第17章

"Ihaven\'tgotanything。Can\'tsewragstogether;ormakebabyengines,andIhavenolive—stock——yes,Ihavetoo！There\'soldBun。

I\'llsendhim,forthefunofit;hereallyisacuriosity,forheisthebiggestoneIeversaw,andhoppingintothelimehasmadehisfursuchaqueercolor,helookslikeanewsortofrabbit。I\'llcatchandshuthimupbeforehegetswildagain";andoffrushedJacktolureunsusFectinsoldBun,whohadgrowntameduringtheirabsence,intothecagewhichhedetested。

Theyalllaughedathisardor,butthefancypleasedthem;andasMammasawnoreasonwhytheirlittleworksofartshouldnotbesent,Frankfelltoworkonhismodel,andJillresolvedtofinishherquiltatonce,whileMrs。MinotwentofftoseeMr。Actonaboutthehoursandstudiesfortheboys。

Inaweekortwo,theyoungpeoplewerealmostresignedtothelossofschool,fortheyfoundthemselvesdelightfullyfreshforthefewlessonstheydidhave,andnotwearyofplay,sinceittookmanyusefulforms。OldJanenotonlycarriedthemalltoride,butgaveJackplentyofworkkeepingherpremisesinniceorder。Frankmournedprivatelyoverthedelayofcollege,butfoundasolaceinhiswhirligigandtheGymnasium,wherehesethimselftodevelopingachesttomatchthebigheadabove,whichheadnolongerachedwitheightortenhoursofstudy。Harvestingbeansandrakingupleavesseemedtohaveasoothingeffectuponhisnerves,fornowhefellasleepatonceinsteadofthumpinghispillowwithvexationbecausehisbrainwouldgoonworkingatdifficultproblemsandpassageswhenhewantedittostop。

JillandMollydroveawayinthelittlephaetoneveryfairmorningoverthesunnyhillsandthroughthechangingwoods,fillingtheirhandswithastersandgolden—rod,theirlungswiththepure,invigoratingair,andtheirheadswithallmannerofsweetandhappyfanciesandfeelingsbornofthewholesomeinfluencesahoutthem,People5hooktheirheads,andsaiditwaswastingtime;buttherosy—facedgirlswereContenttotrustthosewiserthanthemselves,andfoundtheirnewschoolverypleasant。Theyreadaloudagooddeal,rapidlyacquiringoneoftherarestandmostbeautifulaccomplishments;fortheycouldstopandaskquestionsastheywentalong,sothattheyunderstoodwhattheyread,whichishalfthesecret。Athousandthingscameupastheysewedtogetherintheafternoon,andtheeagermindsreceivedmuchgeneralinformationinaneasyandwell—orderedway。Physiologywasoneofthefavoritestudies,andMrs。Hammondoftencameintogivethemalittlelecture,teachingthemtounderstandthewondersoftheirownsystems,andhowtokeeptheminorder——alessonoffarmoreimportancejustthenthanGreekorLatin,forgirlsarethefuturemothers,nurses,teachers,oftherace,andshouldfeelhowmuchdependsonthem。Merrycouldnotresisttheattractionsofthefriendlycircle,andsoonpersuadedhermothertoletherdoastheydid;soshegotmoreexerciseandlessstudy,whichwasjustwhatthedelicategirlneeded。

Thefirstofthenewideasseemedtoprosper,andthesecond,thoughsuggestedinjoke,wascarriedoutinearnest,fortheotheryoungpeoplewereseizedwithastrongdesiretosendsomethingtotheFair。Infact,allsortsofqueerarticleswereproposed,andmuchfunprevailed,especiallyamongtheboys,whoransackedtheirgardensformammothvegetables,sighedforfive—leggedcalves,blueroses,oranyothernaturalcuriositybymeansofwhichtheymightdistinguishthemselves。Ralphwastheonlyonewhohadanythingreallyworthsending;forthoughFranksmodelseemedquiteperfect,itobstinatelyrefusedtogo,andatthelastmomentblewupwithareportlikeapop—gun。Soitwaslaidawayforrepairs,anditsdisappointedmakerdevotedhisenergiestohelpingJackkeepBuninorder;forthatindomitableanimalgotoutofeveryprisontheyputhimin,andledJackadreadfullifeduringthatlastweek。Atallhoursofthedayandnightthatdistractedboywouldstartup,crying,"Thereheisagain！"anddartouttogivechaseandcapturethevillainnowgrowntoofattorunasheoncedid。

TheverynightbeforetheFair,Frankwaswakenedbyachillydraught,and,gettinguptoseewhereitcamefrom,foundJack\'sdooropenandbedempty,whilethevisionofawhiteghostflittingaboutthegardensuggestedamidnightrushafteroldBun。Frankwatchedlaughingly,tillpoorJackcametowardthehousewiththegentlemaningraykickinglustilyinhisarms,andthenwhisperedinasepulchraltone,"Puthimintheoldrefrigerator,hecan\'tgetoutofthat,"

