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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Clematis, by Bertha B. Cobb and Ernest Cobb
+
+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: Clematis
+
+Author: Bertha B. Cobb
+        Ernest Cobb
+
+Illustrator: A. G. Cram
+             Willis Levis
+
+Release Date: September 6, 2008 [EBook #26543]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CLEMATIS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+OTHER BOOKS
+BY BERTHA B. AND ERNEST COBB
+
+ARLO
+CLEMATIS
+ANITA
+PATHWAYS
+ALLSPICE
+DAN'S BOY
+PENNIE
+ANDRÉ
+ONE FOOT ON THE GROUND
+ROBIN
+
+----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+[Illustration: "Are you going to sit here all day, little girl?"]
+
+----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+CLEMATIS
+
+By
+BERTHA B. AND ERNEST COBB
+
+Authors of Arlo, Busy Builder's Book,
+Hand in Hand With Father Time, etc.
+
+With illustrations by
+A. G. Cram
+and
+Willis Levis
+
+G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS
+New York and London
+
+----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Copyright, 1917
+
+By BERTHA B. and ERNEST COBB
+
+Entered at Stationers' Hall, London
+for Foreign Countries
+
+Twenty-second Impression
+
+All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, must
+not be reproduced in any form without permission.
+
+Made in the United States of America
+
+----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Somerset, Mass.
+
+Dear Priscilla:
+
+You have taken such a fancy to little Clematis that we hope other
+children may like her, too. We may not be able to buy you all the
+ponies, and goats, and dogs, and cats that you would like, but we
+will dedicate the book to you, and then you can play with all the
+animals Clematis has, any time you wish.
+
+                                          With much love, from
+                                       Bertha B. and Ernest Cobb.
+
+To Miss Priscilla Cobb.
+
+----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+CONTENTS
+
+Chapter                                  Page
+     1.  Lost in a Big City                 1
+     2.  The Children's Home               16
+     3.  The First Night                   28
+     4.  Who is Clematis?                  41
+     5.  Clematis Begins to Learn          52
+     6.  Clematis Has a Hard Row to Hoe    61
+     7.  What Clematis Found               72
+     8.  A Visitor                         86
+     9.  The Secret                        97
+    10.  Two Doctors                      109
+    11.  A Long, Anxious Night            121
+    12.  Getting Well                     134
+    13.  Off for Tilton                   145
+    14.  The Country                      160
+    15.  Clematis Tries to Help           172
+    16.  Only a Few Days More             186
+    17.  Where is Clematis?               200
+    18.  Hunting for Clematis             215
+    19.  New Plans                        230
+    20.  The True Fairy Story             237
+
+----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+1. "Are you going to sit here all day, little girl?"
+2. "I don't want to stay here if you're going to throw my cat away."
+3. With Katie in the kitchen.
+4. Thinking of the land of flowers.
+5. Clematis held out her hand.
+6. Clematis is better.
+7. Off for Tilton.
+8. In the country at last.
+9. The little red hen.
+10. Clematis watched the little fishes by the shore.
+11. "I shan't be afraid."
+12. A little girl was coming up the path.
+13. Deborah was very hungry.
+14. "Didn't you ever peel potatoes?"
+15. "What are you sewing?"
+16. Clematis stuck one hand out.
+17. She could see the little fish.
+18. In Grandfather's house.
+
+----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+
+
+CLEMATIS
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+LOST IN THE BIG CITY
+
+
+It was early Spring. A warm sun shone down upon the city street. On
+the edge of the narrow brick sidewalk a little girl was sitting.
+
+Her gingham dress was old and shabby. The short, brown coat had lost
+all its buttons, and a rusty pin held it together.
+
+A faded blue cap partly covered her brown hair, which hung in short,
+loose curls around her face.
+
+She had been sitting there almost an hour when a policeman came
+along.
+
+"I wonder where that girl belongs," he said, as he looked down at
+her. "She is a new one on Chambers Street."
+
+He walked on, but he looked back as he walked, to see if she went
+away.
+
+The child slowly raised her big, brown eyes to look after him. She
+watched him till he reached the corner by the meat shop; then she
+looked down and began to kick at the stones with her thin boots.
+
+At this moment a bell rang. A door opened in a building across the
+street, and many children came out.
+
+As they passed the little girl, some of them looked at her. One
+little boy bent down to see her face, but she hid it under her arm.
+
+"What are you afraid of?" he asked. "Who's going to hurt you?"
+
+She did not answer.
+
+Another boy opened his lunch box as he passed, and shook out the
+pieces of bread, left from his lunch.
+
+Soon the children were gone, and the street was quiet again.
+
+The little girl kicked at the stones a few minutes; then she looked
+up. No one was looking at her, so she reached out one little hand
+and picked up a crust of bread.
+
+In a wink the bread was in her mouth. She reached out for another,
+brushed off a little dirt, and ate that also.
+
+Just then the policeman came down the street from the other corner.
+The child quickly bent her head and looked down.
+
+This time he came to where she sat, and stopped.
+
+"Are you going to sit here all day, little girl?" he asked.
+
+She did not answer.
+
+"Your mother will be looking for you. You'd better run home now,
+like a good girl. Where do you live, anyway?"
+
+He bent down and lifted her chin, so she had to look up at him.
+
+"Where do you live, miss? Tell us now, that's a good girl."
+
+"I don't know." The child spoke slowly, half afraid.
+
+"O come now, of course you know, a big girl like you ought to know.
+What's the name of the street?"
+
+"I don't know."
+
+"Ah, you're only afraid of me. Don't be afraid of Jim Cunneen now.
+I've a little girl at home just about your age."
+
+He waited for her to answer, but she said nothing.
+
+"Come miss, you must think. How can I take you home if you don't
+tell me where you live?"
+
+"I don't know."
+
+"Oh, dear me! That is all I get for an answer. Well then, I'll have
+to take you down to the station. May be you will find a tongue down
+there."
+
+As he spoke, he took hold of her arm to help her up. Then he tried
+one more question.
+
+"What is your name?"
+
+"My name is Clematis."
+
+As she spoke she moved her arm, and out from the coat peeped a
+kitten. It was white, with a black spot over one eye.
+
+"There, that is better," answered the policeman. "Now tell me your
+last name."
+
+"That is all the name I have, just Clematis."
+
+"Well then, what is your father's name?"
+
+"I haven't any father."
+
+"Ah, that is too bad, dear. Then tell me your mother's name." He
+bent down lower to hear her reply.
+
+"I haven't any mother, either."
+
+"No father? No mother?" The policeman lifted her gently to her feet.
+"Well miss, we won't stay here any longer. It is getting late."
+
+Just then the kitten stuck its head out from her coat and said,
+"Miew."
+
+It seemed very glad to move on.
+
+"What's that now, a cat? Where did you get that?"
+
+"It is my kitty, my very own, so I kept it. I didn't steal it. Its
+name is Deborah, and it is my very own."
+
+"Ah, now she is finding her tongue," said the policeman, smiling;
+while Clematis hugged the kitten.
+
+But the little girl could tell him no more, so he led her along the
+street toward the police station.
+
+Before they had gone very far, they passed a baker's shop.
+
+In the window were rolls, and cookies, and buns, and little cakes
+with jam and frosting on them.
+
+The smell of fresh bread came through the door.
+
+"What is the matter, miss?" The man looked down, as Clematis stood
+still before the window.
+
+She was looking through the glass, at the rolls, and cakes, and
+cookies.
+
+[Illustration: "I don't want to stay here if you are going to
+throw my cat away"]
+
+The policeman smelled the fresh bread, and it made him hungry.
+
+"Are you hungry, little girl?" he asked, looking down with a smile.
+
+"Wouldn't you be hungry if you hadn't had anything to eat all day
+long?" Clematis looked up at him with tears in her big brown eyes.
+
+"Nothing to eat all day? Why, you must be nearly starved!" As he
+spoke, the policeman started into the store, pulling Clematis after
+him.
+
+She was so surprised that she almost dropped her kitten.
+
+"Miew," said poor Deborah, as if she knew they were going to starve
+no longer. But it was really because she was squeezed so tight she
+couldn't help it.
+
+"Now, Miss Clematis, do you see anything there you like?"
+
+Jim Cunneen smiled down at Clematis, as she peeped through the glass
+case at the things inside.
+
+She stood silent, with her nose right against the glass.
+
+There were so many things to eat it almost took her breath away.
+
+"Well, what do you say, little girl? Don't you see anything you
+like?"
+
+"May I choose anything I want?"
+
+"Yes, miss. Just pick out what you like best."
+
+The lady behind the counter smiled, as the policeman lifted Clematis
+a little, so she could see better. There were cakes, and cookies,
+and buns, and doughnuts.
+
+"May I have a cream cake?" asked Clematis.
+
+"Of course you may. What else?" He lifted her a bit higher.
+
+"Miew!" said Deborah, from under her coat.
+
+"Oh, excuse me, cat," he said, as he set Clematis down. "I forgot
+you were there too."
+
+The woman laughed, as she took out a cream cake, a cookie with nuts
+on it, and a doughnut.
+
+"May I eat them now?" asked Clematis, as she took the bag.
+
+"You start right in, and if that's not enough, you can have more.
+But don't forget the cat."
+
+Jim Cunneen laughed with the baker woman, while Clematis began to
+eat the doughnut, as they started out.
+
+Before long they came to a brick building that had big doors.
+
+"Here we are," said the policeman. They turned, and went inside.
+
+There another policeman was sitting at a desk behind a railing.
+
+"Well, who comes here?" asked the policeman at the desk.
+
+"That is more than I know," replied Jim Cunneen. "I guess she's lost
+out of the flower show. She says her name is Clematis."
+
+Clematis said nothing. Her mouth was full of cream cake now, and a
+little cream was running over her fingers.
+
+Deborah was silent also. She was eating the last crumbs of the
+doughnut.
+
+"Is that all you could find out?" The other man looked at Clematis.
+
+"She says she has no father and no mother. Her cat is named Deborah.
+That is all she told me."
+
+"Oh, well, I guess you scared her, Jim. Let me ask her. I'll find
+out."
+
+The new policeman smiled at Clematis. "Come on now, sister," he
+said. "Tell us where you live. That's a good girl."
