest,"commandedFrank,whiletheotherscomposedthemselvesforthesequel,suspectingthatitwasrathernice,becauseMamma\'ssoberfacechanged,andhereyeslaughedastheylookedatthefire。

"Theelderprincewasveryfondofdrivingdragons,forthepeopleofthatcountryusedthesefierymonstersashorses。"

"Andgotrunawaywith,didn\'the？"laughedJack,adding,withgreatinterest,"Whatdidtheotherfellowdo？"

"Hewentaboutfightingotherpeople\'sbattles,helpingthepoor,andtryingtodogood。Buthelackedjudgment,soheoftengotintotrouble,andwasinsuchahurrythathedidnotalwaysstoptofindoutthewisestway。Aswhenhegaveawayhisbestcoattoabeggarboy,insteadoftheoldonewhichheintendedtogive。

"Isay,thatisn\'tfair,mother！Neitherofthemwasnew,andtheboyneededthebestmorethanI\'did,andIworetheoldoneallwinter,didn\'tI？"askedJack,whohadratherexultedoverFrank,andwasnowtakendownhimself。

"Yes,youdid,mydear;anditwasnotaneasythingformydandiprattodo。Nowlisten,andI\'lltellyouhowtheybothlearnedtobewiser。Theelderprincesoonfoundthatthebigdragonsweretoomuchforhim,andsetabouttraininghisownlittleone,whonowandthenranawaywithhim。ItsnamewasWill,agoodservant,butabadmaster;sohelearnedtocontrolit,andintimethisgavehimgreatpoweroverhimself,andfittedhimtobeakingoverothers。"

"Thankyou,mother;I\'llremembermypartofthemoral。NowgiveJackhis,"saidFrank,wholikedthedragonepisode,ashehadbeenwrestlingwithhisownoflate,andfoundithardtomanage。

"Hehadafineexamplebeforehiminafriend,andhefolloweditmorereasonablytillhegrewabletousewiselyoneofthebestandnoblestgiftsofGod——benevolence。"

"Nowtellaboutthegirl。Wastheremoretothatpartofthestory？"

askedJack,wellpleasedwithhismoral,asittookEdinlikewise。

"Thatisthebestofall,butitseemsasifInevershouldgettoit。

AfterPatiencemadeLucysweetandcheerful,shebegantohaveacuriouspoweroverthoseabouther,andtoworklittlemiraclesherself,thoughshedidnotknowit。Thequeenlearnedtolovehersodearlyshecouldnotlethergo;shecheeredupallherfriendswhentheycamewiththeirsmalltroubles;theprincesfoundbrighteyes,willinghands,andakindheartalwaysattheirservice,andfelt,withoutquiteknowingwhy,thatitwasgoodforthemtohaveagentlelittlecreaturetocarefor;sotheysoftenedtheirroughmanners,loudvoices,andcarelessways,forhersake,andwhenitwasproposedtotakeherawaytoherownhometheycouldnotgiveherup,butsaidshemuststaylonger,didn\'tthey？"

"I\'dliketoseethemsayinganythingelse,"saidFrank,whileJacksatuptodemandfiercely,"WhotalksabouttakingJillaway？"

"Lucy\'smotherthoughtsheoughttogo,andsaidso,butthequeentoldherhowmuchgooditdidthemalltohaveherthere,andbeggedthedearwomantoletherlittlecottageandcomeandbehousekeeperinthepalace,forthequeenwasgettinglazy,andlikedtositandread,andtalkandsewwithLucy,betterthantolookafterthings。"

"Andshesaidshewould？"criedJill,claspingherhandsinheranxiety,forshehadlearnedtolovehercagenow。

"Yes。"Mrs。Minothadnotimetosaymore,foroneoftheredslippersflewupintheair,andJackhadtoclapbothhandsoverhismouthtosuppressthe"hurrah！"thatnearlyescaped。Franksaid,"That\'sgood！"andnoddedwithhismostcordialsmileatJillwhopulledherselfupwithcheeksnowasrosyastheredcarnation,andalittlecatchinherbreathasshesaidtoherself,"It\'stoolovelytobetrue。"