Blessinghimforthesuggestion,theexhaustedhuntershutuphisvictiminthenewcell,andfounditasafeone,forBuncouldnotburrowthroughasheetofzinc,orclimbupthesmoothwalls。Jill\'squiltwasaveryelaboratepieceofwork,beingbrightbluewithlittlewhitestarsalloverit;thisshefinishednicely,andfeltsurenopatientoldladycouldoutdoit。Merrydecidedtosendbutter,forshehadbeenhelpinghermotherinthedairythatsummer,andratherlikedthelightpartofthelabor。SheknewitwouldpleaseherverymuchifshechosethatinsteadofwildBowers,soshepractisedmouldingtheyellowpatsintoprettyshapes,thatitmightpleasebotheyeandtaste。

Mollydeclaredshewouldhavealittlepen,andputBooinit,astheprizefatboy——athreatwhichsoalarmedtheinnocentthatheranaway,aniwas~ouncltwoorthreemilespromborne,asleepunderthewall,withtwoseed—cakesandapairofsocksdoneupinabundle。Beingwithdifficultyconvincedthatitwasajoke,heconsentedtoreturntohisfamily,butwasevidentlysuspicious,tillMollydecidedtosendhercats,andsetaboutpreparingthemforexhibition。TheMinots\'desertedBunny—housewasratherlarge;butascatscannotbepackedascloselyasmuch—enduringsheep,Mollyborrowedthisdesirablefamilymansion,andputherdarlingsintoit,wheretheysoonsettleddown,andappearedtoenjoytheirnewresidence。Ithadbeenscrubbedupandpaintedred,cushionsandplatesputin,andtwoAmericanflagsadornedtheroof。Beingbarredallround,afineviewoftheHappyFamilycouldbehad,nowtwelveinnumber,asMolasseshadlatelyaddedthreewhitekitstothevariedcollection。

Thegirlsthoughtthiswouldbethemostinterestingspectacleofall,andGrifproposedtogivesomeofthecatsextratails,toincreasetheircharms,especiallypoorMortification,whowouldappreciatethehonoroftwo,afterhavingnoneforsolong。ButMollydeclined,andGriflookedabouthimforsomeattractiveanimaltoexhibit,sothathetoomightgoinfreeandcometohonor,perhaps。

Ayoungladyinthetownownedadonkey,asmall,graybeast,whoinsistedontrippingalongthesidewalksandbumpingherrideragainstthewallsasshepausedtobrowseatherownsweetwill,regardlessofblowsorcries,tillreadytomoveon。Expressinggreatadmirationforthisrareanimal,GrifobtainedleavetodisplaythecharmsofGraciosaattheFair。Littledidsheguessthedarkdesignsentertainedagainstherdignity,andhappilyshewasnotassensitivetoridiculeasalesshumble—mindedanimal,soshewentwillinglywithhernewfriend,andenjoyedthecombingandtrimmingupwhichshereceivedathishands,whilehepreparedforthegreatoccasion。

WhenthemorningofSeptember28tharrived,thetownwasallastir,andtheFairgroundalivelyscene。Theairwasfullofthelowingofcattle,thetrampofhorses,squealingofindignantpigs,andclatteroftongues,aspeopleandanimalsstreamedinatthegreatgateandfoundtheirproperplaces。Ouryoungfolkswereinahighstateofexcitement,astheyrumbledawaywiththeirtreasuresinahay—cart。TheBunny—housemighthavebeenacageoftigers,sorampantwerethecatsatthisnewmove。OldBun,inasmallbox,broodedovertheinsultoftherefrigerator,andlookedasfierceasarabbitcould。Gushadacoopofrarefowls,whocluckedwildlyalltheway,whileRalph,withthebustinhisarms,stoodupinfront,andJillandMollyborethepreciousbedquilt,astheysatbehind。

Theseobjectsofinterestweresoonarranged,andthegirlswenttoadmireMerry\'sgoldenbuttercupsamongthegreenleaves,underwhichlaytheicethatkepttheprettyflowersfresh。Theboysweredownbelow,wherethecacklingwasveryloud,butnotloudenoughtodrownthesonorousbraywhichsuddenlystartledthemasmuchasitdidthehorsesoutside。Ashoutoflaughterfollowed,andawaywentthelads,toseewhatthefunwas,whilethegirlsranoutonthebalcony,assomeonesaid,"It\'sthatrogueofaGrifwithsomenewjoke。"