+
+Clematis reached up one hand and took hold of her friend's big
+finger. She looked at the new policeman a moment.
+
+"If you didn't know where you lived, how could you tell anyone?" she
+said.
+
+Jim Cunneen laughed. He liked to feel her little hand.
+
+"See how scared she is of me," he said. "We are old friends now."
+
+Again they asked the little girl all the questions they could think
+of. But it was of no use. She could not tell them where she lived.
+She would not tell them very much about herself.
+
+At last the Captain came in. They told him about this queer little
+girl.
+
+He asked her questions also. Then he said:
+
+"We shall have to send her to the Home. If anyone claims her he can
+find her there."
+
+So Clematis and Deborah were tucked into the big station wagon, and
+Jim Cunneen took her to the Home, where lost children are sheltered
+and fed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE CHILDREN'S HOME
+
+
+As they climbed the steps leading to the Home, Clematis looked up at
+the policeman.
+
+"What is this place?" she asked.
+
+"This is the Children's Home, miss. You will have a fine time
+here."
+
+A young woman with a kind face opened the door.
+
+The policeman did not go in. "Here is a child I found on Chambers
+Street," he said. "We can't find out where she lives."
+
+"Oh, I see," said the woman.
+
+"Could you take her in for a while, till we can find her parents?"
+
+"Yes, I guess we have room for her. Come in, little girl."
+
+At that moment there was a scratching sound, and Deborah stuck her
+head out.
+
+"Miew," said Deborah, who was still hungry. Perhaps she thought it
+was another bakery.
+
+"Dear me!" cried the young woman, "we can't have that cat in here."
+
+Clematis drew back, and reached for Jim Cunneen's hand.
+
+"It's a very nice cat, I'm sure," said the policeman.
+
+He felt sorry for Clematis. He knew how she loved her kitten.
+
+"But it's against the rules. The children can never have cats or
+dogs in here."
+
+Clematis, with tears in her eyes, turned away.
+
+"Come on," she said to her big friend. "Let us go."
+
+But Jim Cunneen drew her back. He loved little girls, and was also
+fond of cats.
+
+"Don't you think the cook might need it for a day or two, to catch
+the rats?" he asked, with his best smile.
+
+"Oh dear me, I don't know. I don't think so. It's against the rules
+for children to bring in pets."
+
+"Ah then, just wait a minute. I'll be right back."
+
+The policeman ran down the steps and around the corner of the house,
+while the young woman asked Clematis questions.
+
+"It's all right then, I'm sure," he called as he came back. "Katie
+says she would be very glad to have that cat to help her catch the
+rats."
+
+The young woman laughed; Clematis dried her tears, and Jim Cunneen
+waved his hand and said goodby.
+
+In another moment the door opened, and Clematis, with Deborah still
+in her arms, was in her new home.
+
+It was supper hour at the Children's Home. In the big dining room
+three long tables were set.
+
+At each place on the clean, bare table was a plate, a small yellow
+bowl, and a spoon.
+
+Beside each plate was a blue gingham bib.
+
+Jane, one of the girls in the Home, was filling the bowls on her
+table with milk from a big brown pitcher.
+
+Two little girls worked at each of the tables. While one filled the
+bowls, the other brought the bread.
+
+She put two thick slices of bread and a big cookie on each plate.
+
+The young woman who had let Clematis in, came to the table near the
+door.
+
+"There is a new girl at your table tonight, Jane," she said. "She
+will sit next to me."
+
+"All right, Miss Rose," answered Jane, carefully filling the last
+yellow bowl.
+
+"Please may I ring the bell tonight, Miss Rose?" asked Sally, who
+had been helping Jane.
+
+Miss Rose looked at the table. Every slice of bread and every cookie
+was in place.
+
+"Yes, dear; your work is well done. You may ring."
+
+At the sound of the supper bell, a tramping of many feet sounded in
+the long hall.
+
+The doors of the dining room were opened, and Mrs. Snow came in,
+followed by a double line of little girls.
+
+Each girl knew just where to find her place, and stood waiting for
+the signal to sit.
+
+A teacher stood at the head of each table, and beside Miss Rose was
+the little stranger.
+
+Mrs. Snow was the housemother. She asked the blessing, while every
+little girl bowed her head.
+
+Clematis stared about at the other children all this time, and
+wondered what they were doing.
+
+Now they were seated, and each girl buttoned her bib in place before
+she tasted her supper.
+
+Sally sat next to Clematis.
+
+"They gave you a bath, didn't they?" she said, as she put her bread
+into her bowl.
+
+Clematis nodded.
+
+"And you got a nice clean apron like ours, didn't you?"
+
+Clematis nodded again.
+
+"Oh, see her hair, it's lovely!" sighed a little girl across the
+table, who had short, straight hair.
+
+Clematis' soft brown curls were neatly brushed, and tied with a dark
+red ribbon.
+
+She did not look much like the child who came in an hour before.
+
+"What's her name?" asked Jane, looking at Miss Rose.
+
+"We'll ask her tomorrow. Now stop talking please, so she can eat her
+supper."
+
+At that, the little girl looked up at Miss Rose and said: "My name
+is Clematis, and my kitty's name is Deborah."
+
+Just as she said this, a very strange noise was heard. Every child
+stopped eating. Miss Rose turned red, and Mrs. Snow looked up in
+surprise.
+
+"Miew, miew, miew," came from under the table. In another minute a
+little head peeped over the edge of the table where Clematis sat. It
+was a kitten, with a black spot over one eye.
+
+"Miew, miew," Deborah continued, and stuck her little red tongue
+right into the yellow bowl. She was very hungry, and could wait no
+longer.
+
+[Illustration: Deborah was very hungry]
+
+Mrs. Snow rapped on the table, for every child laughed right out.
+What fun it was! No one had ever seen a cat in there before.
+
+"Miss Rose, will you kindly put that cat out. Put her out the front
+door." Mrs. Snow was very stern. She didn't wish any cats in the
+Home.
+
+Clematis looked at Mrs. Snow. Her eyes filled with tears, and she
+began to sob.
+
+Miss Rose turned as red as Deborah's tongue. She had not asked Mrs.
+Snow if she might let the cat in. She thought it would stay in the
+kitchen with Katie.
+
+"Did you hear me, Miss Rose? I wish you would please put the cat out
+the door. We can't have it here."
+
+Miss Rose started to get up, when Clematis slipped out of her chair,
+hugging Deborah tightly to her breast.
+
+The tears were running down her cheeks, as she started for the
+door.
+
+"Where are you going, little girl?" said Mrs. Snow.
+
+Clematis did not answer, but kept right on.
+
+"Stop her, Miss Rose. What is the matter, anyway? Dear me, what a
+fuss!"
+
+Miss Rose caught Clematis by the arm.
+
+"Wait, dear," she said. "Don't act like that. Answer Mrs. Snow."
+
+"I don't care," sobbed Clematis, looking back. "I don't want to stay
+here if you are going to throw my cat away."
+
+"I should have asked you, Mrs. Snow," said Miss Rose. "She had the
+kitten with her. She cried to bring it in, and Katie said she would
+care for it in the kitchen."
+
+"Oh, so that is it. Well, don't cry, child. Take it back to Katie,
+and tell her to keep the door shut."
+
+"She's hungry," said Clematis, drying her eyes on her sleeve.
+
+"Well, ask Katie to feed her then, and come right back to the
+table."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE FIRST NIGHT
+
+
+Supper was soon finished, with many giggles from the little girls,
+who hoped that Deborah would get in again.
+
+Clematis ate every crumb of her bread and cookie. Her yellow bowl
+looked as if Deborah had lapped it dry.
+
+"After supper, we play games. It's great fun," said Sally, as they
+were folding their bibs.
+
+The bell rang, and the long line of children formed once more.
+
+They marched out through the long hall, up the broad stairs to the
+play room.
+
+There were little tables, with low chairs to match. Some of the
+tables held games.
+
+In one corner of the room was a great doll house, that a rich lady
+had given to the Home.
+
+In another corner was a small wooden swing with two seats.
+
+A rocking horse stood near the window, and a box of bean bags lay on
+a low shelf near by.
+
+Soon all were playing happily, except Clematis, who stood near the
+window.
+
+She was looking at the trees, which were sending out red buds. The
+sun had set, and the sky was rosy with the last light of day.
+
+"Don't you want to play?" asked Miss Rose, coming across the room.
+
+Clematis shook her head.
+
+"What would you like to do, dear?"
+
+Clematis thought a moment.
+
+"I should like to help Katie in the kitchen. She must need some
+little girl."
+
+Miss Rose smiled. "If Clematis can get down into the kitchen, she
+can see her kitten," she thought. "She is a sly little puss
+herself."
+
+"I don't think you could go down tonight, but if you are a good girl
+I am sure Katie will want you to help her before long."
+
+Clematis smiled.
+
+"Come now, and I will ask Jane to show you the doll house."
+
+So the little girls took Clematis over to the doll house that stood
+in the corner.
+
+Jane opened the front door, so they could look in and see four
+pretty rooms.
+
+Lace curtains hung at the tiny windows. New rugs were on the
+floors.
+
+There was a tiny kitchen, with a tiny stove and tiny kettles, all
+just like your own house. It was enough to make any girl happy.
+
+It was so much fun that Clematis forgot to be sad, and was not ready
+to leave the doll house when the bell rang once more. It was
+bedtime.
+
+"That is the sleepy bell," said Jane, closing the door to the doll
+house, and running toward the stairs.
+
+Clematis was at the end of the row, as the girls went out of the
+playroom, and Miss Rose spoke as she passed through the door.
+
+"I will show you where you are to sleep, my dear. You go with the
+other children, and I'll come in a few minutes."
+
+Clematis followed the other children up the stairs to the sleeping
+rooms.
+
+Miss Rose soon came, and together they went to the room at the end
+of the hall.
+
+How sweet that room looked to the tired little stranger!
+
+A white iron bed stood against the wall, near the window. A small
+table held a wash basin and pitcher. There was a cup and soap dish,
+too.
+
+Two clean towels hung near by.
+
+Best of all was the little white bureau, with a mirror. The mirror
+had a white frame.