"That\'safirst—rateendtoaverygoodstory,"beganJack,withgravedecision,asheputonhisslipperandsatuptopatJill\'shand,wishingitwasnotquitesolikealittleclaw。

"That\'snottheend";andMamma\'seyeslaughedmorethaneverasthreeastonishedfacesturnedtoher,andthreevoicescriedout,"Stillmore？"

"Theverybestofall。Youmustknowthat,whileLucywasbusyforothers,shewasnotforgotten,andwhenshewasexpectingtolieonherbedthroughthesummer,planswerebeingmadeforallsortsofpleasantchanges。Firstofall,shewastohaveanicelittlebracetosupportthebackwhichwasgrowingbettereveryday;

then,asthewarmweathercameon,shewastogoout,orlieonthepiazza;andbyandby,whenschoolwasdone,shewastogowiththequeenandtheprincesforamonthortwodowntothesea—side,wherefreshairandsaltwaterweretobuildherupinthemostdelightfulway。There,now！isn\'tthatthebestendingofall？"andMammapausedtoreadheranswerinthebrightfacesoftwoofthelisteners,forJillhidhersinthepillow,andlayquitestill,asifitwastoomuchforher。

"Thatwillberegularlysplendid！I\'llrowyouallabout——boatingissomucheasierthanriding,andIlikeitonsaltwater,"saidFrank,goingtositonthearmofthesofa,quiteexcitedbythecharmsofthenewplan。

"AndI\'llteachyoutoswim,androllyouoverthebeach,andgetsea—weedandshells,andnoendofnicethings,andwe\'llallcomehomeasstrongaslions,"addedJack,scramblingupasifabouttosetoffatonce。

"Thedoctorsaysyouhavebeendoingfinelyoflate,andthebracewillcometo—morrow,andthefirstreallymilddayyouaretohaveabreathoffreshair。Won\'tthatbegood？"askedMrs。Minot,hopingherstoryhadnotbeentoointeresting。

"Isshecrying？"saidJack,muchconcernedashepattedthepillowinhismostsoothingway,whileFrankliftedonecurlafteranothertoseewhatwashiddenunderneath。

Nottears,fortwoeyessparkledbehindthefingers,thenthehandscamedownlikecloudsfrombeforethesun,andJill\'sfaceshoneoutsobrightandhappyitdidone\'sheartgoodtoseeit。

"I\'mnotcrying,"shesaidwithalaughwhichwasfullerofblithemusicthananysongshesung。"Butitwassosplendid,itsortoftookmybreathawayforaminute。IthoughtIwasn\'tanybetter,andnevershouldbe,andImadeupmymindIwouldn\'task,itwouldbesohardforanyonetotellmeso。NowIseewhythedoctormademestandup,andtoldmetogetmybasketsreadytogoa—Maying。Ithoughthewasinfun;didhereallymeanIcouldgo？"askedJill,expectingtoomuch,forawordofencouragementmadeherashopefulasshehadbeendespondentbefore。

"No,dear,notsosoonasthat。Itwillbemonths,probably,beforeyoucanwalkandrun,asyouusedto;buttheywillsoonpass。Youneedn\'tmindaboutMay—day;itisalwaystoocoldforflowers,andyouwillfindmorehereamongyourownplants,thanonthehills,tofillyourbaskets,"answeredMrs。Minot,hasteningtosuggestsomethingpleasanttobeguilethetimeofprobation。

"Icanwait。Monthsarenotyears,andifI\'mtrulygettingwell,everythingwillseembeautifulandeasytome,"saidJill,layingherselfdownagain,withthepatientlookshehadlearnedtowear,andgatheringupthescatteredcarnationstoenjoytheirspicybreath,asifthefairieshiddentherehadtaughthersomeoftheirsweetsecrets。

"Dearlittlegirl,ithasbeenalong,hardtrialforyou,butitiscomingtoanend,andIthinkyouwillfindthatithasnotbeentimewasted,Idon\'twantyoutobeasaintquiteyet,butIamsureagentlerJillwillriseupfromthatsofathantheonewholaydownthereinDecember。"