Itcertainlywas,and,tojudgefromthepealsofmerriment,thejokewasagoodone。Inatthegatecameatwo—headeddonkey,riddenbyGrif,ingreatspiritsathissuccess,forthegate—keeperlaughedsoheneverthoughttoaskfortoll。Atrainofboysfollowedhimacrosstheground,lostinadmirationoftheanimalandtheclevernessofherrider。AmongthestagepropertiesoftheDramaticClubwastheoldass\'sheadonceusedinsometableauxfrom"MidsummerNight\'sDream。"ThisGrifhadmendedup,andfastenedbymeansofstrapsandacollartopoorGraciosa\'sneck,hiding~workwitharedclothoverherback。Oneeyewasgone,buttheotherstillopenedandshut,andthelongearswaggedbymeansofstrings,whichheslylymanagedwiththebridle,sotheartificialheadlookedalmostasnaturalastherealone。ThefunniestthingofallwastheinnocentairofGraciosa,andthemildlyinquiringexpressionwithwhichshenowandthenturnedtolookatortosmellofthenewornamentasifsherecognizedafriend\'sface,yetwasperplexedbyitswantofanimation。Sheventedherfeelingsinabray,whichGrifimitated,convulsingallhearersbythesoundaswellasbythewinktheoneeyegave,andthedrollwaggleofoneerectear,whiletheotherpointedstraightforward。

Thegirlslaughedsoattheridiculoussightthattheynearlyfellovertherailing,andtheboyswereinecstasies,especiallywhenGrif,emboldenedbyhissuccess,trottedbrisklyroundtherace—course,followedbythecheersofthecrowd。Excitedbythenoise,Graciosadidherbest,tillthefalsehead,loosenedbytherapidmotion,slippedroundunderhernose,causinghertostopsosuddenlythatGrifflewoff,alightingonhisownheadwithaviolencewhichwouldhavekilledanyotherboy。Soberedbyhisdownfall,hedeclinedtomountagain,butledhissteedtoreposeinashed,whileherejoinedhisfriends,whowerewaitingimpatientlytocongratulatehimonhislatestandbestprank。

TheCommitteewenttheirroundssoonafter,and,whenthedoorswereagainopened,everyonehurriedtoseeiftheirarticleshadreceivedapremium。Acardlayonthebuttercups,andMrs。Grantwasfullofpridebecauseherbutteralwaystookaprize,andthisprovedthatMerrywaswalkinginhermother\'ssteps,inthisdirectionatleast。Anothercardswungfromthebluequilt,forthekindlyjudgesknewwhomadeit,andweregladtopleasethelittlegirl,thoughseveralothersascuriousbutnotsoprettyhungnearby。Thecatswereadmired,but,astheywerenotamongtheanimalsusuallyexhibited,therewasnoprizeawarded。Gushopedhishenswouldgetone;hutsomebodyelseoutdidhim,tothegreatindignationofLauraandLotty,whohadfedthewhitebiddiesfaithfullyformonths。Jackwassurehisrabbitwasthebiggestthere,andwenteagerlytolookforhispremium。ButneithercardnorBunweretobeseen,fortheoldrascalhadescapedforthelasttime,andwasneverseenagain;whichwasagreatcomforttoJack,whowasheartilytiredofhim。

Ralph\'sbustwasthebestofall,fornotonlydiditgetaprize,andwasmuchadmired,butalady,whofoundJillandMerryrejoicingoverit,wassopleasedwiththetruthandgraceofthelittlehead,thatsheaskedabouttheartist,andwhetherhewoulddooneofherownchild,whowassodelicateshefearedhemightnotlivelong。

Merrygladlytoldthestoryofherambitiousfriend,andwenttofindhim,thathemightsecuretheorder。Whileshewasgone,Jilltookupthetale,gratefullytellinghowkindhehadbeentoher,howpatientlyheworkedandwaited,andhowmuchhelongedtogoabroad。Fortunatelytheladywasrichandgenerous,aswellasfondofart,andbeingpleasedwiththebust,andinterestedintheyoungsculptor,gavehimtheorderwher~hecame,andfilledhissoulwithjoybyadding,that,ifitsuitedherwhendone,itshouldbeputintomarble。Shelivedinthecity,andRalphsoonarrangedhisworksothathecouldgiveuphisnoonhour,andgotomodelthechild;foreverypennyhecouldearnorsavenowwasveryprecious,ashestillhopedtogoabroad。

Thegirlsweresodelightedwiththisgoodfortune,thattheydidnotstayfortheraces,butwenthometotellthehappynews,leavingtheboystocareforthecats,andenjoythevariousmatchestocomeoffthatday。

"I\'msogladItriedtolookpleasantwhenIwaslyingontheboardwhileRalphdidmyhead,forthepleasantnessgotintotheclayface,andthatmadetheladylikeit,"saidJill,asshelayrestingonthesofa。

"Ialwaysthoughtitwasadear,brightlittleface,butnowIloveandadmireitmorethanever,"criedMerry,kissingitgratefully,assherememberedthehelpandpleasureithadgivenRalph。

Chapter24DowntheRiverAfortnightlater,theboyswerepickingapplesonegoldenOctoberafternoon,andthegirlswerehurryingtofinishtheirwork,thattheymightgoandhelptheharvesters。ItwassixweeksnowSincethenewschoolbegan,andtheyhadlearnedtolikeitverymuch,thoughtheyfoundthatitwasnotallplay,byanymeans。Butlessons,exercise,andvarioussortsofhouseworkmadeanagreeablechange,andtheyfeltthattheywerelearningthingswhichwouldbeusefultothemalltheirlives。Theyhadbeenmakingunderclothesforthemselves,andeachhadseveralneatlyfinishedgarmentscut,fitted,andsewedbyherself,andtrimmedwiththeprettytattingJillmadeinsuchquantitieswhileshelayonhersofa。