+
+There was a pink rug before the bureau, and beside the bureau was a
+white chair.
+
+"Oh, my!" cried Clematis, "see the flowers on the wall!" The pink
+wall paper was covered with white roses and their green leaves.
+
+Miss Rose took a white nightdress from the bureau, and laid it on
+the bed.
+
+"Now, Clematis, I shall give you just ten minutes to undress. When I
+come back I want you to be all ready for me."
+
+Miss Rose went out, and Clematis started on her shoes.
+
+"I guess she don't know how fast I can undress," she said to
+herself.
+
+When Miss Rose came back, in ten minutes, she found Clematis already
+in bed, and half asleep.
+
+"Why Clematis, this will never do!" Miss Rose pulled back the sheet
+and made Clematis sit up.
+
+There, beside the bed, was a pile of clothes. There were the
+stockings, just as she had pulled them off.
+
+The boots were thrown down on the clean gingham dress, and the fresh
+apron was sadly crushed.
+
+"I am sorry, little girl," said Miss Rose, "but you will have to get
+right up."
+
+"Why?" asked Clematis.
+
+"No little girl can go to bed without washing her face and hands. No
+little girl can leave her clothes like this."
+
+"Isn't this my room?" said Clematis, slowly getting out of bed.
+
+"It is for tonight. We always let a new child sleep alone the first
+night."
+
+"Wasn't I quick in getting into bed? Why must I get up?"
+
+"Look, dear. Look at that pile of clothes."
+
+"Oh, I always leave them there," replied Clematis. "Then I know just
+where to find them in the morning."
+
+"We don't do so here, Clematis. Now please pick up the clothes, fold
+them, and put them on the chair.
+
+"Then put your boots under the chair, and take off your pretty hair
+ribbon."
+
+Clematis gathered the clothes together, but she was not happy.
+
+"I know you are tired, dear, but I am tired too, and we must do
+things right, even if we are tired.
+
+"Now I must show you how to wash, and brush your teeth, and then
+have you say your prayers, before I can leave you."
+
+"Oh bother!" sighed Clematis.
+
+"No, we mustn't say words like that. Come now, we will get washed."
+
+Miss Rose poured some water from the pitcher, and made Clematis wash
+her hands, and arms, and face, carefully. Then she took a toothbrush
+from a box and gave it to her.
+
+"What is this for?" asked Clematis.
+
+"Why dear," answered Miss Rose in surprise, "that is a tooth
+brush."
+
+"A tooth brush! Why, there is no hair on my teeth."
+
+Miss Rose laughed. "No dear, perhaps not, but we must brush them
+carefully each night with water, or they will soon be aching."
+
+"Will that stop teeth from aching?"
+
+"Yes indeed, it will help very much to keep them from aching."
+
+"All right, then." Clematis began to brush her teeth. "My teeth
+ached last week. I nearly died," she answered.
+
+The teeth were cleaned, and Clematis was ready for bed.
+
+"Now dear, let us say our prayers."
+
+"I don't know any prayers."
+
+Miss Rose looked at Clematis in pity. "Don't you really know any
+prayers at all?"
+
+"Would you know any prayers if you had never learned any?"
+
+Miss Rose smiled sadly.
+
+"Well, then," she said, "we will learn the Lord's Prayer, and then
+you will know the most beautiful prayer of all."
+
+They knelt down together, and Clematis said over the words after
+Miss Rose.
+
+"Now good night, dear, and pleasant dreams," said Miss Rose, as she
+tucked her in.
+
+"Good night," said Clematis.
+
+The door closed, and all was dark.
+
+The maple trees swayed gently outside the window.
+
+They nodded to Clematis, as she watched them with sleepy eyes.
+
+One little star peeped in at her through the maple tree.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+WHO IS CLEMATIS?
+
+
+The bright sun was shining on the red buds of the maple tree when
+Clematis woke the next morning.
+
+It was early. The rising bell had not rung. Clematis got up and
+looked out of the open window.
+
+She could see nothing but houses across the street, but the buds of
+the maple were beautiful in the sun.
+
+"I wish I had some of those buds to put in my room," said Clematis
+to herself.
+
+She took her clothes, and began to dress. While she was dressing,
+she looked again at the maple buds, and wanted them more than ever.
+
+"If I reached out a little way, I could get some of those, I just
+know I could," she thought.
+
+As soon as she got her shoes on she pushed the window wide open.
+
+She leaned out. Some beautiful buds were very near, but she could
+not quite reach them.
+
+She leaned out a little farther. Then she climbed upon the window
+sill.
+
+They were still out of her reach.
+
+For a minute she stopped. Then she put one foot out in the gutter.
+With one hand she held the blind, and reached out to the nearest
+branch.
+
+At last she had it. She drew it nearer, and broke off a piece with
+many buds.
+
+As the piece broke off, the branch flew back again to its place, and
+Clematis almost fell back through the window to the floor.
+
+She patted the red buds and made a little bunch of them. She filled
+her cup with water and put the buds in it; then she put it on the
+bureau.
+
+Clematis was looking proudly at them, when the door opened, and Miss
+Rose came in.
+
+She looked at Clematis, and then at the buds.
+
+"Why, Clematis!" she said.
+
+Then she looked out the window. There, several feet beyond the
+window, was the broken end. Drops of sap were running from the white
+wood.
+
+"How did you get those buds?" asked Miss Rose.
+
+"I reached out of the window," said Clematis, "why, was that
+stealing?"
+
+Miss Rose gasped.
+
+"Clematis, do you mean to tell me that you climbed out of the window
+and reached for that branch?"
+
+Clematis nodded. Tears came into her eyes. She must have done
+something very wrong, but she did not know just what was so wicked
+about taking a small branch from a maple tree.
+
+"I didn't know it was stealing," she sobbed.
+
+"It isn't that, Clematis. It is not wrong to take a twig, but think
+of the danger. Don't you know you might have fallen and killed
+yourself?"
+
+Clematis wiped her eyes on her sleeve.
+
+"Oh, that's nothing," she said, "I had hold of the blind all the
+time. I couldn't fall."
+
+"Now, Clematis, no child ever did such a thing before, and you must
+never, never, do it again. Do you understand?"
+
+"Yes'm."
+
+"Do you promise?"
+
+"Yes'm."
+
+"Well then, let's get ready for breakfast."
+
+Clematis washed her face and hands, brushed her hair, and cleaned
+her teeth carefully.
+
+Soon she was ready to go down stairs, and took one of the maple buds
+to put in her dress.
+
+As they went out, Miss Rose saw that she wanted to say something.
+
+"Do you want something?" she said.
+
+"Can I help Katie this morning?"
+
+"After breakfast I will ask Mrs. Snow, but breakfast is almost ready
+now."
+
+Just then the breakfast bell rang, and Clematis marched in with the
+other children. She was thinking about Deborah, and wondering if she
+had caught any rats.
+
+For breakfast they had baked apples, oatmeal with milk, and rye
+gems.
+
+It did not take them long to eat this. Soon they were through, and
+ready for the morning work.
+
+As they were getting up, Mrs. Snow came to speak to Miss Rose.
+
+Clematis held her breath when she heard what was said.
+
+"Perhaps this little girl would like to go down and play with her
+kitten a while. We can find some work for her by and by."
+
+"Oh yes," said Clematis, "I would."
+
+"Well, you can tell Katie I said you might. Be sure not to get in
+her way."
+
+Off ran Clematis to the kitchen, to find her dear Deborah.
+
+There she was, curled up like a little ball under the stove.
+
+She looked with sleepy eyes at Clematis, and crawled down into her
+lap.
+
+Then Clematis smoothed her and patted her, till she purred her very
+sweetest purr.
+
+"Ah," said Katie. "It's a fine cat. It caught a big rat in the
+night, and brought it in, as proud as pie."
+
+"Do you think they will let me keep her?" asked Clematis.
+
+"Oh, I guess so. If she catches the rats, she will be welcome here.
+You can be sure of that. I hate rats."
+
+While Clematis and Deborah were having such a good time in the
+kitchen, Mrs. Snow took Miss Rose to her room.
+
+"Well, Miss Rose, have you found out anything about that strange
+little child?"
+
+"Not very much yet. She talks very little, and has had very little
+care."
+
+"What makes you think so?"
+
+"Why, the poor child didn't know what a tooth brush was for. She
+said she always left her clothes in a pile by the bed, because she
+could find them all in the morning."
+
+Mrs. Snow sighed.
+
+"Dear me, she will need much care, to teach her how to do things
+well. But I guess her folks will come for her before long."
+
+"I don't know who her folks can be. She has never learned any
+prayers."
+
+"Poor child, she must be a sad case." Mrs. Snow sighed again.
+
+"But she is very fearless. This morning, before I went to her room,
+she had climbed out of the window and broken off a piece of the
+maple tree with buds on it."
+
+"What, way up there at the roof?"
+
+"Yes, she said that was nothing, for she had hold of the blind."
+
+"What did she want the branch for?"
+
+"She wanted it for the red buds. She broke them off and put them in
+her cup, like flowers."
+
+"Well, Miss Rose, take her out to walk this afternoon, and ask her
+some questions. Perhaps you can find out where she lives."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+CLEMATIS BEGINS TO LEARN
+
+
+Clematis played with Deborah all the morning. She forgot about
+helping Katie, and when Katie asked her if she wanted to help her
+peel some potatoes, she said:
+
+"I don't know how."
+
+[Illustration: "Didn't you ever peel potatoes?"]
+
+"Didn't you ever peel potatoes?" asked Katie.
+
+"No, I never had to do any work."
+
+"Well, you will have to be doing some work round here. It's lucky
+for you that Mrs. Snow is good to little girls. You would have a
+hard row to hoe in some homes, believe me."
+
+Clematis was busy tying her hair ribbon round Deborah's neck, and
+did not answer.
+
+The morning went fast, and the dinner was ready before Clematis was
+ready to leave her kitten.
+
+For dinner they had soup, in the little yellow bowls, with a big
+piece of Johnny cake, and some ginger bread.
+
+As soon as dinner was over, Miss Rose brought Clematis a brown
+coat.
+
+It was not new, but it was neat and warm, much better than the one
+she had worn the day before.