"HowcouldIhelpgrowingbetter,whenyouweresogoodtome？"

criedJill,puttingupbotharms,asMrs。MinotwenttotakeFrank\'splace,andheretiredtothefire,theretostandsurveyingthescenewithcalmapproval。

"Youhavedonequiteasmuchforus;soweareeven。Iprovedthattoyourmother,andsheisgoingtoletthelittlehouseandtakecareofthebigoneforme,whileIborrowyoutokeepmehappyandmaketheboysgentleandkind。Thatisthebargain,andwegetthebestofit,"saidMrs。Minot,lookingwellpleased,whileJackadded,"That\'sso！"andFrankobservedwithanairofconviction,\'Wecouldn\'tgetonwithoutJill,possibly。"

"CanIdoallthat？I\'didn\'tknowIwasofanyuse。Ionlytriedtobegoodandgrateful,fortheredidn\'tseemtobeanythingelseIcoulddo,"saidJill,wonderingwhytheywereallsofondofher。

"Norealtryingiseverinvain。Itislikethespringrain,andflowersaresuretofollowingoodtime。ThethreegiftsPatiencegaveSaintLucywerecourage,cheerfulness,andlove,andwiththeseonecanworkthesweetestmiraclesintheworld,asyousee,"andMrs。

Minotpointedtotheprettyroomanditshappyinmates。

"AmIreallytheleastbitlikethatgoodLucinda？Itriedtobe,butI

didn\'tthinkIwas,"askedJillsoftly。

"Youareverylikeherinallwaysbutone。Shedidnotgetwell,andyouwill。"

Ashortanswer,butitsatisfiedJilltoherheart\'score,andthatnight,whenshelayinbed,shethoughttoherself:"HowcuriousitisthatI\'vebeenasortofmissionarywithoutknowingit！Theyallloveandthankme,andwon\'tletmego,soIsupposeImusthavedonesomething,butIdon\'tknowwhat,excepttryingtobegoodandpleasant。"

Thatwasthesecret,andJillfounditoutjustwhenitwasmostgratefulasarewardforpastefforts,mosthelpfulasanencouragementtowardtheconstantwell—doingwhichcanmakeevenalittlegirlajoyandcomforttoallwhoknowandloveher。

Chapter16UpatMerry\'s"Nowflyround,child,andgetyoursweepingdoneupsmartandearly。"

"Yes,mother。"

"Ishallwantyoutohelpmeaboutthebaking,byandby。"

"Yes,mother。"

"Roxyiscleaningthecellar—closets,soyou\'llhavetogetthevegetablesreadyfordinner。Fatherwantsaboileddish,andIshallbesobusyIcan\'tseetoit。"

"Yes,mother。"

Acheerfulvoicegavethethreeanswers,butitcostMerryanefforttokeepitso,forshehadcertainlittleplansofherownwhichmadetheworkbeforeherunusuallydistasteful。Saturdayalwayswasatryingday,for,thoughshelikedtoseeroomsinorder,shehatedtosweep,asnospeckescapedMrs。Grant\'seye,andonlythegoodold—fashionedbroom,wieldedbyapairofstrongarms,wasallowed。Bakingwasanothertrial:shelovedgoodbreadanddelicatepastry,butdidnotenjoyburningherfaceoverahotstove,daubingherhandswithdough,orspendinghoursrollingoutcookiesfortheboys;whilea"boileddinner"washerespecialhorror,asitwasnotelegant,andthewashingofvegetableswasajobshealwaysshirkedwhenshecould。

However,havingmadeuphermindtodoherworkwithoutcomplaint,sheranupstairstoputonherdust—cap,tryingtolookasifsweepingwasthejoyofherlife。

"Itissuchalovelyday,I\'didwanttorakemygarden,andhaveawalkwithMolly,andfinishmybooksoIcangetanother,"shesaidwithasigh,assheleanedoutoftheopenwindowforabreathoftheunusuallymildair。