Nowtheywerecompletingnewdressingsacks,andhadenjoyedthisjobverymuch,aseachchoseherownmaterial,andsuitedherowntasteinthemaking。Jill\'swaswhite,withtinyscarletleavesalloverit,trimmedwithredbraidandbuttonssolikecheckerberriesshewastemptedtoeatthem。Molly\'swasgay,withbouquetsofeverysortofflower,scallopedallround,andadornedwithsixbuttons,eachofadifferentcolor,whichshethoughtthelasttouchofelegance。Merry\'s,thoughthesimplest,wasthedaintiestofthethree,beingpaleblue,trimmedwithdelicateedging,andbeautifullymade。

Mrs。MinothadbeenreadingfromMissStrickland\'s"QueensofEngland"whilethegirlsworked,andanillustratedSliakspearelayopenonthetable,aswellasseveralfinephotographsofhistoricalplacesforthemtolookatastheywentalong。Thehourwasovernow,theteachergone,andthepupilssettingthelaststitchesastheytalkedoverthelesson,whichhadinterestedthemexceedingly。

"IreallybelieveIhavegotHenry\'ssixwivesintomyheadrightatlast。TwoAnnes,threeKatherines,andoneJane。NowI\'veseenwheretheylivedandheardtheirstories,IquitefeelasifIknewthem,"saidMerry,shakingthethreadsoffherworkbeforeshefoldedituptocarryhome。

"KingHenrytheEighthtosixspouseswaswedded,Onedied,onesurvived,twodivorced,twobeheaded,\'

wasallIknewaboutthembefore。Poorthings,whatabadtimetheydidhave,"addedJill,pattingdowntheredbraid,whichwouldpuckerabitatthecorners。

"KatherineParrhadthebestofit,becausesheoutlivedtheoldtyrantandsokeptherheadon,"saidMolly,windingthethreadroundherlastbutton,asifboundtofastenitonsofirmlythatnothingshoulddecapitatethat。

"IusedtothinkI\'dliketobeaqueenoragreatlady,andwearvelvetandjewels,andliveinapalace,butnowIdon\'tcaremuchforthatsortofsplendor。Iliketomakethingsprettyathome,andknowthattheyalldependonme,andlovemeverymuch。Queensarcnothappy,andIam,"saidMerry,pausingtolookatAnneHathaway\'scottageassheputupthepicture,andtowonderifitwasverypleasanttohaveafamousmanforone\'shusband。

"Iguessyourmissionaryinghasdoneyougood;minehas,andI\'mgettingtohavethingsmyownwaymoreandmoreeveryday。MissBatissoamiable,Ihardlyknowher,andfathertellshertoaskMissMollywhenshegoestohimfororders。Isn\'tthatfun？"

laughedMolly,inhighglee,attheagreeablechange。"Ilikeiteversomuch,butIdon\'twanttostaysoallmydays。Imeantotravel,andjustassoonasIcanIshalltakeBooandgoallroundtheworld,andseeeverything,"sheadded,wavinghergaysack,asifitweretheflagshewasabouttonailtothemastheadofhership。

"Well,Ishouldliketobefamousinsomeway,andhavepeopleadmiremeverymuch。I\'dliketoact,ordance,orsing,orbewhatI

heardtheladiesatPebblyBeachcalla\'queenofsociety。\'ButI

don\'texpecttobeanything,andI\'mnotgoingtoworryIshallnotbeaLucinda,soIoughttobecontentedandhappyallmylife,"

saidJill,whowasveryambitiousinspiteofthenewlyacquiredmeekness,whichwasallthemorebecomingbecausehernaturallivelinessoftenbrokeoutlikesunshinethroughaveiloflightclouds。

Ifthethreegirlscouldhavelookedforwardtenyearstheywouldhavebeensurprisedtoseehowdifferentafatewastheirsfromtheoneeachhadchosen,andhowhappyeachwasintheplaceshewascalledtofill。Merrywasnotmakingtheoldfarmhousepretty,butlivinginItaly,withayoungsculptorforherhusband,andbeautysuchassheneverdreamedofallabouther。Mollywasnottravellingroundtheworld,butcontentedlykeepinghouseforherfatherandstillwatchingoverBoo,whowasbecomingherprideandjoyaswellascare。NeitherwasJillafamouswoman,butaveryhappyandusefulone,withthetwomothersleaningonherastheygrewold,theyoungmenbetterforherinfluenceoverthem,manyfriendstoloveandhonorher,andacharminghome,whereshewasqueenbyrightofhercheeryspirit,gratefulheart,andunfailingdevotiontothosewhohadmadeherwhatshewas。