+
+"Come, Clematis," she said, "I am going out to walk. Don't you want
+to go with me?"
+
+"Where are you going?" asked Clematis, shrinking back.
+
+"Oh, out in the park, and down by the river. I think you will like
+it."
+
+Clematis put on the coat as quickly as she could. Then she took Miss
+Rose by the hand.
+
+"Come on, let's go," she said.
+
+"You might wait till I get my coat and hat on." Miss Rose was
+laughing at her.
+
+Soon they were down by the river. Miss Rose sat on the gravel, while
+Clematis ran along the edge of the water.
+
+She sailed bits of wood for boats, and threw little stones in, to
+see the rings they made. She was very, very happy.
+
+"Clematis," said Miss Rose, "don't you remember the street you lived
+on?"
+
+Clematis thought a minute.
+
+"How would you know the street you lived on if nobody ever told
+you?"
+
+Miss Rose thought a moment.
+
+"Don't you remember your mother's name?"
+
+Clematis shook her head.
+
+"I don't remember. It was a long time ago."
+
+"Do you mean she died a long time ago?"
+
+Miss Rose asked her some other questions. At last she said:
+
+"Well, tell me the name of the man you lived with."
+
+"His name was Smith."
+
+"Oh dear, there are so many Smiths, we shall never guess the right
+one. Dear me, Clematis. I don't know how we shall ever find your
+home."
+
+Clematis threw a big stone into the water, which made a big splash.
+
+"I hope you never will," she said.
+
+"Why, Clematis! Do you mean that you wish never to go back where you
+came from?"
+
+"Well, how would you like to live in a place where you had to stay
+in an old brick yard all day, and never saw even grass?"
+
+[Illustration: Thinking of the land of flowers]
+
+Miss Rose thought a while. Then she got up and started back to the
+Home.
+
+Clematis followed her slowly. She was sorry to go.
+
+That night Mrs. Snow talked with Miss Rose again.
+
+"She must have lived in the city," said Miss Rose. "She had to stay
+in a yard paved with bricks all day. She doesn't remember her
+parents at all. She ran away, that is sure."
+
+"I hardly know what to do," said Mrs. Snow, at last. "She can stay
+here for a while, and perhaps the people she lived with will find
+her here."
+
+So Mrs. Snow told the policeman what they had found out, and he said
+they would do the best they could to find her people.
+
+That night Clematis did not go to the little room near the maple
+tree to sleep. She went into the big room.
+
+Jane slept in the bed next to hers. Miss Rose told her to see that
+Clematis had what help she needed in going to bed.
+
+The day had been a busy one for Clematis. She was very sleepy.
+
+"I guess I won't bother with teeth and things tonight," she said to
+herself.
+
+So she pulled off her clothes, and got into bed.
+
+"Oh Clematis, you can't do that. You've got to pick up your clothes,
+and clean your teeth, and do lots of things."
+
+Jane came and shook her, as she snuggled under the clothes.
+
+"Oh, I'm too tired tonight. I'll do it tomorrow night."
+
+Clematis did not stir.
+
+Just then Miss Rose came into the sleeping room.
+
+She saw Jane trying to get Clematis out of bed. She also saw the
+pile of clothes.
+
+"Clematis, I can't have this. Get right out of bed, and do as I told
+you last night."
+
+She wanted children to obey her, and she had tried to be very kind
+to Clematis.
+
+The other children giggled, as Clematis got slowly out of bed.
+
+But Miss Rose frowned at them.
+
+"You see that she does every single thing she ought," said Miss Rose
+to Jane, "and if she doesn't, you tell me."
+
+Then Miss Rose went away, and left the girls to get ready for bed.
+
+Poor Clematis had a hard time of it. The other girls made fun of
+her, because she was so clumsy and slow. At last she got her clothes
+folded up, and went to wash.
+
+"She isn't washing her neck and ears," said Jane to herself, "but I
+guess I won't tell."
+
+So at last Clematis got into bed again, and went to sleep.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+CLEMATIS HAS A HARD ROW TO HOE
+
+
+It was all Jane could do the next morning to make Clematis get up
+when the rising bell rang.
+
+"I don't want to get up yet," grumbled Clematis. "I will get up
+pretty soon."
+
+"No you won't either. You'll get up right off now. We have to be
+ready for breakfast in fifteen minutes."
+
+Jane pulled down the clothes, while the other girls laughed. Poor
+Clematis had to get up.
+
+At first she was cross, but when she looked out of the window, she
+smiled.
+
+From this window she could see way off to a beautiful hill, golden
+brown in the morning sun.
+
+Part way to the hill was a river. Its little waves shimmered and
+danced. Its shores were quite green already.
+
+Now Clematis was wide awake and happy. She started to dress.
+
+"Wash first," said Jane.
+
+Clematis started to grumble again, but when she looked into the
+mirror above the wash stand, there was the river, smiling at her in
+the mirror.
+
+She knew this river. She had been there. Perhaps she would go again
+some day.
+
+For breakfast they had a bowl of oatmeal and milk, with two slices
+of bread.
+
+Clematis looked around while they were eating.
+
+"Don't you ever get a cup of coffee for breakfast?" she asked of
+Sally, who sat next to her.
+
+"Oh, no, never, but sometimes we have cocoa, on real cold
+mornings."
+
+Clematis turned up her nose a little. She did not care much for
+oatmeal.
+
+"I like doughnuts and coffee a great deal better," she said.
+
+"Huh, you won't have any doughnuts and coffee round here," said
+Jane. "You'd better eat what you have."
+
+Clematis took her advice, and had just finished her bread, when the
+bell sounded.
+
+"Now, Clematis," said Miss Rose, "you are going to stay here for a
+while anyway, so you must take your part in the daily work."
+
+"Yes'm."
+
+"I think you said yesterday you would like to help Katie in the
+kitchen."
+
+"Oh, yes'm," said Clematis. She had been thinking of Deborah and
+longing to see her.
+
+"Well, let's go down and see what Katie can find for you to do."
+
+There was Deborah, sleeping under the edge of the stove. Clematis
+took her while Miss Rose was asking Katie.
+
+"This little girl thinks she would like to have some work down here
+in the kitchen, Katie. Is there anything you would like her to do?"
+
+"Ah, no thank you, Miss Rose, she wouldn't be any use at all."
+
+Clematis looked up. She did not feel very happy.
+
+"Why, don't you think she could help you?" Miss Rose looked
+surprised.
+
+"No miss, she is no use at all. Yesterday I asked her to peel some
+potatoes, but she never lifted a finger. She said she didn't know
+how."
+
+"Why, Clematis, I am surprised."
+
+"Well," said Clematis, "if you never learned to peel potatoes, would
+you know how to do it?"
+
+"Yes, I think I should. Katie would have shown you, if you had been
+willing to try."
+
+Clematis hung her head, and buried her face in Deborah's soft fur.
+
+"You see, miss, she's of no use to me. She don't want to work at
+all. Her cat, now, is a worker. She caught a big rat in the night."
+
+"Well then, Clematis, we shall have to ask Mrs. Snow to find you
+something else to do."
+
+Clematis dropped her kitten, and the tears ran down her cheeks, as
+she followed Miss Rose upstairs.
+
+Katie looked after her with a sad smile.
+
+"She'll have a hard row to hoe round here, believe me," she said to
+herself.
+
+Mrs. Snow frowned when Miss Rose told her.
+
+"I am very sorry," she said. "She may work with Jane, then, in the
+dormitory. Jane is a good worker and can teach her."
+
+Poor Clematis was rather frightened when she heard that she was to
+work in the dormitory. She was afraid a dormitory was some dark
+place like a prison. She did not know that the dormitory was the big
+room where she had slept.
+
+Soon Clematis was back in the big room again. There she took the
+place of another little girl, who was making up the beds with Jane.
+
+"Hurry up now," said Jane. "We have got to get these beds all made
+up before nine o'clock. School begins then."
+
+She showed Clematis how to tuck the sheet in, down at the foot, and
+pull it up smooth at the head of the bed.
+
+Clematis was looking out of the window, way over the river, to the
+sunny brown hill.
+
+"There now. Why don't you look out?" said Jane. For Clematis had
+given such a pull that she pulled all the clothes out at the foot of
+the bed.
+
+"I was looking out, so there," said Clematis.
+
+"Yes, looking out of the window, that's all." Jane was vexed.
+
+"Now hurry up and get them tucked in again."
+
+But Clematis was very clumsy, and not very willing. She had never
+had to make beds before. She didn't see any need of it.
+
+"Why can't you leave the blankets till you go to bed, and then just
+pull them up?" she said, pouting.
+
+"Because you can't, that's why. And you'd better try, or you'll
+never get a chance to go to the country."
+
+"What do you mean? Who goes to the country?"
+
+Clematis came round the bed and took Jane by the arm.
+
+"Why, most of the children who do well, or try hard to do well, go
+to the country for two weeks in the summer."
+
+"To the country where the flowers grow, and where there is grass all
+around?"
+
+"Sure, and where they give you milk and apple pie. Oh, apple pie
+even for breakfast, and doughnuts between meals. I had doughnuts
+every day."
+
+"Crickety!" said Clematis.
+
+"You'd better not let Miss Rose hear you say that, and you needn't
+worry. You won't go to any country, when you can't even make beds."
+
+Clematis gave Jane a frightened look, and started to work the best
+she knew how.
+
+But the best Clematis knew how was very poor work, and by the time
+the bell rang for school, one bed still had to be done.
+
+"Let it alone," said Jane. "I can make it up faster myself."
+
+Her hands and feet moved fast enough to surprise little Clematis,
+who followed her friend down to the school room, wondering how long
+it would take her to learn to make beds.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+WHAT CLEMATIS FOUND
+
+
+School began with music, and Miss Rose went to the piano. The minute
+she began to play, Clematis stood up, and stared at her.
+
+"Sit down. Don't stand up now." Jane pulled her sleeve.
+
+But Clematis paid no attention. She kept her eyes on the piano, and
+seemed to hear nothing else.
+
+The song was of Spring; of birds, and brooks, and flowers. Clematis
+listened to every word, and when it was finished she sat down with a
+sigh.
