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diff --git a/1816-h/1816-h.htm b/1816-h/1816-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..27e12d9 --- /dev/null +++ b/1816-h/1816-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1794 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Tattine, by Ruth Ogden + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Tattine, by Ruth Ogden + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Tattine + +Author: Ruth Ogden + +Release Date: November 20, 2008 [EBook #1816] +Last Updated: November 16, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TATTINE *** + + + + +Produced by Dianne Bean, and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + TATTINE + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + by Ruth Ogden + </h2> + <h4> + [Mrs. Charles W. Ide] + </h4> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> + </td> + <td> + TROUBLE NO. 1 + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a> + </td> + <td> + A MAPLE-WAX MORNING + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. </a> + </td> + <td> + A SET OF SETTERS + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> + </td> + <td> + MORE TROUBLES + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE KIRKS AT HOME + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. </a> + </td> + <td> + “IT IS THEIR NATURE TO.” + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. TROUBLE NO. 1 + </h2> + <p> + Whether you happen to be four or five, or six, or seven, or even older + than that, no doubt you know by this time that a great many things need to + be learned in this world, everything, in fact, and never more things than + at seven. At least, so thought little Tattine, and what troubled her the + most was that some of the things seemed quite wrong, and yet no one was + able to right them. All her little life Tattine’s Mother had been setting + things straight for her, drying every tear, and unravelling every tangle, + so that Tattine was pretty downhearted the day she discovered that there + were some things that were quite beyond even her Mother’s power to alter. + It was on a lovely June morning that Tattine made the first of her + unwelcome discoveries. She was feeling particularly happy too, until she + made it. She was sitting up in an apple-tree, sketching, and doing it very + well. She had taken only a few drawing-lessons but had taken to them + immensely, and now with one limb of the tree for a seat and another one + for an easel, she was working away at a pretty chime tower, that stood on + a neighbor’s land. + </p> + <p> + Down on the grass beneath her Betsy and Doctor were lying. Betsy was a + dear, homely red-and-white Laverack setter, and Doctor, black-and-white + and better looking, was her son. Doctor’s beautiful grandmother Tadjie was + lying, alas! under the grass instead of on it, not very far away. It was a + sad day for the dog world when Tadjie left it, for although she was very + old, she was very beautiful up to the last with a glossy silky coat, a + superbly feathered tail, and with brown eyes so soft and entreating, they + fairly made you love her, whether you were fond of dogs or no. + </p> + <p> + Well, Tattine was sketching away and was quite absorbed in it, but Doctor, + who was little more than a puppy, thought it very dull. He lay with his + head between his paws, and, without moving a muscle, rolled his eyes round + and round, now gazing up at Tattine, and then at his mother, trying to be + happy though quiet. Finally he stretched himself, got on his feet, cocked + up his ears, and came and stood in front of Betsy, and although not a + sound was heard, he said, so that Betsy perfectly understood him, “I can’t + stand this any longer. If you have any love for me do please come for a + run.” + </p> + <p> + Then Betsy took one long stretch and with motherly self-sacrifice + reluctantly got up, prepared to humor this lively boy of hers. Suddenly + Doctor craned his head high in the air, and gave a little sniff, and then + Betsy craned her head and sniffed. Then they stole as stealthily away as + though stepping upon eggs, and Tattine never knew that they had gone. It + was no stealthy treading very long, however. No sooner had they crossed + the roadway than they made sure of the scent they thought they had + discovered, and made one wild rush down through the sumach and sweet-fern + to the ravine. In a few moments it was one wild rush up again right to the + foot of Tattine’s apple-tree, and Tattine looked down to see Doctor—oh, + could she believe her two blue eyes!—with a dear little rabbit + clinched firmly between his teeth, and his mother (think of it, his + mother!) actually standing proudly by and wildly waving her tail from side + to side, in the most delighted manner possible. As for Tattine, she simply + gave one horrified little scream and was down from the tree in a flash, + while the scream fortunately brought Maggie hurrying from the house, and + as Maggie was Doctor’s confidential friend (owing to certain choice little + morsels, dispensed from the butler’s pantry window with great regularity + three times a day), he at once, at her command, relaxed his hold on the + little jack-rabbit. The poor little thing was still breathing, breathing + indeed with all his might and main, so that his heart thumped against his + little brown sides with all the regularity of a Rider Engine. Tattine’s + first thought was for the rabbit, and she held it close to her, stroking + it with one little brown trembling hand and saying, “There! there! Hush, + you little dear; you’re safe now, don’t be frightened! Tattine wouldn’t + hurt you for the world.” Her next thought was for Doctor, and she turned + on him with a torrent of abuse, that ought to have made the hair of that + young M.D. stand on end. “Oh, you cruel, CRUEL dog! whatever made you do + such a thing as this? I never dreamt it of you, never.” At this Betsy’s + tail dropped between her legs, for she was a coward at heart, but Doctor + held his ground, his tail standing on end, as his hair should have done, + and his eyes all the while fairly devouring the little rabbit. “And the + worst of it,” continued Tattine, “is that no matter how sorry you may + feel” (Betsy was the only one who showed any signs of sorrow, and she was + more scared than sorry), “no matter how sorry you may feel, that will not + mend things. You do not know where this baby lived, and who are its father + and mother, and like as not it is too young to live at all away from them + and will die,” and Tattine raised one plump little hand and gave Doctor a + slap that at least made him “turn tail,” and slink rather doggedly away to + his own particular hole under the laundry steps. And now it was time to + find Mamma—high time, for it seemed to Tattine she would choke with + all the feelings, sorrowful and angry, welling up within her. Mamma was + not far afield—that is, she was very near, at her desk in the cosy + little alcove of the upstairs hall-way, and Tattine soon found her. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Mamma,” she asked excitedly, “did you know that Betsy or Doctor + would do such a thing as this?” + </p> + <p> + The trembling little rabbit in Tattine’s hands showed what was meant by + THIS. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Gerald paused a moment, then she said reluctantly, “Yes, Tattine, I + did.” + </p> + <p> + “Have they done it before, Mamma?” + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry to say they have.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you seen them bring struggling rabbits dangling in their mouths + right up to the house here, Mamma?” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Gerald merely shook her head. She felt so sorry to have to own to + such a sight. + </p> + <p> + “Why did I never know it, Mamma?” + </p> + <p> + “You have never chanced to be on the spot, dear, when it happened, and I + was in no hurry to tell you anything that I knew would make you sad.” + </p> + <p> + “I think it would have been better to tell me. It’s awful to find such a + thing out suddenly about dogs you’ve trusted, and to think how good and + gentle they look when they come and put their heads in your lap to be + petted, just as though they would not hurt a fly; but then, of course, + anyone who has eyes knows that they do lure flies, snapping at them all + day long, and just for the fun of it too, not because they need them for + food, as birds do. Mamma, I don’t believe there’s anything meaner than a + Laverack setter. Still, Tadjie would never have done such a thing, I + know.” Mrs. Gerald was silent, and Tattine, expecting her to confirm what + she had said, grew a little suspicious. “Would Tadjie, Mamma?” with a + directness that would not admit of indirectness. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Tattine; Tadjie would. She was trained to hunt before ever she was + given to Papa, and so were her ancestors before her. That is why Doctor + and Betsy, who have never been trained to hunt, go wild over the rabbits. + They have inherited the taste.” + </p> + <p> + “Trained to hunt,” said Tattine thoughtfully. “Do you mean that men just + went to work to teach them to be so cruel?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I suppose in a way setters are natural hunters, Tattine, but then + their training has doubtless a great deal to do with it, but I want to + tell you something that I think will give you just a grain of comfort. I + read the other day that Sir John Franklin, the great Arctic explorer, who + almost lost his life in being attacked by some huge animal—it must + have been a bear, I think—says that the animal when he first gets + you in his teeth gives you such a shake that it paralyzes your nerves—this + is, it benumbs all your feelings, so, that, strange as it may seem, you + really do not suffer. So let us hope that it was that way with this little + rabbit.” + </p> + <p> + “But there’s a little blood here on one side, Mamma.” + </p> + <p> + “That doesn’t always prove suffering, either, Tattine. Soldiers are + sometimes wounded without ever knowing it until they see a little sign of + blood somewhere.” + </p> + <p> + Tattine listened attentively to all this, and was in a measure comforted. + It seemed that Mamma was still able to better things, even though not able + to set everything perfectly right. “Now,” Tattine said,—with a + little sigh of relief, “I think I will try and see what I can do for + Bunny. Perhaps he would first like a drink,” so downstairs she went, and + putting some milk in a shallow tea-cup, she dipped Bunny’s nose in it, and + it seemed to her as though he did take a little of it. Then she trudged up + to the garret for a box, and, putting a layer of cotton-batting in the + bottom, laid Bunny in one corner. Then she went to the garden and pulled a + leaf or two of the youngest, greenest lettuce, and put it right within + reach of Bunny’s nose, and a little saucer of water beside it. Then she + went down to tell the gardener’s little boy all about the sorrowful thing + that had happened. + </p> + <p> + The next morning Bunny was still breathing, but the lettuce was + un-nibbled; he had not moved an inch, and he was trembling like a leaf. + “Mamma,” she called upstairs, “I think I’ll put BUN in the sun” (she was + trying not to be too down-hearted); “he seems to be a little chilly.” Then + she sat herself down in the sun to watch him. Soon Bunny ceased to + tremble. “Patrick,” she called to the old man who was using the lawn + mower, “is this little rabbit dead?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, miss, shure,” taking the little thing gently in his hand. + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” she answered quietly. Tattine used those two little words + very often; they meant that she accepted the situation, if you happen to + know what that means. “Now I think I will not trouble Mamma about it,” she + said to herself thoughtfully, so she went to the closet under the stairs, + got a little empty box she knew was there, and, taking it out of doors, + she put the little rabbit in it, and then trudged down to the tool-house + for her spade and rake. + </p> + <p> + “Bunny is dead, Joey,” she called to the gardener’s little boy as she came + back. “Come help me bury him,” and so Joey trotted behind her to the spot + already selected. “We must make this hole good and deep,” she explained + (Joey stood looking on in wide-eyed wonder), “for if Doctor and Betsy + would kill a little live rabbit, there is no telling but they would dig up + a dead one.” So the hole was made at least four inches deep, Bunny was + buried in it, and the earth, with Joey’s assistance, stamped down hard, + but afterwards it was loosened somewhat to plant a little wild-wood plant + atop of the tiny grave. “Now, Joey, you wait here till I go bring + something for a tombstone,” Tattine directed, and in a second she was back + again with the cover of a box in one hand and a red crayon in the other. + Sitting flat upon the grass, she printed on the cover in rather irregular + letters:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + BORN—I don’t know when. DIED June 17th. + LAVERACK SETTERS NOT ALLOWED. +</pre> + <p> + This she put securely into place, while Joey raked up a little about the + spot, and they left the little rabbit grave looking very neat and tidy. + The next morning Tattine ran out to see how the little wild-wood plant was + growing, and then she stood with her arms akimbo in blank astonishment. + The little grave had disappeared. She kicked aside the loose earth, and + saw that box and Bunny were both gone, and, not content with that, they + had partially chewed up the tombstone, which lay upon its face a little + distance away. They, of course, meant Betsy and Doctor. “There was no use + in my putting: ‘Laverack setters not allowed,’” she said to herself + sorrowfully, and she ran off to tell her Mother of this latest tragedy. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I know, Tattine dear,” said Mrs. Gerald, in the first pause; “there + is neither pity nor mercy in the heart of a setter when he is on the scent + of a rabbit, alive or dead—but, Tattine, don’t forget they have + their good sides, Doctor and Betsy; just think how fond they are of you + and me. Why, the very sight of us always makes them beat a tattoo with + their tails.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I know, Mamma, but I can’t feel somehow that tattoos with their + tails make up for killing rabbits with their teeth.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. A MAPLE-WAX MORNING + </h2> + <p> + A team came rushing in between the gate-posts of the stone wall, and it + looked like a run-away. They were riderless and driverless, and if there + had been any harness, there was not a vestige of it to be seen; still, + they kept neck and neck, which means in horsey language side by side, and + on they came in the maddest fashion. Tattine stood on the front porch and + watched them in high glee, and not a bit afraid was she, though they were + coming straight in her direction. When they reached her they considerately + came to a sudden stop, else there is no doubt whatever but she would have + been tumbled over. + </p> + <p> + “Well, you are a team,” laughed Tattine, and they laughed back, “Yes, we + know we are,” and sat down on the step on either side of her. Of course, + that would have been a remarkable thing for some teams to do, but not for + this one, for, as you can guess, they were just two little people, Mabel + and Rudolph, but they were a perfect team all the same; everybody said so, + and what everybody meant was this—that whatever Rudolph “was up to,” + Mabel was “up to” also, and vice versa. They traveled together finely, + right “up on the bit” all the time. It would have been easier for those + who had charge of them if one or the other had held back now and then, and + set a slower pace, but as that was not their nature and could not be + helped, everybody tried to make the best of them, and everybody loved + them. Tattine did not see how she could ever have lived without them, for + they were almost as much a brother and sister to her as to each other. + This morning hey had come over by invitation for what they called a + Maple-wax morning, and that was exactly what it was, and if you have never + had one of your own, wait till you read about this one of Tattine’s, and + then give your dear Mamma no peace until you have had one, either in your + kitchen in town, or in the woods out of town, which is better. One thing + is necessary to its complete enjoyment, however: you must have a “sweet + tooth,” but as most little people cut that particular tooth very early, + probably you are among the fortunate number. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I don’t see what we are sitting here for,” said Mabel at last. + </p> + <p> + “Neither do I,” said Tattine; “I was only giving you a chance to get a + little breath. You did not seem to have much left.” + </p> + <p> + “No more we had,” laughed Rudolph, who was still taking little swallows + and drawing an occasional long breath, as people do when they have been + exercising very vigorously. “But if everything is ready.” he added, “let + us start.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, everything is ready,” said Tattine quite complacently, as she led + the way to the back piazza, where “everything” was lying in a row. There + was the maple sugar itself, two pounds of it on a plate, two large kitchen + spoons, a china cup, two sheets of brown wrapping-paper, two or three + newspapers, a box of matches, a pail of clear spring water, a hammer, an + ice-pick, and last, and most important of all, a granite-ware kettle. + </p> + <p> + “Now if you’ll carry these,” explained Tattine, “I’ll run and tell Philip + to bring the ice,” so Rudolph and Mabel “loaded up” and marched down to + the camp, and Tattine disappeared in the direction of the ice-house. The + camp was not far away, and consisted of a cosy little “A” tent, a hammock + hung between two young chestnuts, and a fire-place made of a circle of + stones on the ground, with a crane hanging above it. The crane was quite + an elaborate contrivance, for which Joseph the gardener was to be thanked. + </p> + <p> + The long branch on which the pot hung was pivoted, if you know what that + is, on an upright post fastened firmly in the ground, and in such a way + that you could “higher it,” as Tattine said, or lower it, or swing it + clear of the fire on either side. At the end of the branch away from the + fire hung a chain, with a few blocks tied into it, for a weight, so that + you lifted the weight with one hand when you wished to change the position + of the branch with the other, and then let it rest on the ground again at + the spot where you wanted the pole to stay. You see, the great advantage + of this was that, when you wished to see how things were going on inside + of the kettle, or to stop its boiling instantly—you could just swing + it away from the fire in no time, and not run the risk of burning face or + hands, or petticoats, if you belong to the petticoat family.` + </p> + <p> + “Now,” panted Tattine, for it was her turn to be breathless with running, + “I’ll break the sugar if you two will make the fire, but Rudolph’s to + light it and he’s the only one who is to lean over it and put the wood on + when it’s needed. Mamma says there is to be a very strict rule about that, + because skirts and fluffy hair like mine and Mabel’s are very dangerous + about a fire,” and then Tattine proceeded to roll the maple sugar in the + brown paper so as to have two or three thicknesses about it, and then, + laying it upon a flat stone, began to pound and break it with the hammer. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Rudolph, on his knees on the ground, and making balls of + newspaper for the foundation of the fire; “it’s lucky for Mabel and me + that fire is one thing about which we can be trusted.” + </p> + <p> + “I shouldn’t wonder if it’s the only thing,” laughed Tattine, whereupon + Mabel toppled her over on the grass by way of punishment. + </p> + <p> + “No, but honest!” continued Rudolph, “I have just been trained and trained + about fire. I know it’s an awfully dangerous thing. It’s just foolhardy to + run any sort of risk with it, and it’s wise when you make a fire in the + open air like this, to stand on the same side as the wind comes from, even + if you haven’t any skirts or fluffy hair to catch.” + </p> + <p> + “Here’s some more wood, grandfather,” said Mabel solemnly, dumping an + armful down at his side; “I should think you were eighty to hear you + talk,” and then Mabel had her punishment by being chased down the path and + plumped down rather hard in the veriest tangle of brambles and briars. It + chanced, however, that her corduroy skirt furnished all the protection + needed from the sharp little thorns, so that, like “Brer Rabbit,” she + called out exultingly, “‘Born and bred in a briar-patch, Brer Rudolph, + born and bred in a briar-patch,’” and could have sat there quite + comfortably, no one`knows how long, but that she heard the maple sugar go + tumbling into the kettle. And then she heard Tattine say, “A cup of water + to two pounds, isn’t it?” Then she heard the water go splash on top of the + maple sugar. Now she could stand it no longer, and, clearing the briars at + one bound, was almost back at the camp with another. + </p> + <p> + By this time the fire was blazing away finely, and the sugar, with the + help of an occasional stirring from the long-handled spoon in Rudolph’s + hand, soon dissolved. Dissolving sometimes seems to be almost a day’s + journey from boiling, and the children were rather impatient for that + stage to be reached. At last, however, Rudolph announced excitedly, “It + boils, it boils! and now I mustn’t leave it for a minute. More wood, + Mabel! don’t be so slow, and, Tattine, hurry Philip up with that ice,” but + Philip was seen at that moment bringing a large piece of ice in a + wheelbarrow, so Tattine was saved that journey, and devoted the time + instead to spreading out one of the pieces of wrapping-paper, to keep the + ice from the ground, because of the dead leaves and “things” that were + likely to cling to it. + </p> + <p> + “Now break off a good-sized piece, Tattine,” Rudolph directed, “and put it + on a piece of paper near the fire,” but Tattine knew that was the next + thing to do, so what was the use of Rudolph’s telling her? It happens + quite frequently that people who are giving directions give too many by + far. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Mabel,” continued the drum-major, “will you please bring some more + wood, and will you please put your mind on it and keep bringing it? These + little twigs that make the best fire burn out in a twinkling, please + notice,” but Mabel did not hurry so very much for the next armful; since + she could see for herself there was no great need for haste. Rudolph was + simply getting excited, but then the making of maple-wax is such a very + responsible undertaking, he could not be blamed for that. You need to stop + its boiling at precisely the right moment, else it suddenly reaches the + point where, when you cool it, it grows brittle like “taffy,” and then + good-bye to maple-wax for that kettleful. So Rudolph, every half-minute, + kept dripping little streams of the boiling sugar from the spoon upon the + piece of ice, and Tattine and Mabel kept testing it with their fingers and + tongues, until both at last exclaimed in one and the same breath, “It’s + done! it’s done! Lift it off the fire quickly; it’s just right.” Just + right means when the sugar hardens in a few seconds, or in a little more + than half a minute, into a delicious consistency like—well, just + like maple-wax, for there is nothing else in the world that I know of with + which to compare it. Then the children seated themselves around the great + cake of ice, and Rudolph, with the kettle on the ground beside him, tipped + against a log of wood at just the right angle, continued to be master of + ceremonies, and dipped spoonful after spoonful of the syrup, and let it + trickle over the ice in queer fantastic shapes or in little, thin round + discs like griddle-cakes. The children ate and ate, and fortunately it + seems for some reason, to be the most harmless sweet that can be indulged + in by little people. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I’ve had enough,” remarked Rudolph at the expiration of say a + quarter of an hour, “but isn’t it wonderful that anything so delicious can + just trickle out of a tree?” his unmannerly little tongue the while making + the circuit of his lips in search of any lingering traces of sweetness. + </p> + <p> + “Trickle out of a tree!” exclaimed astonished Tattine. + </p> + <p> + “Why, yes, don’t you know that’s the way they make maple sugar? In the + spring, about April, when the sap begins to run up into the maple-trees, + and often while the snow is still on the ground, they what they call tap + the tree; they drive a sort of little spout right into the tree and soon + the sap begins to ooze out and drop into buckets that are placed to catch + it. Afterwards they boil it down in huge kettles made for the purpose. + They call it sugaring off, and it must be great fun.” + </p> + <p> + “Not half so much fun, I should think, as sugaring down,” laughed Mabel, + with her right hand placed significantly where stomachs are supposed to + be. + </p> + <p> + “And now I am going to run up to the house,” explained Tattine, getting + stiffly up from a rather cramped position, “for three or four plates, and + Rudolph, you break off some pieces of ice the right size for them, and we + will make a little plateful from what is left for each one up at the + house, else I should say we were three little greedies. And Mabel, while I + am gone you commence to clear up.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you are rather cool, Tattine,” said Mabel, but she obediently set + to work to gather things together. + </p> + <p> + As you and I cannot be a bit of help in that direction, and have many of a + clearing-up of our own to do, I propose that we lose not a minute in + running away from that little camp, particularly as we have not had so + much as a taste of the delicious wax they’ve been making. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. A SET OF SETTERS + </h2> + <p> + It was a great bird-year at Oakdene. Never had there been so many. The + same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the + front and back piazzas. The robins, as usual, were everywhere. The + Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth + of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note + in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke + told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, + witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to + have discovered it was exactly that, long ago. But the glory of the summer + were the orioles and the scarlet tanagers; the orioles with their + marvellous notes, and the tanagers in their scarlet golfing coats glinting + here and there in the sunshine. Nests everywhere, and Tattine on one long + voyage of discovery, until she knew where at least twenty little bird + families were going to crack-shell their way into life. But there was one + little family of whose whereabouts she knew nothing, nor anyone else for + that matter, until “Hark, what was that?”—Mabel and Rudolph and + Tattine were running across the end of the porch, and it was Rudolph who + brought them to a standstill. + </p> + <p> + “It’s puppies under the piazza, that’s what it is,” declared Tattine; + “where ever did they come from, and how ever do you suppose they got + there?” + </p> + <p> + “I think it’s a good deal more important to know how you’ll ever get them + out,” answered Rudolph, who was of a practical turn of mind. + </p> + <p> + “I’ll tell you what,” said Tattine thoughtfully, “shouldn’t wonder if they + belong to Betsy. I’ve seen her crowding herself through one of the + air-holes under the piazza several times lately,” whereupon the children + hurried to peer through the air hole. Nothing was to be seen, however, for + the piazza floor was not more than a foot and a half from the ground, and + it was filled with all sorts of weeds that flourished without sunshine. + Still the little puppy cries were persistently wafted out from some remote + corner, and, pulling off his jacket, Rudolph started to crawl in and + investigate. It did not seem possible that he could make his way, for the + place was not high enough for him even to crawl on his hands and knees, + and he had rather to worm himself along on his elbows in quite + indescribable fashion. Still, Tattine and Mabel were more than ready to + have him try, and waited patiently, bending over with their hands upon + their knees, and gazing in through the weed-grown hole in breathless, + excited fashion. + </p> + <p> + “I believe I’ll have to give it up,” Rudolph called back; “the cries seem + as far off as ever and I’m all but scratched to pieces.” “Oh, don’t! + don’t!” cried Tattine and Mabel, in one breath, and Mabel added, “We MUST + know what they are and where they are. I shall go in myself if you come + out.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you wouldn’t go more than three feet then, I can tell you,” and + Rudolph was right about that. It was only because he hated to give the + thing up, even more than the girls hated to have him, that made him + persevere. “Well, here they are at last!” he cried exultingly, a few + moments later; “one, two three, four of them, perfect little beauties too. + And they must belong to Betsy; they’re just like her.” + </p> + <p> + “Bring one out, bring one out!” called both the children, and fairly + dancing with delight. + </p> + <p> + “Bring out your grandmother! It’s all I can manage to bring myself out, + without holding on to a puppy.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” Tattine called back, with her usual instant acceptance of the + inevitable, “but I know what,” and then she was off in a flash, with Mabel + following closely to find out what WHAT might be. + </p> + <p> + It was Joseph the gardener whom Tattine wanted, and she found him where + she thought she would, killing potato-bugs in the kitchen-garden. + </p> + <p> + “What do you think, Joseph? Betsy has a beautiful set of little setters + under the piazza. Come quick, please! and see how we can get them out.” + </p> + <p> + Joseph followed obediently. “Guess we’ll have to let them stay there till + they crawl out,” said Joseph; “Betsy’ll take as good care of them there as + anywhere,” whereupon the children looked the picture of misery and + despair. At this moment Rudolph emerged from the hole a mass of grass and + dirt stains, and both Mabel and Tattine thought he had been pretty plucky, + though quite too much preoccupied to tell him so, but Rudolph happily felt + himself repaid for hardships endured, in the delight of his discovery. + </p> + <p> + “It will be a month before they’ll have sense enough to crawl out,” he + remarked to Joseph, “and they’re wedged in between some old planks in very + uncomfortable fashion. They look like fine little fellows too. I think we + ought to manage in some way to get them out.” + </p> + <p> + “And it would be bad if any of them died there,” said Joseph, rubbing his + head and still ruminating on the subject; “very bad. Well, we’ll have to + see what we` can do about it.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you see right away?” urged Tattine eagerly. + </p> + <p> + “May as well, I reckon,” and Joseph walked off in the direction of the + tool-house, but to Tattine’s regret evidently did not appreciate any need + for extreme haste. + </p> + <p> + In a little while he was back again with Patrick, and both of them were + carrying spades. “There’s only one way to do it,” he explained, as they + set to work; “you see, the pillars of this porch rest on a stone + foundation, so as to support the rooms above, and we’ll have to dig out + three or four of the large stones and then dig a sort of trench to + wherever the puppies are,” and Rudolph was able of course to indicate the + exact spot to which the trench must lead. It was the work of an hour to + excavate the foundation-stones, and an additional half-hour to dig the + trench. Meantime Betsy appeared upon the scene, and, evidently + appreciating what was going on, stood about and superintended matters with + quite an important air. Rudolph clambered in and dug the last few feet of + the trench, because it did not need to be as large for him as for Joseph + and Patrick, and then one at a time he brought the dear little puppies + out, and Mabel and Tattine took turns in appropriating them, while Betsy + eyed them proudly but withal a little anxiously. And they were dear; as + prettily marked as their beautiful