Ifanycuriousreader,notcontentwiththispeepintofuturity,asks,"DidMollyandJillevermarry？"wemustreply,forthesakeofpeace——Mollyremainedamerryspinsterallherdays,oneoftheindependent,brave,andbusycreaturesofwhomthereissuchneedintheworldtohelptakecareofotherpeoples\'wivesandchildren,anddothemanyusefuljobsthatthemarriedfolkhavenotimefor。

Jillcertainlydidwearawhiteveilonthedayshewastwenty—fiveandcalledherhusbandJack。Furtherthanthatwecannotgo,excepttosaythatthisleapdidnotendinacatastrophe,likethefirstonetheytooktogether。

Thatday,however,theyneverdreamedofwhatwasinstoreforthem,butchatteredawayastheycleareduptheroom,andthenranoffreadyforplay,feelingthattheyhadearneditbyworkwelldone。Theyfoundtheladsjustfinishing,withBootohelpbypickingupthewindfallsforthecider—heap,afterhehadamusedhimselfbyputtingaboutabusheldownthevariousholesoldBunhadleftbehindhim。Jackwasriskinghisneckclimbinginthemostdangerousplaces,whileFrank,withalong—handledapple—picker,nippedoffthefinestfruitwithcare,bothenjoyingthepleasanttaskandfeelingproudofthehandsomeredandyellowpilesallaboutthelittleorchard。MerryandMollycaughtupbasketsandfelltoworkwithalltheirmight,leavingJilltosituponastoolandsorttheearlyapplesreadytouseatonce,lookingupnowandthentonodandsmileathermotherwhowatchedherfromthewindow,rejoicingtoseeherlasssowellandhappy。

Itwassuchalovelyday,theyallfeltitscheerfulinfluence;forthesunshonebrightandwarm,theairwasfullofaninvigoratingfreshnesswhichsoonmadethegirls\'faceslooklikerosyapples,andtheirspiritsasgayasiftheyhadbeenstealingsipsofnewciderthroughastraw。Jackwhistledlikeablackbirdasheswungandbumpedabout,Frankoratedandjoked,MerryandMollyranracestoseewhowouldfillandemptyfastest,andJillsungtoBoo,whoreposedinabarrel,exhaustedwithhislabors。

"Thesearethelastofthepleasantdays,andweoughttomakethemostofthem。Let\'shaveonemorepicnicbeforethefrostspoilstheleaves,"saidMerry,restingaminuteatthegatetolookdownthestreet,whichwasaglorifiedsortofavenue,withbrilliantmaplesliningthewayandcarpetingthegroundwithcrimsonandgold。

"Oh,yes！GodowntheriveroncemoreandhavesupperontheIsland。Icouldn\'tgotosomeofyourpicnics,andIdolongforalastgoodtimebeforewintershutsmeupagain,"criedJill,eagertoharvestallthesunshineshecould,forshewasnotyetquiteheroldselfagain。

"I\'myourman,iftheotherfellowsagree。Wecan\'tbarreltheseupforawhile,soto—morrowwillbeaholidayforus。Bettermakesureofthedaywhileyoucan,thisweathercan\'tlastlong";andFrankshookhisheadlikeoneonintimatetermswithOldProb。

"Don\'tworryaboutthosehighones,Jack。Giveashakeandcomedownandplanabouttheparty,"calledMolly,throwingupabigBaldwinwithwhatseemedaremarkablygoodaim,forashowerofapplesfollowed,andaboycametumblingearthwardtocatchonthelowestboughandswingdownlikeacaterpillar,exclaiming,ashelanded,"I\'mgladthatjobisdone！I\'veraspedeveryknuckleI\'vegotandwornoutthekneesofmypants。Nicelittlecropthough,isn\'tit？"

"Itwillbenicerifthisyoungmandoesnotbiteeveryapplehetouches。Hithere！Stopit,Boo,"commandedFrank,ashecaughthisyoungassistantputtinghissmallteethintothebestones,toseeiftheyweresweetorsour。

Mollysetthebarreluponend,andthattooktheboyoutofthereachofmischief,soheretiredfromviewandpeepedthroughacrackasheatehisfifthpearmain,regardlessofconsequences。

"Guswillbeathometo—morrow。HealwayscomesupearlyonSaturday,youknow。Wecan\'tgetonwithouthim,"saidFrank,whomissedhismateverymuch,forGushadenteredcollege,andsofardidnotlikeitasmuchashehadexpected。

"OrRalph;heisverybusyeveryspareminuteonthelittleboy\'sbust,whichisgettingonnicely,hesays;buthewillbeabletocomehomeintimeforsupper,Ithink,"addedMerry,rememberingtheabsent,asusual。

"I\'llaskthegirlsonmywayhome,andallmeetattwoo\'clockforagoodrowwhileit\'swarm。WhatshallIbring？"askedMolly,wonderingifMissBat\'samiabilitywouldextendtomakinggoodiesinthemidstofherusualSaturday\'sbaking。