+
+After the singing, they had a class in reading.
+
+Clematis stared at the words on the blackboard, but could not tell
+any of them.
+
+"Have you learned any of your letters?" asked Miss Rose.
+
+"No'm," said Clematis.
+
+The other children giggled, for Clematis was as large as Jane. Jane
+was eight, and could read very well.
+
+"Tomorrow you must go into the special class, and you must work
+hard, and catch up as fast as you can."
+
+"Yes'm."
+
+Clematis was angry. She didn't like to be laughed at.
+
+At recess, all the children ran out into the yard to play. It was a
+large yard, with a high wooden fence around it.
+
+Glad to be free, Jane ran off to find some chums, and left Clematis
+to play by herself.
+
+So Clematis wandered round by the fence till she came to a sunny
+spot, near the big maple tree with the red buds.
+
+Here she picked up a dead twig and sat down, turning over the dried
+leaves with the twig, and throwing them in the air.
+
+As she picked up the leaves, she saw some blades of grass beneath
+them.
+
+Then she picked up more leaves, and found many blades of grass
+growing beneath their warm shelter.
+
+Clematis got up and walked near the fence, where the leaves were
+thicker. There she poked them away, and found longer blades of
+grass, and new leaves, green and shiny.
+
+"Oh," she said to herself, "I hope I can come out here every day."
+
+Then she stopped. She pushed away some more leaves. She looked
+around at the other children.
+
+None of them were looking at her.
+
+She stooped, and took something from under the pile of leaves.
+
+Again she looked about, but nobody was paying attention to her. All
+the children were playing games.
+
+Then a sound made her look up. It was the bell. Recess was over, and
+all the children were going in.
+
+Clematis put her hand into her apron pocket quickly, and followed
+the other children back to school.
+
+"How has the new girl done today?" asked Mrs. Snow, just before they
+sat down to dinner.
+
+"She seems to feel more at home," replied Miss Rose. "She doesn't
+know her letters yet. I guess she has grown up all by herself."
+
+"That is too bad. I will give her a test this afternoon, about
+three. If she would like to play with her kitten in the playroom for
+an hour, after dinner, she may do so."
+
+"Oh, I am sure she would be glad to see her kitten. She is a queer
+child. At recess she stole away all by herself, to play by the
+fence."
+
+The children were coming in now, and Mrs. Snow nodded to Miss Rose,
+as she went to her chair.
+
+Little Sally had been just behind Miss Rose as she said the last
+words to Mrs. Snow. She heard part of the words she said, and began
+to whisper to her neighbor.
+
+"She said somebody stole something. It must be that new girl. See
+how queer she looks."
+
+Then of course the neighbor had to whisper to the girl next to her.
+
+"Do you know what it was the new girl stole? See how funny she
+looks. She'd better not steal anything of mine."
+
+In a minute Clematis knew they were talking about her. She didn't
+know what it was, but she knew it was unkind.
+
+They were looking at her, and talking to each other. Her face turned
+red. She could not eat. One hand went deep into her apron pocket.
+
+Miss Rose quickly saw that something was wrong. She knew that little
+girls often made fun of the strangers, and it vexed her.
+
+"Any little girl who is not polite," she said, "may leave the table
+at once."
+
+The girls stopped talking, but they poked each other with their feet
+under the table. They were sure Clematis had stolen something, for
+she looked just as if she had.
+
+"Come, Clematis, eat your dinner now."
+
+"Yes'm," said Clematis. But it was hard to swallow the bread.
+
+She drank the soup, and left most of the bread by her bowl.
+
+As soon as the bell rang, Miss Rose beckoned to her.
+
+"Would you like to take Deborah to the playroom for a while, and
+play with her there?"
+
+Clematis looked very much surprised. She had expected some new
+trouble.
+
+"Oh, yes'm," she gasped, and started down to the kitchen, glad to
+get away from the other girls, who had been watching.
+
+Then Miss Rose beckoned to Jane.
+
+"Jane, what were the girls saying about Clematis at the table?"
+
+Jane hung her head. She did not like to repeat such awful things
+about Clematis, for she really liked her, though it was hard to
+teach her to work.
+
+"Tell me, Jane. Miss Rose wants to know."
+
+"The girls were saying she stole something."
+
+"Stole something? Why, what did she steal, Jane?"
+
+"I don't know. I just heard them saying she had stolen something.
+She looked just as if she had."
+
+"Very well. Thank you, Jane."
+
+Jane went down to the school room, where all the girls were eager to
+know what Clematis had stolen. But Jane could tell them nothing.
+
+"She just asked me what you said," Jane declared.
+
+"That's just like Jane," cried Sally. "She knows all the time, only
+she won't tell."
+
+While they were talking, Clematis was finding a cosy corner in the
+playroom, and smoothing out every hair on Deborah's smooth back.
+
+Deborah seemed very happy, and purred all the time.
+
+"I don't care if they do say mean things, and make noses at me. You
+won't ever, will you, Debby?"
+
+"Purr, purr, purr," said Deborah. No indeed, she never would.
+
+Time went fast, and it was three o'clock before Clematis had got
+Deborah settled down for sleep in a little bed she made for her
+beneath the window.
+
+"Take her downstairs now, Clematis," said Miss Rose, coming in.
+"Then come up to Mrs. Snow's room. We want to ask you some
+questions."
+
+Again Clematis turned red. She went slowly downstairs, with Deborah
+under one arm. The other hand deep in her apron pocket.
+
+"She surely looks as if something were wrong," thought Miss Rose, as
+Clematis disappeared.
+
+Clematis looked very unhappy when she went to Mrs. Snow's room.
+
+"Come in, little girl," said Mrs. Snow, kindly. "There are some
+things I want to ask you about."
+
+"Yes'm," replied Clematis, her lips quivering.
+
+"First, I want to know what all this talk is about. Some of the
+girls were saying that you took something which did not belong to
+you. Can that be true?"
+
+Clematis hung her head. The tears came into her eyes.
+
+"Don't cry, Clematis," said Miss Rose. "Just tell Mrs. Snow what it
+is, and perhaps we can make it all right again."
+
+"What was it, little girl?" asked Mrs. Snow, as she drew her
+nearer.
+
+"It was mine, I found it first," sobbed Clematis.
+
+"Yes, but you must remember that if we find a thing, that does not
+make it ours. We must find the true owner, and give it back. That is
+the only honest thing to do."
+
+"What was it you found?" asked Miss Rose.
+
+"I don't kn-ow."
+
+"Where did you find it?"
+
+"Do-wn by the fe-ence."
+
+"Where is it now, Clematis?" Mrs. Snow spoke kindly, as she wiped
+the child's face with her handkerchief.
+
+"It's in my pocket," answered Clematis.
+
+She drew out her closed hand, held it before the two ladies, and
+slowly opened it.
+
+Within lay a limp, withered dandelion blossom.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+A VISITOR
+
+
+Mrs. Snow still tells the story of how Clematis stole the first
+dandelion of the springtime, out under the leaves.
+
+People laugh when they hear the story. You see, it all came about
+because the children told tales on each other, and it was a good
+joke on them.
+
+But as Clematis stood there, before Mrs. Snow and Miss Rose, she
+didn't see the joke at all. She cried, and hid her face in her
+arms.
+
+"Come here, dear," said Mrs. Snow. "It is all right, and you shall
+have every dandelion you find in the yard."
+
+"Wasn't it stealing?" sobbed Clematis.
+
+"No, it was all right, if you found it first."
+
+"And can I have all I find first?"
+
+"Yes, indeed you can."
+
+Clematis lifted her head, and wiped the tears from her eyes.
+
+"Oh," she said, and seemed happy once more. She smoothed the limp
+little flower in her hot hand.
+
+"And now," said Mrs. Snow, "I wonder if you can tell us some more
+about yourself."
+
+"Yes'm, I'll tell you all you ask, and I won't tell any lies."
+
+"I'm sure you won't. Perhaps you can remember, now, where you lived
+before you came here."
+
+Clematis shook her head. "I told Miss Rose every single thing," she
+said, "except--"
+
+"Except what?"
+
+"Except that I ran away."
+
+Clematis hung her head again.
+
+"Why did you run away?"
+
+"Well, wouldn't you run away, if you had to stay in a yard all day
+that was nothing but bricks?"
+
+Mrs. Snow smiled. "Perhaps I would," she replied.
+
+"Didn't you ever go out at all?" asked Miss Rose, who had been
+listening.
+
+"Just sometimes, to go over to the store. Just across the street and
+back, and that was all bricks, too."
+
+[Illustration: Clematis held out her hand]
+
+"Do you think you could find your way home again, if Miss Rose went
+with you?"
+
+Clematis shook her head. "Oh, no. It was a long, long way. I was
+most dead from walking."
+
+Mrs. Snow thought a moment. Then she said, "Miss Rose tells me that
+you have not learned to read. Is that true?"
+
+"Yes'm, I never learned to do anything except count the change I
+got. But I can learn to read, and do numbers, too."
+
+Clematis spoke without sobbing now. She was thinking of the country,
+where girls went who did well.
+
+"Do you think you could take her in a class by herself for a short
+time?" Mrs. Snow asked, turning to Miss Rose.
+
+Miss Rose was about to answer, when one of the older girls came to
+the door.
+
+"What is it, Ruth?"
+
+"Please, Mrs. Snow, a man wants to see you."
+
+"What is his name?"
+
+"His name is Smith. He wants to see you about a little girl."
+
+As she said this, Miss Rose looked up quickly.
+
+Clematis also looked up. Her face turned red, and she put a finger
+in her mouth.
+
+"Tell him to come in here."
+
+In another minute a small, thin man walked in.
+
+He was poorly dressed, and looked as if he had been ill.
+
+"Did you wish to see me about one of the children?" asked Mrs.
+Snow.
+
+"Yes, marm, about this little girl right here."
+
+The man turned and smiled at Clematis, who was standing close by
+Miss Rose.
+
+"Hello, Clematis, I thought I should find you somewhere."
+
+Clematis smiled too, but she did not speak.
+
+"Oh," said Mrs. Snow, "are you the one who took care of this little
+girl?"
+
+"Yes, marm. I've had her ever since she was a little baby."