Downintheten—acrelottheboyswerecartingandspreadingloam;

outinthebarnherfatherwasgettinghisplowsready;overthehillrosethesmokeofthedistantfactory,andtheriverthatturnedthewheelswasglidingthroughthemeadows,wheresoontheblackbirdswouldbesinging。OldBesspawedtheground,eagertobeoff;thegrayhenswerescratchingbusilyallabouttheyard;

eventhegreenthingsinthegardenwerepushingthroughthebrownearth,softenedbyAprilrains,andtherewasashimmerofsunshineoverthewidelandscapethatmadeeveryfamiliarobjectbeautifulwithhintsofspring,andtheactivityitbrings。

SomethingmadetheoldnurseryhymncomeintoMerry\'shead,andhummingtoherself,"InworksoflabororofskillIwouldbebusytoo,"

shetiedonhercap,shoulderedherbroom,andfelltoworksoenergeticallythatshesoonsweptherwaythroughthechambers,downthefrontstairstotheparlordoor,leavingfreshnessandorderbehindherasshewent。

Shealwaysgroanedwhensheenteredthatapartment,andgotoutofitagainassoonaspossible,foritwas,likemostcountryparlors,aprimandchillyplace,withlittlebeautyandnocomfort。

Blackhorse—hairfurniture,veryslipperyandhard,stoodagainstthewall;thetablehaditsgiftbooks,albums,worstedmatanduglylamp;themantel—pieceitschinavases,pinkshells,andclockthatneverwent;thegaycarpetwaskeptdistressinglybrightbyclosedshutterssixdaysoutoftheseven,andageneralairofgo—to—

meetingsolemnitypervadedtheroom。Merrylongedtomakeitprettyandpleasant,buthermotherwouldallowofnochangethere,sothegirlgaveupherdreamsofrugsandhangings,finepicturesandtastefulornaments,anddutifullyaired,dusted,andshutupthisawfulapartmentonceaweek,privatelyresolvingthat,ifsheeverhadaparlorofherown,itshouldnotbeasdismalasatomb。

Thedining—roomwasaverydifferentplace,forhereMerryhadbeenallowedtodoassheliked,yetsogradualhadbeenthechange,thatshewouldhavefounditdifficulttotellhowitcameabout。Itseemedtobeginwiththeflowers,forherfatherkepthiswordaboutthe"posypots,"andgotenoughtomakequitealittleconservatoryinthebay—window,whichwassufficientlylargeforthreerowsallround,andhanging—basketsoverhead。Beingdiscouragedbyherfirstfailure,Merrygaveuptryingtohavethingsniceeverywhere,andcontentedherselfwithmakingthatonenooksoprettythattheboyscalledither"bower。"EvenbusyMrs。Grantownedthatplantswerenotsomessyassheexpected,andthefannerwasnevertiredofwatching"littledaughter"asshesatatworkthere,withherlowchairandtablefullofbooks。

Thelamphelped,also,forMerrysetupherown,andkeptitsowelltrimmedthatitburnedclearandbright,shiningonthegreenarchofivyoverhead,andonthenasturtiumvinesframingtheoldglass,andpeepingattheirgaylittlefaces,andattheprettyyounggirl,sopleasantlythatfirstherfathercametoreadhispaperbyit,thenhermotherslippedintorestontheloungeinthecorner,andfinallytheboyshoveredaboutthedoorasifthe"settin\'—room"hadgrownmoreattractivethanthekitchen。

Buttheopenfiredidmorethananythingelsetowinandholdthemall,asitseldomfailstodowhentheblackdemonofanairtightstoveisbanishedfromthehearth。Aftertheroomwascleanedtillitshone,Merrybeggedtohavethebrassandironsputin,andofferedtokeepthemasbrightasgoldifhermotherwouldconsent。Sothegreatlogswerekindled,andtheflameswentdancingupthechimneyasifgladtobesetfreefromtheirprison。