grandmother Tadjie, and too cunning for + words. + </p> + <p> + “You have made us a great deal of trouble, Betsy,” said Tattine, “but they + are such beauties we forgive you,” whereat Betsy looked up so + affectionately that Tattine added, “and perhaps some day I’ll forgive you + about that rabbit, since Mamma says it’s natural for you to hunt them.” + But Betsy, indifferent creature, did not care a fig about all that; her + only care was to watch her little puppies stowed away one by one on fresh + sweet-smelling straw, in the same kennel where Doctor and his brothers and + sisters had enjoyed their puppy-hood, and then to snuggle up in a round + ball close beside them. They were Betsy’s puppies for a certainty. There + had been no doubt of that from the first glimpse Rudolph gained of them in + their dark little hole under the porch. But the next morning came and then + what do you suppose happened? A very weak little puppy cry came from under + the porch. Another puppy, that was what it meant, and Joseph was very much + out of patience, for the trench had been filled up and the + foundation-stones carefully replaced. + </p> + <p> + “Rudolph ought to have made sure how many there were,” he said rather + growlily. + </p> + <p> + “But, Joseph, this puppy cry comes from another place way over here, it + seems to me,” and Tattine ran to a spot on the porch several yards from + that under which the others had been found. “I believe it must have been a + cleverer little puppy than the others, and crawled away by itself to see + what the world was like, and that is why Rudolph missed finding it.” + </p> + <p> + Joseph put his hand to his ear and, listening carefully, concluded that + Tattine was right. “Now I’ll tell you what I am going to do,” he said; “I + can make just a little hole, large enough for a puppy to get through, + without taking out a foundation-stone, and I’m going to make it here, near + where the cry seems to come from. Then I am going to tie Betsy to this + pillar of the porch, and I believe she’ll have sense enough to try and + coax the little fellow out, and if the is such an enterprising little chap + as you think he’ll have sense enough to come out.” + </p> + <p> + It seemed a good plan. Betsy was brought, and Tattine sat down to listen + and watch. Betsy, hearing the little cries, began at once to coax, giving + little sharp barks at regular intervals, and trying to make the hole + larger with her paws. + </p> + <p> + Tattine’s ears, which were dear little shells of ears to look at, and very + sharp little ears to hear with, thought the cries sounded a little nearer, + and now a little nearer; then she was sure of it, and Betsy and she, both + growing more excited every minute, kept pushing each other away from the + hole the better to look into it, until at last two little beads of eyes + glared out at them, and then it was an easy thing for Tattine to reach in + and draw out the prettiest puppy of all. + </p> + <p> + “Why didn’t you tell us there were five, Betsy, and save us all this extra + trouble?” and Tattine hurried away to deposit number five in the kennel; + but Betsy looked up with the most reproachful look imaginable as though to + say, “How much talking could you do if you had to do it all with your eyes + and a tail?” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. MORE TROUBLES + </h2> + <p> + Patrick Kirk was raking the gravel on the road into pretty criss-cross + patterns, and Tattine was pretending to help him with her own garden rake. + Patrick was one of Tattine’s best friends and she loved to work with him + and to talk to him. Patrick was a fine old Irishman, there was no doubt + whatever about that, faithful and conscientious to the last degree. Every + morning he would drive over in his old buggy from his little farm in the + Raritan Valley, in abundant time to begin work on the minute of seven, and + not until the minute of six would he lay aside spade or hoe and turn his + steps towards his old horse tied under the tree, behind the barn. But the + most attractive thing about Patrick was his genial kindly smile, a smile + that said as plainly as words, that he had found life very comfortable and + pleasant, and that he was still more than content with it notwithstanding + that his back was bowed with work month in and month out, and the years + were hurrying him fast on into old age. + </p> + <p> + And so Tattine was fond of Patrick, for what (child though she was) she + knew him to be, and they spent many a delightful hour in each other’s + company. + </p> + <p> + “Patrick,” said Tattine, on this particular morning, when they were raking + away side by side, “does Mrs. Kirk ever have a day at home?” and she + glanced at Patrick a little mischievously, doubting if he would know just + what she meant. + </p> + <p> + “Shure she has all her days at home, Miss Tattine, save on a holiday, when + we go for a day’s drive to some of our neighbors’, but I doubt if I’m + catching just what you’re maning.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! I mean does she have a day sometimes when she gets ready for company + and expects to have people come and see her, the way ladies do in town?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, no, miss; she don’t do that, for, tin to one, nobody’d come if she + did. We belongs to the workin’ classes, Molly and I, and we has no time + for the doing of the loikes of city people.” + </p> + <p> + “I’m sorry she hasn’t a day,” said Tattine, “because—because—” + </p> + <p> + “If ye’re maning that you’d like to give us a call, miss,” said Patrick, + beginning to take in the situation, “shure she could have a day at home as + aisy as the foinest lady, and proud indeed she’d be to have it with your + little self for the guest of honor.” + </p> + <p> + “I would like to bring Rudolph and Mabel, Patrick.” + </p> + <p> + “And what should hinder, miss?” + </p> + <p> + “And I’d like to have it an all-day-at-home, say from eleven in the + morning until five in the afternoon, and not make just a little call, + Patrick.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course, miss, a regular long day, with your donkey put into a stall in + the barn, and yourselves and the donkey biding for the best dinner we can + give ye.” + </p> + <p> + “And I’d like to have you there, Patrick, because we might not feel AT + HOME just with Mrs. Kirk.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I don’t know, miss; do you suppose your Father could spare me?” and + Patrick thought a little regretfully of the dollar and a half he would + insist upon foregoing if he took a day off, but at the same moment he + berated himself soundly for having such an ungenerous thought. “Indade, + miss, if you’ll manage for me to have the day I’ll gladly stay to home to + make ye welcome.” + </p> + <p> + “Then it’s settled, Patrick, and we’ll make it the very first day Papa can + spare you.” They had raked down, while they had been having this + conversation, to close proximity to two pretty rows of apple-trees that + had been left on the front lawn, a reminder of the farm that “used to be,” + and the sight of the trees brought a troubled look into Tattine’s face. + “Patrick,” she said ruefully, “do you know that some of the nests in these + trees have been robbed of their eggs? Four or five of them are empty now. + Have you an idea who could do such a thing?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I have an idea,” and Patrick rested his hands upon the handle of his + rake and looked significantly towards the barn; “somebody who lives in the + barn, I’m thinkin’.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, Joseph would not do it, nor Philip the groom, and little Joey is too + small to climb these trees.