+
+Mrs. Snow thought a minute.
+
+"I suppose you want to take her home with you."
+
+"I don't know about that. I have no home to keep a child in, and do
+right by her. You see, my wife is sick most of the time."
+
+"Don't you know any of her folks who could care for her?"
+
+"No, marm. Her mother came to our house when Clematis was a tiny
+baby. She said the father was dead. Then she died too, and we could
+never find out who she was."
+
+"Do you know her last name?" asked Miss Rose.
+
+"No, miss. We never knew her last name. She said it was Jones, but
+we never believed that was the truth. This little girl we just
+called Clematis."
+
+"Didn't she have anything to help you find out who she was?" asked
+Mrs. Snow in surprise.
+
+"Not a single thing, except this picture."
+
+The man took out a small photograph.
+
+It showed three girls standing together in front of a brick
+building.
+
+"That is her mother on the left, marm, but I don't see how the
+picture helps very much."
+
+"That is true. Still, the picture is better than nothing."
+
+"That is just what we thought, marm," Mr. Smith replied. "We kept
+her along, hoping we should find some one to claim her, but no one
+came. She is too big for us to care for now."
+
+"Then you are ready to give her up?"
+
+"Yes, marm, if you will care for her. She is very restless, and
+always wanting to run off."
+
+Mrs. Snow turned to Clematis.
+
+"Do you think you would rather stay here, than go back with Mr.
+Smith?"
+
+"Yes'm," said Clematis, quickly. She had been thinking of the visits
+to the country. If she went back to the yard, all made of bricks,
+how would she ever see the grass and flowers?
+
+"Very well, Mr. Smith. I think you have done a good deal to keep her
+as long as you have. She was well fed, even if she didn't learn
+much."
+
+"Thank you, marm."
+
+Then Miss Rose took Clematis out of the office, while Mrs. Snow
+talked with Mr. Smith.
+
+All the afternoon Clematis wondered what they were going to do with
+her.
+
+After supper Miss Rose called to her, as the children were going to
+the playroom.
+
+"Clematis," she said, "do you think that if you stayed here you
+could work real hard, and learn to do as the other children do?"
+
+"Yes'm."
+
+"Very well. Mrs. Snow finds that we can keep you here. I will try to
+teach you myself, so you can catch up with the other children."
+
+"Yes'm," said Clematis.
+
+That is all she said, but she was so glad, that she could not sleep
+for a long time after she went to bed.
+
+She lay awake thinking, and thinking, of the things she would learn
+to do, so she might go at last to the country, the land of flowers,
+and grass, and birds; the land where white clouds floated always in
+a blue, blue sky.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THE SECRET
+
+
+The next morning Clematis did better in helping Jane with the beds,
+and before many mornings had passed she learned so well that Miss
+Rose praised her for her work.
+
+When she wanted to stop trying, and wanted to get up without washing
+her face and hands, and cleaning her teeth, she would look out the
+window at the hill beyond the river.
+
+It seemed to smile at her and say:
+
+"Don't forget the beautiful country, little girl. Remember the birds
+and the flowers. Do the best you can."
+
+But there were so many things to do that it seemed to poor Clematis
+as if she would never learn half of them.
+
+When she tried to help in setting the table, she dropped some
+plates.
+
+She said things that made the other girls cross, for she had never
+learned to play with other girls, and she forgot that she could no
+longer do just as she pleased.
+
+Worst of all, she did not always pay attention to study, and when
+Miss Rose left her to do some numbers, would be looking out of the
+window, instead of working on her paper.
+
+So the days went on, and spring was almost over.
+
+The dandelions had all blossomed and grown up tall, with white caps
+on their heads, and there were no other flowers in the yard.
+
+One day Clematis found something which made her almost as happy as
+if she had found some flowers.
+
+At first she thought she would keep it a secret, and tell no one
+about it. Then she thought how good Jane had been to her, so she
+went up to her when she was standing alone.
+
+"Say, Jane, if I tell you a secret will you promise not to tell
+anybody else?"
+
+"Sure, I'll promise," said Jane. "What is it?"
+
+Clematis looked around. The other children were playing games.
+
+"Come over here," she said.
+
+She led Jane to the big board fence which stood at the back of the
+yard.
+
+Then she got down on her knees and took hold of one of the boards.
+It was loose, and she could pull it out.
+
+"See, look through there," said Clematis, in a low voice.
+
+Her face shone with pleasure as she peeped through.
+
+Jane knelt down, and peeped through too. Beyond the fence she could
+see into another yard.
+
+In this yard there was grass growing, and flower-beds, where the
+flowers were beginning to grow up in green shoots.
+
+But this was not all. Not far from the fence, by a corner of the
+garden, stood a low bush. She could smell its sweet fragrance from
+where she knelt.
+
+"Do you see it?" whispered Clematis.
+
+"Of course I see it. I can smell it too. It's great."
+
+Jane took in a long breath of the fragrance, and smiled at
+Clematis.
+
+"Oh, I wish I had some of those blossoms." Clematis looked eagerly
+at the blossoms. "Do you know what they are, Jane?"
+
+"Oh, yes; those are lilacs."
+
+The two girls had just time to take one more deep breath, full of
+the fragrance from the lilac blossoms, before the bell rang.
+
+Jane kept her promise, and while the lilacs lasted, they used to go
+often to their secret place and smell the fragrance of the
+blossoms.
+
+The first of July, some of the girls began to start for their
+vacations in the country.
+
+Now it was harder than ever for Clematis to stick to her work. She
+kept thinking of the beautiful fields, when she should have been
+thinking of numbers.
+
+"I don't know what we are going to do with you, Clematis," said Miss
+Rose one day.
+
+"You do try hard sometimes. You have learned to make beds well. You
+are a good girl about your clothes, morning and night. But you are
+dreaming of other things, I fear. What is it you dream about so
+much?"
+
+Clematis thought a moment.
+
+"Do you think I will have a chance to go to the country?"
+
+She looked up at Miss Rose. Her face was white and anxious.
+
+"Why Clematis. I don't know. You wouldn't be very much help I am
+afraid. You quarrel with the other children, and you are very slow
+to learn."
+
+"Yes'm," said Clematis, and hung her head.
+
+"Still," said Miss Rose, "you might have a chance later. If you try
+hard I will not forget you."
+
+Clematis tried to feel happier then, but there were so many things
+to learn, and so few days to learn them in, that she hardly dared to
+hope very much.
+
+She found it very hard to learn to play happily with the other
+children, and liked it much better just to get Deborah all by
+herself and play with her.
+
+July went by, and the children began to come back again. They told
+stories of the wonderful things they had seen, and now Clematis was
+only too glad to sit near them and listen.
+
+[Illustration: Clematis is better]
+
+"Oh," said Sally, who had been to Maine, "Mr. Lane had a field
+almost as big as a whole city, full of long grass and daisies."
+
+"Would he let you pick the daisies?" asked Clematis.
+
+"Of course he would; all you wanted."
+
+"Where is Maine?" asked Clematis, eagerly.
+
+"Hear her talk," said another girl, named Betty, with a sniff. "She
+needn't worry, she'll never get a chance to pick any."
+
+Betty was not very kind, and did not like Clematis. She often made
+fun of the younger children.
+
+Clematis turned red. Her eyes flashed, and she was about to answer,
+when the supper bell rang.
+
+They had just sat down at the table, when Betty said to a girl near
+by:
+
+"You ought to hear Clematis. She thinks she is going to the country.
+Just as if anybody would have her around."
+
+Betty sat next to Clematis, who heard every word.
+
+She had tried to be a good girl and learn, just as Miss Rose asked
+her to.
+
+Her face burned, and her eyes flashed more than ever.
+
+Before she stopped to think, she turned and waved her spoon before
+Betty's face, saying:
+
+"You can't stop me. You'd better keep quiet, you old pig!"
+
+Betty was so startled that she moved back. Her arm struck her bowl
+of milk, and the milk spilled out, all over the table.
+
+Part of it spilled down into her lap.
+
+Then Clematis began to cry. When Miss Rose sent her away from the
+table, and up to her bed, she went willingly.
+
+She was glad to get away from the other children.
+
+Miss Rose saw how sad she was, and knew how naughty Betty had been,
+so she did not punish her.
+
+"I am very sorry you have not learned to behave more politely,
+Clematis. Perhaps this will be a lesson to you."
+
+That was all she said before Clematis went to bed, but Clematis
+cried quietly a long, long time.
+
+She felt that she had made every one look at her, right in front of
+Mrs. Snow. What would Mrs. Snow think of her now?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+TWO DOCTORS
+
+
+It was very late before Clematis fell asleep that night, and in the
+morning she had a headache.
+
+When she got up she had to sit on the bed, she felt so dizzy.
+
+Miss Rose found her sitting there.
+
+"Why, Clematis," she said. "Are you sick?"
+
+"Yes'm, I guess so," whispered the poor little girl.
+
+"Lie right down again, dear, and perhaps you will feel better."
+
+They brought her a cup of cocoa, and some toast, for breakfast, but
+she could not eat.
+
+All day she lay there, pale and sick.
+
+In the afternoon old Doctor Field came in to see her. He sat down by
+the bed and asked her some questions.
+
+He looked at her tongue, and felt her pulse. Then he took out some
+little pills and gave them to Miss Rose.
+
+"I guess you had better put her in a single room," he said. "Give
+her some of these in water, every two hours during the day."
+
+He smiled at Clematis before he went out. "I guess she will feel
+better in the morning, when I come again."
+
+But in the morning Clematis was not better. She was worse.
+
+"How did she pass the night?" asked Doctor Field, as he felt her
+pulse.
+
+"Not very well," said Miss Rose. "She did not sleep much, and had a
+good deal of pain."
+
+Doctor Field looked at her chest and arms.
+
+"It might be chicken pox, or measles," he said, "but I don't see any
+of the usual signs."
+
+Little Clematis lay and looked at him steadily.
+
+"Did you want something, dear?" he asked.
+
+"I want a drink," she said. "I want a drink of cold, cold water."
+
+"Yes, dear, you shall have a drink, of course you shall."
+
+The old doctor went into the hall with Miss Rose.