Itchangedthewholeroomlikemagic,andnoonecouldresistthedesiretoenjoyitscheerycomfort。Thefarmer\'sthree—corneredleathernchairsoonstoodononeside,andmother\'srockerontheother,astheytoastedtheirfeetanddozedorchattedinthepleasantwarmth。

Theboys\'slipperswerealwaysreadyonthehearth;andwhenthebigbootswereonceoff,theynaturallysettleddownaboutthetable,wherethetalllamp,withitsprettyshadeofpressedautumnleaves,burnedbrightly,andthebooksandpaperslayreadytotheirhandsinsteadofbeingtuckedoutofsightinthecloset。Theywerebeginningtoseethat"Merry\'snotions"hadsomesenseinthem,sincetheyweremadecomfortable,andgood—naturedlytooksomepainstopleaseherinvariousways。Tombrushedhishairandwashedhishandsnicelybeforehecametotable。Dicktriedtolowerhisboisterouslaughter,andHarryneversmokedinthesitting—room。EvenRoxyexpressedherpleasureinseeing"thingskindofsprucedup,"andMerry\'sgentletreatmentofthehard—workingdrudgewonherheartentirely。

Thegirlwasthinkingofthesechangesasshewateredherflowers,dustedthefurniture,andlaidthefirereadyforkindling;and,whenallwasdone,shestoodaminutetoenjoythepleasantroom,fullofspringsunshine,freshair,andexquisiteorder。Itseemedtogiveherheartformoredistastefullabors,andshefelltoworkatthepiesascheerfullyasifshelikedit。

Mrs。Grantwasflyingaboutthekitchen,gettingtheloavesofbrownandwhitebreadreadyforthebigoven。Roxy\'svoicecameupfromthecellarsinging"BoundingBillows,"withaswashingandscrubbingaccompanimentwhichsuggestedthatshewasactuallyenjoyinga"lifeontheoceanwave。"Merry,inherneatcapandapron,stoodsmilingoverherworkasshedeftlyrolledandclipped,filledandcovered,findingacertainsortofpleasureindoingitwell,andaddinginteresttoitbycrimpingthecrust,makingprettydeviceswithstripsofpasteandstar—shapedprickingsofthefork。

"Good—willgivethskill,"saystheproverb,andevenparticularMrs。

Grantwassatisfiedwhenshepausedtoexaminethepastrywithherexperiencedeye。

"Youareahandychildandacredittoyourbringingup,thoughI

dosayit。ThoseareasprettypiesasI\'dwishtoeat,iftheybakewell,andthere\'snoreasonwhytheyshouldn\'t。"

"MayImakesometartsorrabbitsofthesebits？Theboyslikethem,andIenjoymodellingthissortofthing,"saidMerry,whowastryingtomouldabird,asshehadseenRalphdowithclaytoamuseJillwhilethebustwasgoingon。

"No,dear;there\'snotimeforknick—knacksto—day。Thebeetsoughttobeonthisminute。Runandget\'em,andbesureyouscrapethecarrotswell。"

PoorMerryputawaythedelicatetaskshewasjustbeginningtolike,andtakingapanwentdowncellar,wishingvegetablescouldbegrownwithoutearth,forshehatedtoputherhandsindirtywater。AwordofpraisetoRoxymadethatgratefulscrubberleaveherworktopokeaboutintheroot—cellar,choosing"sechaswasprettymuchofamuchness,elsetheywouldn\'tbileeven";soMerrywassparedthatpartofthejob,andwentuptoscrapeandwashwithoutcomplaint,sinceitwasforfather。Shewasrepaidatnoonbytherelishwithwhichheenjoyedhisdinner,forMerrytriedtomakeevenaboileddishprettybyarrangingthebeets,carrots,turnips,andpotatoesincontrastingcolors,withthebeefhiddenunderthecabbageleaves。

"Now,I\'llrestandreadforanhour,thenI\'llrakemygarden,orrundowntowntoseeMollyandgetsomeseeds,"shethoughttoherself,assheputawaythespoonsandglasses,whichshelikedtowash,thattheymightalwaysbeclearandbright。