"Youbringcoffeeandthebigpotandsomebutteredcrackers。I\'llseetothepieandcake,andtheothergirlscanhaveanythingelsetheylike,"answeredMerry,gladandproudthatshecouldprovidethepartywithherowninvitinghandiwork。

"I\'lltakemyzither,sowecanhavemusicaswesail,andGrifwillbringhisviolin,andRalphcanimitateabanjosothatyou\'dbesurehehadone。Idohopeitwillbefine,itissosplendidtogoroundlikeotherfolksandenjoymyself,"criedJill,withalittlebounceofsatisfactionattheprospectofarowandramble。

"Comealong,then,andmakesureofthegirls,"saidMerry,catchingupherrollofwork,fortheharvestingwasdone。

Mollyputhersackonastheeasiestwayofcarryingit,and,extricatingBoo,theywentoff,accompaniedbytheboys,"tomakesureofthefellows"also,leavingJilltositamongtheapples,singingandsortinglikeathriftylittlehousewife。

Nextdayelevenyoungpeoplemetattheappointedplace,basketinhand。Ralphcouldnotcometilllater,forhewasworkingnowasheneverworkedbefore。Theywereamerryflock,forthemellowautumndaywasevenbrighterandclearerthanyesterday,andtheriverlookeditsloveliest,windingawayunderthesombrehemlocks,orthroughthefairylandthegaywoodsmadeoneitherside。Twolargeboatsandtwosmallonesheldthemall,andawaytheywent,firstupthroughthethreebridgesandroundthebend,then,turning,theyfloateddowntothegreenisland,whereagroveofoaksrustledtheirsereleavesandthesquirrelswerestillgatheringacorns。Heretheyoftenmettokeeptheirsummerrevels,andheretheynowspreadtheirfeastontheflatrockwhichneedednoclothbesideitsowngraylichens。Thegirlstrimmedeachdishwithbrightleaves,andmadethesupperlooklikeabanquetfortheelves,whiletheboysbuiltafireinthenookwhereashesandblackenedstonestoldofmanyarusticmeal。Thebigtincoffee—potwasnotsoromantic,butmoresuccessfulthanakettleslungonthreesticks,gypsyfashion;sotheydidnotriskadownfall,butsetthewaterboiling,andsoonfilledtheairwiththeagreeableperfumeassociatedintheirmindswithpicnics,asmostofthemnevertastedthefascinatingstuffatanyothertime,beingtheworstchildrencandrink。

Frankwascook,Gushelpedcutbreadandcake,JackandGrifbroughtwood,whileBobWalkertookJoe\'splaceandmadehimselfgenerallyuseful,astheothergentlemanneverdid,andsowasquiteoutoffavorlately。

Allwasreadyatlast,andtheywerejustdecidingtositdownwithoutRalph,whenashouttoldthemhewascoming,anddowntheriverskimmedawherryatsucharatetheboyswonderedwhomhehadbeenracingwith。

"Somethinghashappened,andheiscomingtotellus,"saidJill,whosatwhereshecouldseehiseagerface。

"Nothingbad,orhewouldn\'tsmileso。Heisgladofagoodrowandalittlefunafterworkingsohardalltheweek";andMerryshookarednapkinasawelcomingsignal。

Somethingcertainlyhadhappened,andaveryhappysomethingitmustbe,theyallthought,asRalphcameonwithflashingoars,andleapingoutastheboattouchedtheshore,ranuptheslope,wavinghishat,andcallinginagladvoice,sureofsympathyinhisdelight,"Goodnews！goodnews！HurrahforRome,nextmonth！"

Theyoungfolksforgottheirsupperforamoment,tocongratulatehimonhishappyprospect,andhearallaboutit,whiletheleavesrustledasifechoingthekindwords,andthesquirrelssatupaloft,wonderingwhatallthepleasantclamorwasabout。

Yes,I\'mreallygoinginNovember。Germanaskedmetogowithhimto—day,andifthereisanylittlehitchinmygettingoff,he\'lllendahand,andI——I\'llblackhisboots,wethisclay,andrunhiserrandstherestofmylifetopayforthis！"criedRalph,inaburstofgratitude;for,independentashewas,thekindnessofthissuccessfulfriendtoadeservingcomradetouchedandwonhisheart。

"Icallthatahandsomethingtodo！"saidFrank,warmly,fornobleactionsalwayspleasedhim。"Iheardmymothersaythatmakinggoodorusefulmenwasthebestsortofsculpture,soIthinkDavidGermanmaybeproudofthispieceofwork,whetherthebigstatuesucceedsornot。"

"I\'mveryglad,oldfellow,WhenIrunoverformytripfouryearsfromnow,I\'lllookyouup,andseehowyouaregettingon,"saidGus,withaheartyshakeofthehand;andtheyoungerladsgrinnedcheerfully,evenwhiletheywonderedwherethefunwasinshapingclayandchippingmarble。

"Shallyoustayfouryears？"askedMerry\'ssoftvoice,whileawistfullookcameintoherhappyeyes。