+
+"She may have a drink, but only a little at a time. And I wouldn't
+let it be too cold. She really gets enough water with her
+medicine."
+
+Soon they brought Clematis a little water in a cup. She raised her
+head and drank it, but then made a face and turned her head away.
+
+"It isn't any good," she said.
+
+That evening old Doctor Field came again. He looked carefully at
+Clematis, and shook his head.
+
+"I guess it's only a slow fever. It's nothing catching," he said.
+"She'll be better in a few days."
+
+The few days passed, but Clematis was not better.
+
+At night she was restless, and slept little. Even when she did
+sleep, her slumber was disturbed by bad dreams.
+
+She talked to herself during these dreams, though people couldn't
+understand what she said.
+
+Doctor Field came to see her every day or two, but he could not tell
+what her sickness was. He always said:
+
+"Just give her the medicine as directed, and she will be better
+soon."
+
+Miss Rose had asked Mrs. Snow if she might take care of her, for she
+had come to love little Clematis, and Clematis loved her in return.
+
+The school work did not take her time very much now, so Mrs. Snow
+was glad to let Miss Rose care for Clematis.
+
+If she stayed away very long, Clematis would call for her. She
+wanted her in the room.
+
+"Mrs. Snow," said Miss Rose, one day, after Clematis had been ill
+more than two weeks, "I am very anxious about Clematis."
+
+"Is she no better?"
+
+"No, I feel she is worse. She keeps asking for a cold drink of
+water, and says she is burning up. I wish I dared give her some, and
+keep her cooler."
+
+"Well, I think I should follow the doctor's directions. It wouldn't
+be wise to do anything that is not directed by him."
+
+"Don't you suppose we could have another doctor to look at her, Mrs.
+Snow?"
+
+"No, I fear not; not just now, anyway."
+
+Miss Rose went back to the little room upstairs with a sad heart.
+She knew Clematis was very ill.
+
+That night she prayed that something might be done for the little
+sick girl, and the next morning she felt as if her prayers had been
+answered, when Doctor Field came.
+
+"I shall have to be away for a short time, Miss Rose," he said,
+after he looked at Clematis, and felt her pulse.
+
+"A young man, Doctor Wyatt, will take my place, and I am sure he
+will do all that can be done."
+
+"Can he come today?" asked Miss Rose. "I wish he could see her
+soon."
+
+"I will ask him. I think he will be much interested in Clematis. I
+should like to see her well again myself, but I must be out of town
+a few weeks."
+
+"Oh, I hope he will come today, and I hope he will take an interest
+in my little girl," said Miss Rose to herself.
+
+"I know she can be cured, if we only know what is the matter."
+
+That afternoon Doctor Wyatt came. Miss Rose was glad when she saw
+him, for he was so kind, and so wise, that she knew he would do the
+best he could.
+
+The afternoon was hot, and Clematis was covered with hot blankets,
+as directed by Doctor Field.
+
+Dr. Wyatt took the blankets, and threw them off.
+
+"The poor child will roast under those," he said.
+
+Then he sat beside her, and watched her.
+
+"Is there anything you would like?" he said at last, in a pleasant
+voice.
+
+"Yes, I want a cold drink of water." Her voice sounded faint and
+feeble now.
+
+"What does she have to drink?" asked Doctor Wyatt.
+
+"We give her water now and then, as directed by Dr. Field. But we do
+not give her very much, and not very cold."
+
+"Have you any oranges in the house?"
+
+"I could get some."
+
+"Then take the white of an egg, and put with it the juice of a whole
+orange. Add half a glass of water, with pieces of ice.
+
+"Have good big pieces of ice," Doctor Wyatt called after her, as he
+saw that Clematis had fixed her eye on him.
+
+Clematis smiled when he said that, and turned toward him with a
+sigh.
+
+Soon Miss Rose came back with the glass. Dr. Wyatt held it to the
+lips of the little sick girl. She drank slowly.
+
+"Oh thanks," she whispered, when he took the glass away.
+
+"Give her some of that whenever she asks for it," he said.
+
+"Now tell me about the nights," the doctor went on.
+
+"She is restless, and sleeps very little. She has bad dreams when
+she does sleep, and talks to herself."
+
+"What does she talk about?"
+
+"I don't know. We can't make out."
+
+"Do you keep the room lighted at night?"
+
+"Oh, no, it is kept dark."
+
+"Well, tonight keep it lighted. People who have bad dreams are often
+frightened by the dark."
+
+"Shall I give her the medicine as directed?"
+
+"No, don't give her any more medicine at present. Give her all she
+wants of the orange and egg. I'll be back in the morning."
+
+And Dr. Wyatt was gone.
+
+"He's a good doctor," said Clematis, licking her dry lips. "I want a
+drink."
+
+Miss Rose smiled, and put the glass to her lips.
+
+[Illustration: Off for Tilton]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+A LONG, ANXIOUS NIGHT
+
+
+"Well," said Doctor Wyatt, the next morning, "how is Clematis
+today?"
+
+"She seems a little more comfortable," said Miss Rose.
+
+The doctor sat by her for half an hour. He felt her pulse, and
+looked her all over. Then he shook his head.
+
+That day he spent a long time studying his books.
+
+In the evening he came again, and sat by Clematis. He shook his
+head, sadly.
+
+"I must tell you, Miss Rose, that Clematis is a very sick little
+girl," he said, as they stood in the hall.
+
+"Can't you do anything for her?" The tears sprang to her eyes.
+
+"Perhaps I can. If she is no better tomorrow, I shall feel very
+anxious."
+
+Again that night the doctor spent a long time over his big books.
+Then he went and talked with doctors in the hospital.
+
+"I shall be here most of the time tonight," he said the next
+morning. "Keep her cool, and as comfortable as you can."
+
+Miss Rose went back to the bed with aching heart.
+
+"Oh, if we only knew what was the matter with you, Clematis," she
+thought, as she looked at the little white face.
+
+In the evening Doctor Wyatt came back once more.
+
+"Now, Miss Rose," he said, "you are very tired. You must go away for
+a walk, or a visit, or a rest. I will take care of her tonight."
+
+"Don't you think I had better stay, too?"
+
+"No, you must rest. Please have a cup of coffee sent to me about
+ten. I shall stay right here. You will be needed tomorrow."
+
+Doctor Wyatt sat down to watch by Clematis.
+
+It was a warm evening, so he gave her a drink, and fanned her, to
+cool her hot face.
+
+As it grew late, she fell into a light sleep. As she slept, she
+began to talk in low tones.
+
+The doctor bent his head down very near her lips, and listened
+carefully to everything she said.
+
+Hour after hour he watched and listened, until he, too, fell asleep,
+just as the sun was coming up.
+
+Miss Rose found him there in the morning, sleeping in his chair,
+close by the bed.
+
+"Miss Rose," he asked, as he started up, "did this little girl want
+anything very much indeed?"
+
+"Yes, she did. She wanted to go to the country, as the other
+children did, but it did not seem quite possible."
+
+"That's it! That's just it!" exclaimed Doctor Wyatt. "She spoke of
+flowers, of lilacs and daisies. I couldn't tell much what she said,
+but I could hear those words."
+
+At that moment, Clematis opened her eyes and stared about her.
+
+Doctor Wyatt took one thin, frail hand in his big brown ones.
+
+"Clematis," he said in a loud, firm tone, "I know a lovely place in
+the country. If you will get well, you can go there for two whole
+weeks."
+
+Clematis stared at him, but did not seem to hear him.
+
+"I want a drink," she said feebly.
+
+He put the glass to her lips.
+
+"You can pick daisies, and goldenrod, and all sorts of flowers in
+the country, if you'll just get well, can't she, Miss Rose?"
+
+"Yes, Clematis, you can." Miss Rose tried to speak cheerfully, but
+it was hard. She wanted to cry.
+
+Clematis stared at her also for a minute, and then turned away.
+
+"I'll go get some sleep now. Keep her cool and comfortable, till I
+come back again this evening."
+
+The day passed slowly. Mrs. Snow came in two or three times to look
+at Clematis, and feel her pulse.
+
+Some of the other teachers came to peep in also. They went away
+softly, wiping their eyes.
+
+"She is a queer little girl," said one, "but I do love her."
+
+That is what they all felt.
+
+At evening Doctor Wyatt returned. He looked anxious, as he took his
+seat beside the bed.
+
+"I shall stay till about ten, Miss Rose, so you must rest now."
+
+"I don't want to go," said Miss Rose.
+
+"You must, you will be needed later. She will need great care
+tonight, I think."
+
+At ten, Miss Rose returned. She had not rested much, and was glad to
+get back to the bedside.
+
+"Here is my telephone number, Miss Rose. You can get me very soon by
+calling me up. Watch her carefully, and if you see any change at
+all, send for me at once."
+
+"Do you think there may be a change tonight?" Miss Rose looked
+straight into his face to see just what he meant.
+
+"Yes, Miss Rose, there may be, and I hope it will be for the
+better."
+
+"You hope?" Miss Rose held her breath a minute.
+
+"Yes, let us hope. Hope does more than all the medicine in the
+world."
+
+The minutes crept along into hours, and midnight passed, while Miss
+Rose watched.
+
+Clematis seemed restless, but she did not talk to herself any more.
+
+Miss Rose held the glass to her lips now and then, but she did not
+drink.
+
+When Miss Rose wiped her face with a cold, wet cloth, she smiled a
+faint little smile, as if she liked it. Then the look of pain would
+come again, as she turned restlessly.
+
+The clock outside struck one. How slowly the minutes went.
+
+At last it struck two, and a breeze stirred the leaves outside.
+
+They were the leaves of the maple Clematis had broken in the early
+Spring. Now they seemed to whisper softly to each other.
+
+All else was silent.
+
+Miss Rose had watched a long time. Many days she had been by the
+bed. Her eyes began to droop.
+
+"I'll rest my head just a minute," she thought, and leaned back upon
+the chair.
+
+Slowly the clock struck three. As the last stroke came, Miss Rose
+stirred, and opened her eyes.
+
+Then she started up.
+
+"I must have been asleep," she said aloud. "Oh, shame on me for
+sleeping, when I promised to watch."
+
+She looked down at the bed.