"Ifyou\'vedoneallyourownmending,there\'saheapofsockstobelookedover。ThenI\'llshowyouaboutdarningthetablecloths。IdohatetohaveastitchofworkleftovertillMonday,"saidMrs。

Grant,whonevertooknaps,andpridedherselfonsittingdowntoherneedleat3P。M。everyday。

"Yes,mother";andMerrywentslowlyupstairs,feelingthatapartofSaturdayoughttobeaholidayafterbooksandworkalltheweek。Asshebraidedupherhair,hereyefelluponthereflectionofherownfaceintheglass。Notahappynoraprettyonejustthen,andMerrywassounaccustomedtoseeinganyother,thatinvoluntarilythefrownsmootheditselfout,theeyeslosttheirwearylook,thedroopinglipscurvedintoasmile,and,leaningherelbowsonthebureau,sheshookherheadatherself,saying,halfaloud,assheglancedatIvanhoelyingnear,"Youneedn\'tlooksocrossanduglyjustbecauseyoucan\'thavewhatyouwant。Sweeping,baking,anddarningarenotsobadasbeingplaguedwithloversandcarriedoffandburntatthestake,soIwon\'tenvypoorRebeccaherjewelsandcurlsandromantictimes,butmakethebestofmyown。"

Thenshelaughed,andthebrightfacecamebackintothemirror,lookinglikeanoldfriend,andMerrywentondressingwithcare,forshetookpleasureinherownlittlecharms,andfeltasenseofcomfortinknowingthatshecouldalwayshaveoneprettythingtolookatifshekeptherownfacesereneandsweet。Itcertainlylookedsoasitbentoverthepileofbigsockshalfanhourlater,andbrightenedwitheachthatwaslaidaside。Hermothersawit,and,guessingwhysuchwistfulglanceswentfromclocktowindow,kindlyshortenedthetaskoftable—clothdarningbydoingagoodbitherself,beforeputtingitintoMerry\'shands。

Shewasagoodandlovingmotherinspiteofherstrictways,andknewthatitwasbetterforherromanticdaughtertobelearningallthehousewiferylessonsshecouldteachher,thantobereadingnovels,writingverses,orphilanderingaboutwithherheadfullofgirlishfancies,quiteinnocentinthemselves,butnotthestufftoliveon。Soshewiselytaughtthehandsthatpreferredtopickflowers,trimuproomsandmouldbirds,toworkwellwithneedle,broom,androlling—pin;putareceipt—bookbeforetheeyesthatlovedtolaughandweepovertendertales,andkepttheyoungheadandheartsafeandhappywithwholesomeduties,usefulstudies,andsuchharmlesspleasuresasgirlsshouldlove,insteadoflettingthemwastetheirfreshnessinvaguelongings,idledreams,andfrivolouspastimes。

Butitwasoftenhardtothwartthedocilechild,andlatelyshehadseemedtobegrowingupsofastthathermotherbegantofeelanewsortoftendernessforthissweetdaughter,whowasalmostreadytotakeuponherselfthecares,aswellastriumphsanddelights,ofmaidenhood。Somethinginthedroopofthebrownhead,andthequickmotionofthebusyhandwithalittleburnonit,madeitdifficultforMrs。GranttokeepMerryatworkthatday,andhereyewatchedtheclockalmostasimpatientlyasthegirl\'s,forshelikedtoseetheyoungfacebrightenwhenthehourofreleasecame。

"Whatnext？"askedMerry,asthelaststitchwasset,andshestifledasighonhearingtheclockstrikefour,forthesunwasgettinglow,andthelovelyafternoongoingfast,"Onemorejob,ifyouarenottootiredforit。IwantthereceiptfordietdrinkMissDawespromisedme;wouldyouliketorundownandgetitforme,dear？"

"Yes,mother！"andthatanswerwasasblitheasarobin\'schirp,forthatwasjustwhereMerrywantedtogo。

Awaywentthimbleandscissors,andinfiveminutesawaywentMerry,skippingdownthehillwithoutacareintheworld,forahappyheartsatsingingwithin,andeverythingseemedfullofbeauty。