"Ten,ifIcan,"answeredRalph,decidedly,feelingasifalonglifetimewouldbealltooshortfortheimmortalworkhemeanttodo。"I\'vegotsomuchtolearn,thatIshalldowhateverDavidthinksbestformeatfirst,andwhenIcangoalone,Ishalljustshutmyselfupandforgetthatthereisanyworldoutsidemyden。"

"Dowriteandtellushowyougetonnowandthen;Iliketohearaboutotherpeople\'sgoodtimeswhileI\'mwaitingformyown,"

saidMolly,toomuchinterestedtoobservethatGrifwasstickingburrsupanddownherbraids。

"OfcourseIshallwritetosomeofyou,butyoumustn\'texpectanygreatthingsforyearsyet。Peopledon\'tgrowfamousinahurry,andittakesadealofhardworkeventoearnyourbreadandbutter,asyou\'llfindifyouevertryit,"answeredRalph,soberingdownalittleasherememberedthelongandsteadyeffortithadtakentogetevensofar。

"Speakingofbreadandbutterremindsmethatwe\'dbettereatoursbeforethecoffeegetsquitecold,"saidAnnette,forMerryseemedtohaveforgottenthatshehadbeenchosentoplaymatron,asshewastheoldest。

Theboyssecondedthemotion,andforafewminutessupperwastheall—absorbingtopic,asthecupswentroundandthegoodiesvanishedrapidly,accompaniedbytheusualmishapswhichmakepicnicmealssuchfun。Ralph\'shealthwasdrunkwithallsortsofgoodwishes;andsuchsplendidpropheciesweremade,thathewouldhavefarsurpassedMichaelAngelo,iftheycouldhavecometrue。Grifgavehimanorderonthespotforafull—lengthstatueofhimself,andstooduptoshowtheimposingattitudeinwhichhewishedtobetaken,butunfortunatelyslippedandfellforwardwithonehandinthecustardpie,theotherclutchingwildlyatthecoffee—pot,whichinhospitablyburnthisfingers。

"IthinkIgrasptheidea,andwillbesuretoremembernottomakeyourhairblowonewayandthetailsofyourcoatanother,asacertainsculptormadethoseofafamousman,"laughedRalph,asthefallenheroscrambledup,amidstgeneralmerriment。

"Willthelittlebustbedonebeforeyougo？"askedJill,anxiously,feelingapersonalinterestinthesuccessofthatorder。

"Yes:I\'vebeenhardatiteveryspareminuteIcouldget,andhaveafortnightmore。ItsuitsMrs。Lennox,andshewillpaywellforit,soIshallhavesomethingtostartwith,thoughIhaven\'tbeenabletosavemuch。I\'mtothankyouforthat,andIshallsendyouthefirstprettythingIgetholdof,"answeredRalph,lookinggratefullyatthebrightface,whichgrewstillbrighterasJillexclaimed,"Idofeelsoproudtoknowarealartist,andhavemybustdonebyhim。IonlywishIcouldpayforitasMrs。Lennoxdoes;butI

haven\'tanymoney,andyoudon\'tneedthesortofthingsIcanmake,"sheadded,shakingherhead,asshethoughtoverknitslippers,wall—pockets,andcrochetinallitsforms,asofferingstoherdepartingfriend。

"Youcanwriteoften,andtellmeallabouteverybody,forIshallwanttoknow,andpeoplewillsoonforgetmewhenI\'mgone,"

saidRalph,lookir~gatMerry,whowasmakingagarlandofyellowleavesforJuliet\'sblackhair。

Jillpromised,andkeptherword;butthelongestletterswentfromthefarm—houseonthehill,thoughnooneknewthefacttilllongafterward。Merrysaidnothingnow,butshesmiled,withaprettycolorinhercheeks,andwasverymuchabsorbedinherwork,whilethetalkwenton。

"IwishIwastwenty,andgoingtoseekmyfortune,asyouare,"saidJack;andtheotherboysagreedwithhim,forsomethinginRalph\'snewplansandpurposesrousedthemanlyspiritinallofthem,remindingthemthatplaytimewouldsoonbeover,andthegreatworldbeforethem,wheretochoose。

"Itiseasyenoughtosaywhatyou\'dlike;butthetroubleis,youhavetotakewhatyoucanget,andmakethebestofit,"saidGus,whoseownviewswererathervagueasyet。

"Noyoudon\'t,always;youcanmakethingsgoasyouwantthem,ifyouonlytryhardenough,andwalkrightoverwhateverstandsintheway。Idon\'tmeantogiveupmyplansforanyman;but,ifI

live,I\'llcarrythemout——youseeifIdon\'t";andFrankgavetherockwherehelayablowwithhisfist,thatsenttheacornsflyingallabout。

OneofthemhitJack,andhesaid,sorrowfully,ashehelditinhishandsocarefullyitwasevidenthehadsomeassociationwithit,"Edusedtosaythat,andhehadsomesplendidplans,buttheydidn\'tcometoanything。"