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s something smaller than Joey, miss. Whisht now, and see if she’s not + up to mischief this minute.” + </p> + <p> + Tattine’s little black-and-white kitten, whose home was in the barn, had + been frisking about her feet during all the raking, but as the raking came + under the apple-trees, other thoughts came into her little black-and-white + head, and there she was stealthily clawing her way up the nearest tree. + Tattine stood aghast, but Patrick’s “whisht” kept her still for a moment, + while the cat made its way along one of the branches. Tattine knowing well + the particular nest she was seeking, made one bound for her with her rake, + and with such a scream as certainly to scare little Black-and-white out of + at least one of the nine lives to which she is supposed to be entitled. + But pussy was too swift and swiftly scrambled to the very topmost twig + that would hold her weight, while Tattine danced about in helpless rage on + the grass beneath the tree. “Tattine is having a fit,” thought little + Black-and-white, scared half to death and quite ready to have a little fit + of her own, to judge from her wild eyes and bristling tail. + </p> + <p> + Tattine’s futile rage was followed in a few minutes by, “Oh, Patrick, I + never dreamt it was Kittie. Has SHE been TRAINED to do it, do you think?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh. no, miss; it just comes natural to cats and kittens to prey upon + birds and birds’ nests.” + </p> + <p> + “Patrick,” said Tattine solemnly, “there is not going to be any + four-legged thing left for me to love. I am done with Betsy and Doctor, + and now I’m done with Black-and-white. I wonder if Mamma can make it seem + any better,” and then she turned her steps to the house in search of + comfort, but she had gone only half-way when the coachman, who was waiting + at the door with the little grey mare and the phaeton, motioned to her to + come quietly. Tattine saw at a glance what had happened, and sped swiftly + back to Patrick. “Keep Black-and-white up the tree,” she said, in a + breathless whisper; “don’t let her go near the nest, and don’t let her + come down for the world. The little Phoebe-birds have lit.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, miss,” not at all understanding the situation, but more than + willing to obey orders. Tattine was in such haste to get back to the house + that she hardly heard his answer. What she had tried to tell him was that + the five little fledglings, crowded into the tiny nest under the eaves of + the porch, had taken it into their heads to try their first flight at that + precise moment, and there they were perched on the shafts of the phaeton, + lighting, as it seemed, on the first thing they came to, while the father + and mother birds were flying about in frantic anxiety to see them in such + a perilous situation. How could those tiny little untrained claws keep + their hold on that big round, slippery shaft, and if the carriage started + down they would surely go under the wheels or under the feet of that + merciless little grey mare. But the little fledglings were in better hands + than they knew, for, with the exceptions of Betsy, Doctor, and + Black-and-white, every living thing at Oakdene was kind to every other + living thing. + </p> + <p> + “Whoa, girlie; whoa, girlie,” had been Patrick’s quieting words to Lizzie, + and then when Tattine came hurrying that way he had motioned her to come + quietly for fear of frightening them. Then, as you know, Tattine flew to + make sure that treacherous Black-and-white was kept close guarded, and + then back she flew again to the aid of the little birds themselves. Softly + she drew nearer and nearer, saying over gently, “Whoa, Lizzie! dear little + birdies!” until she came very near and then she put out one hand towards + them. That was enough for the fledglings. Refreshed by their rest on the + shafts, they flapped their tiny wings and fluttered up to the anxious + mother bird on the branches above them, wholly unconscious that they had + been in any peril whatsoever. + </p> + <p> + “And Black-and-white would have killed them, every one, if she had had the + chance,” thought Tattine; “oh, if I only knew how to teach her a lesson!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. THE KIRKS AT HOME + </h2> + <p> + Barney the donkey was harnessed, and Tattine sat in the little donkey-cart + waiting, and as she waited she was saying aloud, “What, Grandma Luty? Yes, + Grandma Luty. No, Grandma Luty. What did you say, Grandma Luty?” and this + she said in the most polite little tone imaginable. Meantime Rudolph and + Mabel, discovering that Tattine did not see them, came stealing along + under cover of the apple-trees. + </p> + <p> + “Whatever is Tattine doing, talking to herself like that?” whispered + Mabel, and then they came near enough to hear what she was saying. + </p> + <p> + “She’s out of her head,” said Rudolph, when they had listened some + moments, and then Tattine turned round and saw them. + </p> + <p> + “No, I’m not out of my head at all,” she laughed; “I was just practicing a + little while I waited for you.” + </p> + <p> + “Practicing your GRANDMOTHER,” which as you have observed was a pet + expression with Rudolph, whenever he wished to intimate that he considered + your remarks to be simply absurd. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, that’s exactly it,” Tattine answered good-naturedly. “I am + practicing my Grandmother. Grandma Luty, that’s Mamma’s mother, has come + to make us a visit, and Mamma has discovered that I’m not very polite to + old people. Children used to be taught, you know, to say, ‘Yes’m,’ and + ‘Yes, sir,’ but now that is not considered nice at all, and you must + always say the name of the person you are speaking to, especially if they + are older people, to whom you ought to be respectful,” and Tattine sounded + quite like a little grandmother herself as she talked. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, we know, and it’s an awful bother,” sighed Rudolph. “We’re fairly + nagged about it, Mabel and I, but Mother says she’s going to keep it up + until we always do it. Perhaps we would get on faster if we practised by + ourselves as you do, but really, Tattine, it did sound as though you were + out of your head, to hear you saying all those sentences over to + yourself.” + </p> + <p> + While the children were having this little talk about politeness, Rudolph + and Mabel had climbed into the wagon, and the donkey, acting upon a + suggestion from Tattine’s whip, had started down the roadway. The trio + were off for Patrick’s, for this was to be the day of the Kirks’ “At + Home,” and, dressed in kis Sunday-best, Patrick that very minute was + waiting at his door to receive them. + </p> + <p> + Full two miles lay ahead of the children, and though Barney fortunately + seemed to be in the mood for doing his best, Patrick would still have a + full half-hour to wait. At last the donkey-cart drew up at the Kirks’ door + and two happy old people welcomed three happy little people into their + comfortable little home. It would take another book, the size of this one, + to tell you all the doings of that August day. First they went into the + house and laid their wraps on the white coverlid of the great high + feather-bed in the little spare room, and then Mrs. Kirk sat them down to + three little blue bowls of bread-and-milk, remarking, “shure you must be + after being hungry from your long drive,” and the children ate it with far + more relish than home bread-and-milk was ever eaten. + </p> + <p> + “Now I’m doubting,” said Patrick, standing with his back to the + cooking-stove and with a corn-cob pipe in his mouth, “if it’s the style to + have bread-and-milk at ‘At Homes’ in the city.” + </p> + <p> + “Patrick,” answered Tattine seriously, “we do not want this to be a city + ‘At Home.’ I don’t care for them at all. Everybody stays for just a little + while, and everybody talks at once, and as loudly as they can, and at some + of them they only have tea and a little cake or something like that to + eat,” and Tattine glanced at the kitchen-table over by the window with a + smile and a shake of the head, as though very much better pleased with + what she saw there. A pair of chickens lay ready for broiling on a blue + china platter. Several ears of corn were husked ready for the pot they + were to be boiled in. A plate of cold potatoes looked as though waiting + for the frying-pan, and from the depths of a glass fruit-dish a beautiful + pile of Fall-pippins towered up to a huge red apple at the top. + </p> + <p> + “Indade, thin, but we’ll do our best,” said Mrs. Kirk, “to make it as + different from what you be calling a city ‘At Home’ as possible, and now + suppose you let Patrick take you over our bit of a farm, and see what you + foind to interest you, and I’m going wid yer, while ye have a look at my + geese, for there’s not the loike of my geese at any of the big gentlemin’s + farms within tin miles of us.” + </p> + <p> + And so, nothing loth, the little party filed out of the house, and after + all hands had assisted in unharnessing Barney and tying him into his + stall, with a manger-full of sweet, crisp hay for his dinner, they + followed Mrs. Kirk’s lead to the little pond at the foot of the + apple-orchard. And then what did they see! but a truly beautiful great + flock of white geese. Some were sailing gracefully around the pond, some + were pluming their snowy breasts on the shore beside it, and three, the + finest of them all, and each with a bow of ribbon tied round its long + neck, were confined within a little picket-fence apart from the others. + </p> + <p> + “Why, what beauties, Mrs. Kirk!” exclaimed Tattine, the minute she spied + them, “and what are the ribbons for? Do they mean they have taken a prize + at some show or other? And why do they each have a different color?” + </p> + <p> + “They mane,” said Mrs. Kirk proudly, standing with her hands upon her hips + and her face fairly beaming, “they mane as how they’re to be presinted to + you three children. The red is for Master Rudolph, the white is for Miss + Mabel, and the blue is for you, Miss Tattine.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Mrs. Kirk!” the three children exclaimed, with delight, and Mabel + added politely, “But do you really think you can spare them, Mrs. Kirk?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, of course she can! can’t you, Mrs. Kirk?” cut in Rudolph warmly, for + the idea of relinquishing such a splendid gift was not for a moment to be + thought of. “I wonder how we can get them home,” he added, by way of + settling the matter. + </p> + <p> + “Indade, thin, and I have this foine crate ready to go right in the back + of your cart,” and there, to be sure, was a fine sort of cage with a board + top and bottom and laths at the sides, while other laths were lying ready + to be nailed into place after the geese should have been stowed away + within it. The children were simply wild over this addition to their + separate little sets of live-stock, and although the whole day was + delightful, there was all the while an almost impatient looking forward to + the supreme moment when they should start for home with those beautiful + geese in their keeping. And at last it came. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder if my goose will be a little lonely,” said Tattine, as they all + stood about, watching Patrick nail on the laths. + </p> + <p> + “Faith and it will thin,” said Mrs. Kirk. “It never came to my moind that + they wouldn’t all three be together. Here’s little Grey-wing to keep + Blue-ribbon company,” and Mrs. Kirk seized one of the smaller geese that + happened to be near her, and squeezed it into the cage through the small + opening that was left. + </p> + <p> + “Well, if you can spare it, I think that is better, Mrs. Kirk, because + everything has a companion over at our place. We have two cats, two pairs + of puppies, two little bay horses, and two greys, and two everything, but + as there’s only one of me I am friends with them all—” + </p> + <p> + “Bless your heart, but I’m glad you thought to mintion it,” and then + Patrick and Mrs. Kirk gave each little extended hand a hearty shake, and + the children—declaring over and over that “they had a lovely time + and were so much obliged for the geese”—climbed into the cart and + set off for home. + </p> + <p> + “I’d go the short cut by the ford,” advised Patrick; “it looks like we + might get a shower by sunset.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I think we would better,” said Rudolph, glancing toward the clouds + in the west Rudolph prided himself on his ability to forecast the weather, + and was generally able to tell correctly when a shower was pretty sure to + come and when it was likely to “go round.” + </p> + <p> + So Barney was coaxed into a good gait, which he was ready as a rule to + take towards home, and the little ford by way of a farm-lane, and which + saved a good mile on the road home, was soon reached. Barney knew the + place well and, always enjoying it, picked his way carefully to the middle + of the ford, and then he took it into his stubborn little head to stand + stock still, and to plant his four hoofs firmly in the nice soft mud at + the bottom of the stream. + </p> + <p> + “Go on,” urged Tattine; “Go on,” urged Mabel, and Rudolph applied his + sapling whip with might and main, but all to no effect. Meantime some + geese from a neighboring farm had come sailing out into the ford, to have + a look at their friends in the crate, and the geese in the crate, wild to + be out on the water with their comrades, craned their long necks far out + between the laths, and set up a tremendous squawking. It was rather a + comical situation, and the children laughed till their sides ached, but + after a while it ceased to be so funny. The clouds were rolling up + blacker, and there was an occasional flash of lightning far off in the + distance, but Barney stood still obdurate and unmoved, simply revelling in + the sensation of the cool water, running down-stream against his four + little donkey-legs. At last Rudolph was at his wits’ end, for what did + Tattine and Mabel do but commence to cry. Great drops of rain were falling + now, and they COULD NOT BEAR THE THOUGHT of being mid-way in that stream + with the storm breaking right above their heads, and when girls, little or + big, young or old, cannot bear the thought of things they cry. It does not + always help matters; it frequently makes them more difficult, but then + again sometimes it does help a little, and this appeared to be one of + those things, for when the girls’ crying put Rudolph to his wits’ end, he + realized that there was just one thing left to try, and that was to jump + overboard and try and pull Barney to land, since Barney would not pull + him. So into the water he jumped, keeping the reins in his hand, and then, + getting a little ahead of Barney, he began to walk and pull. Now + fortunately, there is nothing like the force of example, which simply + means that when Barney saw Rudolph walking and pulling he began to walk + and pull too. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, while Patrick and his wife were thinking that the children had + had plenty of time to reach home before the storm, there was great anxiety + in the two homes where those three dear children lived. Patrick the + coachman and Philip the groom had been sent with the wagonette by the main + road to Patrick Kirk’s—Patrick to bring the children and Philip to + take charge of Barney, but as the children were coming home, or rather + trying to come home, by the ford, of course they missed them. + </p> + <p> + All the while the storm was growing in violence, and suddenly for about + five minutes great hailstones came beating down till the lawn was fairly + white with them, and the panes of glass in the green-house roof at Oakdene + cracked and broke beneath them. “And those three blessed children are + probably out in it all,” thought Tattine’s Mother, standing pale and + trembling at her window, and watching the road which the wagonette would + have to come. And then what did she see but Barney, trotting bravely up + the hill, with the geese still craning their necks through the laths of + the cage, but the reins dragging through the mud of the roadway, and with + no children in the little cart. Close behind him came the wagonette, which + Barney was cleverly managing to keep well ahead of, but Mrs. Gerald soon + discovered that neither were the children in that either. In an instant + she was down the stairs and out on the porch to meet Patrick at the door. + </p> + <p> + “It isn’t possible you have no word of the children?” she cried excitedly. + </p> + <p> + “Patrick Kirk says they started home by the ford in time to reach here an + hour before the storm,” gasped Patrick, “but we came back by the ford + ourselves and not a sign have we seen of them, till Barney ran out of the + woods ahead of us five minutes ago.” + </p> + <p> + And then a dreadful thought flashed through her mind. Could it be possible + they had been drowned in the ford? But that moment her eyes saw something + that made her heart leap for joy, something that looked drowned enough, + but wasn’t. Rudolph was running up the hill as fast as his soaking + clothing would let him, and, reaching the door breathless enough, he sank + down on the floor of the porch. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Mrs. Gerald,” he said, as soon as he could catch his breath, “Mabel + and Tattine are all right; they’re safe in the log play-house at the + Cornwells’, but we’ve had an awful fright. Is Barney home? When the hail + came I tied him to a tree and we ran into the log house, but he broke away + the next minute and took to his heels and ran as fast as his legs could + carry him. Barney’s an awful fraud, Mrs. Gerald.” + </p> + <p> + But Mrs. Gerald had no time just then to give heed to Barney’s misdoings. + Seizing a wrap from the hall, she ordered Rudolph into the house and to + bed, as quickly as he could be gotten there, sent Philip to Rudolph’s + Mother with the word that the children were safe, and then started off in + the wagonette to bring Mabel and Tattine home. + </p> + <p> + “Mamma,” said Tattine, snuggling her wet little self close to her Mother’s + side in the carriage, “Rudolph was just splendid, the way he hauled Barney + and us and the cart out of the water, but Mamma, I am done with Barney now + too. He’s not to be trusted either.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Gerald thought of two or three things that might be urged in Barney’s + favor, but it did not seem kind even to attempt to reason with two such + tired and soaking little specimens, so she only said, “Well, Barney can + never again be trusted in the ford, that’s one sure thing.” + </p> + <p> + “No, indeed,” said Mabel warmly; “I would not give fifty cents for him.” + </p> + <p> + “You can have him for nothing,” said Tattine, with a wan little smile; + “after this he can never be trusted in anything.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. “IT IS THEIR NATURE TO.” + </h2> + <p> + Tattine was getting on beautifully with her attempt to use Grandma Luty’s + name at the proper time, and in the proper place, and she was getting on + beautifully with grandma herself as well. She loved everything about her, + and wished it need not be so very long till she could be a grandma + herself, have white hair and wear snowy caps atop of it, and kerchiefs + around her neck, and use gold eye-glasses and a knitting-basket. Grandma + Luty, you see, was one of the dear, old-fashioned grandmothers. There are + not many of them nowadays. Most of them seem to like to dress so you + cannot tell a grandmother from just an ordinary everyday mother. If you + have a grandmother—a nice old one, I mean—see if you cannot + get her into the cap and kerchief, and then show her how lovely she looks + in them. But what I was going to tell you was that Grandma Luty’s visit + was all a joy to Tattine, and so when, just at daylight one morning, the + setter puppies in their kennel at the back of the house commenced a + prodigious barking, Tattine’s first thought was for Grandma. + </p> + <p> + “It’s a perfect shame to have them wake her up,” she said to herself, “and + I know a way to stop them,” so, quiet as a mouse, she stole out of bed, + slipped into her bed-slippers and her nurse’s wrapper, that was lying + across a chair, and then just as noiselessly stole downstairs, and + unlocking the door leading to the back porch, hurried to open the gate of + the kennel, for simply to let the puppies run she knew would stop their + barking. Tattine was right about that, but just as she swung the gate + open, a happy thought struck those four little puppies’ minds, and as she + started to run back to the house, all four of them buried their sharp + little teeth in the frill of Priscilla’s wrapper. + </p> + <p> + Still Tattine succeeded in making her way across the lawn back to the + door, although she had four puppies in tow and was almost weak from + laughing. + </p> + <p> + She knew perfectly well what a funny picture she must make, with the + wrapper that was so much too large for her, only kept in place by the big + puff sleeves: and with the puppies pulling away for dear life, it the + train. When she reached the screen door, she had a tussle with them, one + by one, taking a sort of reef in the trailing skirt as each puppy was + successfully disposed of, until all of it was clear of the sharp little + teeth, and she could bang the door to between them. + </p> + <p> + I do not believe Grandma Luty ever laughed harder than when Tattine told + her all about it as they sat together in the porch that morning after + breakfast. She even laughed her cap way over on one side, so that Tattine + had to take out the gold pins and put them in again to straighten it. + </p> + <p> + “But Grandma,” said Tattine, when they had sobered down, “those puppies, + cunning as they are now, will just be cruel setters when they grow up, + killing everything they come across, birds and rabbits and chipmunks.” + </p> + <p> + “Tattine,” said Grandma Luty, with her dear, kindly smile “your Mother has + told me how disappointed you have been this summer in Betsy and Doctor and + little Black-and-white, and that now Barney has fallen into disgrace, + since he kept you so long in the ford the other day, but I want to tell + you something. You must not stop loving them at all because they do what + you call cruel things. You have heard the old rhyme:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Let dogs delight to bark and bite, + For God has made them so: + Let bears and lions growl and fight, + For ‘tis their nature to.” + </pre> + <p> + “Oh, yes, I know that,” said Tattine, “and I don’t think it’s all quite + true; our dogs don’t bite (I suppose it means biting people), bad as they + are.” + </p> + <p> + “No; I’ve always thought myself that line was not quite fair to the dogs + either, but the verses mean that we mustn’t blame animals for doing things + that it is their nature to do.” + </p> + <p> + “And yet, Grandma, I am not allowed to do naughty things because it is my + nature to.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, but, Tattine, there lies the beautiful difference. You can be + reasoned with, and made to understand things, so that you can change your + nature—I mean the part of you that makes you sometimes love to do + naughty things. + </p> + <p> + “There’s another part of your nature that is dear and good and sweet, and + doesn’t need to be changed at all. But Betsy and Doctor can only be + trained in a few ways, and never to really change their nature. + </p> + <p> + “Setters have hunted rabbits always, kittens have preyed upon birds, and + donkeys, as a rule, have stood still whenever they wanted to.” + </p> + <p> + “But why, I wonder, were they made so?” + </p> + <p> + “You nor I nor nobody knows, Tattine, but isn’t it fine that for some + reason we are made differently? If we will only be reasonable and try hard + enough and in the right way, we can overcome anything.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s a little like a sermon, Grandma Luty.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s a little bit of a one then, for it’s over, but you go this minute + and give Betsy and Doctor a good hard hug, and tell them you forgive + them.” + </p> + <p> + And Tattine did as she was bid, and Doctor and Betsy, who had sadly missed + her petting, were wild with delight. + </p> + <p> + “But don’t even you yourselves wish,” she said, looking down at them + ruefully, “that it was not your nature to kill dear little baby rabbits?” + </p> + <p> + And Tattine thought they looked as though they really were very sorry + indeed. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Tattine, by Ruth Ogden + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TATTINE *** + +***** This file should be named 1816-h.htm or 1816-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/8/1/1816/ + +Produced by Dianne Bean, and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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