ShehadacapitaltimewithMolly,calledonJill,didhershoppinginthevillage,andhadjustturnedtowalkupthehill,whenRalphEvanscametrampingalongbehindher,lookingsopleasedandproudaboutsomethingthatshecouldnothelpaskingwhatitwas,fortheyweregreatfriends,andMerrythoughtthattobeanartistwasthemostgloriouscareeramancouldchoose。

"Iknowyou\'vegotsomegoodnews,"shesaid,lookingupathimashetouchedhishatandfellintostepwithher,seemingmorecontentedthanbefore。

"Ihave,andwasjustcominguptotellyou,forIwassureyouwouldbeglad。Itisonlyahope,achance,butitissosplendidI

feelasifImustshoutanddance,orflyoverafenceortwo,toletoffsteam。"

"Dotellme,quick;haveyougotanorder？"askedMerry,fullofinterestatonce,forartisticvicissitudeswereveryromantic,andshelikedtohearaboutthem。

"Imaygoabroadintheautumn。"

"Oh,howlovely！"

"Isn\'tit？DavidGermanisgoingtospendayearinRome,tofinishastatue,andwantsmetogoalong。Grandmaiswilling,ascousinMariawantsherforalongvisit,soeverythinglookspromisingandIreallythinkImaygo。"

"Won\'titcostagreatdeal？"askedMerry,who,inspiteofherlittleelegancies,hadagooddealofherthriftymother\'scommonsense。

"Yes;andI\'vegottoearnit。ButIcan——IknowIcan,forI\'vesavedsome,andIshallworkliketenbeaversallsummer。Iwon\'tborrowifIcanhelpit,butIknowsomeonewhowouldlendmefivehundredifIwantedit";andRalphlookedaseagerandsecureasiftheearningoftwicethatsumwasameretriflewhenallthelongingofhislifewasputintohisdailytasks。

"Iwish1hadittogiveyou。Itmustbesosplendidtofeelthatyoucandogreatthingsifyouonlyhavethechance。Andtotravel,andseeallthelovelypicturesandstatues,andpeopleandplacesinItaly。Flowhappyyoumustbe！"andMerry\'seyeshadthewistfullooktheyalwaysworewhenshedreameddreamsoftheworldshelovedtolivein。

"Iam——sohappythatI\'mafraiditneverwillhappen。IfIdogo,I\'llwriteandtellyouallaboutthefinesights,andhowIgeton。

Wouldyoulikemeto？"askedRalph,beginningenthusiasticallyandendingratherbashfully,forheadmiredMerryverymuch,andwasnotquitesurehowthisproposalwouldbereceived。

"IndeedIshould！I\'dfeelsograndtohavelettersfromParisandRome,andyou\'dhavesomuchtotellitwouldbealmostasgoodasgoingmyself,"shesaid,lookingoffintothedaffodilsky,astheypausedaminuteonthehill—toptogetbreath,forbothhadwalkedasfastastheytalked。

"Andwillyouanswertheletters？"askedRalph,watchingtheinnocentface,whichlookedunusuallykindandbeautifultohiminthatsoftlight。

\'Why,yes;I\'dloveto,onlyIshallnothaveanythinginterestingtosay。WhatcanIwriteabout？"andMerrysmiledasshethoughthowdullherletterswouldsoundaftertheexcitingdetailshiswoulddoubtlessgive。

"Writeaboutyourself,andalltherestofthepeopleIknow。

Grandmawillbegone,andIshallwanttohearhowyougeton。"

Ralphlookedveryanxiousindeedtohear,andMerrypromisedshewouldtellallabouttheotherpeople,adding,assheturnedfromtheeveningpeaceandlovelinesstothehouse,whencecametheclatterofmilk—pansandthesmellofcooking,"Inevershouldhaveanythingverynicetotellaboutmyself,forI

don\'tdointerestingthingsasyoudo,andyouwouldn\'tcaretohearaboutschool,andsewing,andmessingroundathome。"