"Perhapstheydid;whocantell？Doyourbestwhileyoulive,andI

don\'tbelieveanythinggoodislost,whetherwehaveitalongorashorttime,"saidRalph,whoknewwhatahelpandcomforthighhopeswere,andhowtheyledtobetterthings,ifworthilycherished。

"Agreatmanyacornsarewasted,Isuppose;butsomeofthemsproutandgrow,andmakesplendidtrees,"addedMerry,feelingmorethansheknewhowtoexpress,asshelookedupattheoaksoverhead。

Onlysevenofthepartyweresittingontheknollnow,fortheresthadgonetowashthedishesandpackthebasketsdownbytheboats。JackandJill,withthethreeelderboys,wereinalittlegroup,andasMerryspoke,GussaidtoFrank,"Didyouplantyours？"

"Yes,onthelawn,andImeanitshallcomeupifIcanmakeit,"

answeredFrank,gravely。

"IputminewhereIcanseeitfromthewindow,andnotforgettowaterandtakecareofit,"addedJack,stillturningtheprettybrownacorntoandfroasifhelovedit。

"Whatdotheymean？"whisperedMerrytoJill,whowasleaningagainstherkneeLorest。

"TheboyswerewalkingintheCemeterylastSunday,astheyoftendo,andwhentheycametoEd\'sgrave,theplacewasallcoveredwithlittleacornsfromthetreethatgrowsonthebank。Theyeachtookupsomeastheystoodtalking,andJacksaidheshouldplanthis,forhelovedEdverymuch,youknow。Theotherssaidtheywould,too;andIhopethetreeswillgrow,thoughwedon\'tneedanythingtorememberhimby,"answeredJill,inalowtone,thinkingofthepressedflowersthegirlskeptforhissake。

Theboysheardher,butnoonespokeforamomentastheysatlookingacrosstherivertowardthehillwherethepineswhisperedtheirlullabiesandpointedheavenward,steadfastandgreen,alltheyearround。NoneofthemcouldexpressthethoughtthatwasintheirmindsasJilltoldthelittlestory;buttheactandthefeelingthatprompteditwereperhapsasbeautifulanassuranceascouldhavebeengiventhatthedeardeadboy\'sexamplehadnotbeenwasted,fortheplantingoftheacornswasasymbolofthedesirebuddinginthoseyoungheartstobewhathemighthavebeen,andtomaketheirlivesnoblerfortheknowledgeandtheloveofhim。

"Itseemsasifagreatdealhadhappenedthisyear,"saidMerry,inapensivetone,forthisquiettalkjustsuitedhermood。

"SoIsay,forthere\'sbeenaDeclarationofIndependenceandaRevolutioninourhouse,andI\'mcommander—in—chiefnow;anddon\'tIlikeit！"criedMolly,complacentlysurveyingtheneatnewuniformsheworeofherownchoosing。

"IfeelasifIneverlearnedsomuchinmylifeasIhavesincelastDecember,andyetIneverdidsolittle,"addedJill,wonderingwhythemonthsofwearinessandpaindidnotseemmoredreadfultoher。

\'Well,pitchingonmyheadseemstohavegivenmeagoodshakingup,somehow,andImeantodogreatthingsnextyearinbetterwaysthanbreakingmybonescoasting,"saidJack,withamanlyair。

"IfeellikeaSiamesetwinwithouthismatenowyouaregone,butI\'munderordersforawhile,andmeantodomybest。Guessitwon\'tbelosttime";andFranknoddedatGus,whonoddedbackwiththeslightlysuperiorexpressionallFreshmenwear。

"Hopeyouwon\'tfinditso。Myworkisallcutoutforme,andI

intendtogoinandwin,thoughitismoreofagrindthanyoufellowsknow。"

"I\'msureIhaveeverythingtobegratefulfor。Itwon\'tbeplainsailing——Idon\'texpectit;but,ifIlive,I\'lldosomethingtobeproudof,"saidRalph,squaringhisshouldersasiftomeetandconquerallobstaclesashelookedintotheglowingwest,wasnotfairerthanhisambitiousdreams。

Herewewillsaygood—bytothesegirlsandboysofoursastheysittogetherinthesunshinetalkingoverayearthatwastobeforevermemorabletothem,notbecauseofanyveryremarkableevents,butbecausetheywerejustbeginningtolookaboutthemastheysteppedoutofchildhoodintoyouth,andsomeoftheexperiencesofthepastmonthshadsetthemtothinking,taughtthemtoseetheuseandbeautyofthesmallduties,joys,andsorrowswhichmakeupourlives,andinspiredthemtoresolvethatthecomingyearshouldbebraverandbrighterthanthelast。

Therearemanysuchboysandgirls,fullofhighhopes,lovelypossibilities,andearnestplans,pausingamomentbeforetheypushtheirlittleboatsfromthesafeshore。Letthosewholaunchthemseetoitthattheyhavegoodhealthtomantheoars,goodeducationforballast,andgoodprinciplesaspilotstoguidethemastheyvoyagedownanever—wideningrivertothesea。