+
+Clematis lay there, peaceful and quiet. Her little hand was white
+and still as marble. Her face seemed very happy. All pain was gone,
+and a smile lay upon the pale lips.
+
+"Oh, little Clematis. To think I should have been asleep!"
+
+Miss Rose took out her handkerchief, and bent her head down on the
+bed, weeping.
+
+A slight sound seemed to come from the pillow. Miss Rose looked up.
+
+The child's eyes were open wide. She was looking at her in wonder.
+
+"He said I could go, didn't he?" said Clematis in a faint voice.
+
+Miss Rose choked down her sobs.
+
+"Yes, yes, Clematis, he did, he did."
+
+"Well, then, what are you crying about?"
+
+Clematis closed her eyes again and lay, still as before, with a
+little smile on her lips.
+
+Miss Rose was so astonished that she sat staring at her for some
+minutes, until she heard a step in the hall.
+
+It was Doctor Wyatt.
+
+He came in softly and looked at the little figure on the bed.
+
+He felt her pulse, and listened to her heart. Then he smiled, and
+led Miss Rose from the room.
+
+"She is all right now," he whispered. "Let her sleep as long as she
+can."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+GETTING WELL
+
+
+Clematis slept all night, and all the next day. It was evening when
+she woke.
+
+Miss Rose was beside the bed, and heard her as she moved.
+
+"Do you feel better now, dear little girl?" asked Miss Rose.
+
+Clematis looked at her a moment with eyes wide open.
+
+"He said I could go, didn't he?" she asked.
+
+"Yes, surely he did, and you can go; you shall go just as soon as
+you are well."
+
+Clematis smiled a happy smile.
+
+"I want a drink of that orange juice."
+
+Miss Rose brought a glass with ice in it, and held it, while
+Clematis sipped it slowly. Then she washed her face and hands in
+cold water.
+
+"Thanks," the little girl whispered, as she turned on the pillow,
+and went off to sleep again.
+
+There was great joy all through the Home, for every one knew that
+Clematis was getting well.
+
+Doctor Wyatt came every day to look at his little sick girl, and
+laugh, and pat her cheeks.
+
+"You just wait till you see the apple pies my aunt can make," he
+would say.
+
+Then Clematis would smile.
+
+"Tell me about the garden. Are there any lilacs?"
+
+"No lilac blossoms now, little sister, but asters, and hollyhocks,
+and goldenrod. You just wait till you see them."
+
+Then the doctor would go out, with another laugh.
+
+Soon Clematis got so well that she could sit up in bed.
+
+Miss Rose would sit by the window, sewing, and sometimes she would
+read a story.
+
+One afternoon she saw that Clematis was anxious about something. She
+had a little wrinkle in her forehead.
+
+"What is it you are thinking about? Is there something you want?"
+
+[Illustration: In the country at last]
+
+Miss Rose went and stood by the bed, smoothing her forehead with her
+soft hand.
+
+"I was thinking," said Clematis. "I was thinking that--that perhaps
+I could have Deborah come to see me, just for a minute."
+
+"Well, you wait a minute, and I'll see."
+
+Miss Rose went out, and Clematis waited to hear her steps again. She
+had not seen Deborah for a long time.
+
+Soon she heard Miss Rose coming back. She shut her eyes till the
+footsteps came up to the bed, and before she opened them, there was
+a little pounce beside her.
+
+Her dear Deborah was rubbing a cold nose against her cheek, and
+purring how glad she was to see her.
+
+Clematis smoothed and patted her a long time, as she lay purring
+close by her side.
+
+After that, Deborah came up often, and lay there on the bed, while
+Miss Rose sewed by the window.
+
+"What are you sewing?" asked Clematis one day, when she was well
+enough to sit up.
+
+"What do you suppose?"
+
+"It looks like a dress."
+
+"That's just what it is. It's a new dress for a little girl to wear
+to the country."
+
+"Oh, who is going to have it? Let me see it. Please hold it up."
+
+Miss Rose held the dress before her. It was nearly done.
+
+The skirt was of serge, navy blue, with two pockets. With it went a
+middy blouse, with white lacings at the neck, and white stars on the
+sleeves.
+
+"Oh, please tell me. Who is going to have it?" The child's eyes
+danced as she saw the pretty dress.
+
+"I'll give you just one guess," said Miss Rose, smiling.
+
+Clematis gasped. Could it be for her? She had never dreamed of
+owning a dress like that.
+
+The little girl sat there a moment, without speaking. Then she
+pointed one finger at herself.
+
+"Right, the very first time," said Miss Rose. "This blouse is to
+travel in. There is another."
+
+She reached down and lifted another blouse. This was white, with
+blue collar and cuffs, and a blue star on the sleeve.
+
+All this was too much for Clematis. The tears stood in her eyes, and
+she breathed fast. But she did not say very much to speak her
+gratitude.
+
+"Oh, thanks," was all she said. Miss Rose saw in her face how much
+it all meant to her.
+
+"I am proud of this little patient," said Doctor Wyatt, the next
+day. "If she keeps on at this rate, we can send her up to Tilton
+next week."
+
+[Illustration: "What are you sewing?"]
+
+How her eyes shone! How her heart jumped! The very next week she
+would be starting for the land of her dreams.
+
+She could see great fields of grass, with daisies and clover.
+Already she could see them stretching out before her.
+
+How she got through the days before she was to start, she never
+knew. She was well enough now to sleep in the dormitory once more;
+to eat with the other children, and do some of the work.
+
+"Now dear," said Miss Rose, the day before she was to start, "I must
+leave you. I am going away, too, for a vacation, so I must say
+goodby today."
+
+Clematis looked up in surprise. She never thought that grown people
+wanted to go away. She did not notice how pale and tired Miss Rose
+was. It had been hard work for her.
+
+"You will try to help all you can, won't you, dear? Think every
+minute of what you can do to help. Then people will love you, even
+if you make mistakes."
+
+"Yes'm, I will promise."
+
+"You can wear the blue blouse, and you can put the white one in the
+box I gave you, if you are afraid of crushing it in the little
+bag."
+
+"Oh, yes'm, I don't want to put it in the bag."
+
+"Well, then, goodby, and have a good time. Jerry will see that you
+get on the right train."
+
+Jerry was the old cab man, who had a stand near the school, and
+carried people to the station.
+
+This was a new delight for Clematis. What fun to ride to the station
+with Jerry, in a cab!
+
+All day the joyful thoughts of her trip filled her mind. She could
+think of nothing else. The other children laughed at her, but she
+never minded them at all.
+
+She was going to the country, to the birds, and flowers, and fields,
+and that was all she cared.
+
+But as she was going to bed, one thought seemed to disturb her. She
+lay there thinking, with the little anxious line across her
+forehead.
+
+A long time she thought. Then she spoke half aloud.
+
+"That's just what I'll do," she said. "I've got to, anyway. I don't
+care if the blouse is crushed a little."
+
+Then she went to sleep.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+OFF FOR TILTON
+
+
+The day that she had longed for came at last. The sun was bright,
+the breeze was cool, and Clematis was as happy as the sparrows that
+hopped about in the maple tree.
+
+All the morning she ran here and there, getting her things ready.
+
+She had a small, black bag, and the box Miss Rose left for her extra
+blouse. Her things were put into these.
+
+Mrs. Snow had an early lunch for Clematis, because she was going on
+the one o'clock train.
+
+"I would rather eat it down in the kitchen with Katie," she said,
+when they started to put a bowl on the big table.
+
+Katie was willing, so Clematis had some bread and soup on the corner
+of the kitchen table.
+
+[Illustration: With Katie in the kitchen]
+
+"It will be nearer the street, so I will bring my things down here,"
+she said.
+
+She seemed very nervous, but Katie thought it was because of her
+trip.
+
+"Don't worry, Miss Clematis," she said. "Jerry will soon be here."
+
+"I know it." Clematis looked around. Then she slipped out of her
+chair and went up to Katie.
+
+She whispered a minute in her friendly ear.
+
+"Oh, now dearie, I wouldn't be doing that."
+
+Katie put her hand on the little girl's cheek, and shook her head.
+"I don't think they would like it."
+
+But Clematis was very serious. The tears came into her eyes as she
+whispered again.
+
+"Oh, please, please! I don't know what might happen."
+
+"Well, then," answered Katie, "what I don't see, I don't know about.
+I'm going upstairs a minute. Be quick now."
+
+She went upstairs, and Clematis hurried into the small room near the
+kitchen, with her box.
+
+In a minute she came out again, looking all about.
+
+When Katie came down, she was drinking her soup. She could not
+swallow the bread.
+
+"Dear child," said Katie, as the bell rang. "I hope the worry
+doesn't make her sick again."
+
+Jerry was ready with the cab.
+
+"All aboard, mum, I'll take your things."
+
+He started to take the box, which she hugged up under one arm.
+
+"Oh, no thank you," she cried, and held on to it tighter than ever.
+
+Katie gave him the black bag she had in her hand, and the next
+minute Clematis was safe inside, and throwing a kiss to the friendly
+cook.
+
+Before he got to the station, old Jerry stopped, and went into a
+store. He came out with a big paper bag.
+
+"Katie told me to get this for you, miss," he said, as he passed the
+bag to her through the open window.
+
+She peeped inside. There was a smaller bag, and several big
+peaches.
+
+In the smaller bag were sandwiches, and cream cakes.
+
+What a treat! Clematis often longed for peaches, but had not tasted
+them very often.
+
+In the station Jerry got down, and led her to the train.
+
+"Here is a passenger for Tilton, New Hampshire," he said to the
+conductor.
+
+"All right, Jerry, I'll look after her."
+
+The big conductor smiled at the little passenger.
+
+"Come on, sister," he said, as he stooped to take her box.
+
+"Oh, no, thank you," said Clematis, hugging it closer than ever.
+
+"She must have her money in that," laughed Jerry.
+
+So the conductor took the two bags, while Clematis carried the box.
+He found her a seat where she could be right by the window.
+
+Soon the train started. They went across bridges, and through the
+yards, till at last they came to the open country.
+
+There Clematis could see the fields, and the flowers, which grew
+close by the tracks.
+
+As the train flew on, they came to quiet woods, with little brooks,
+and cows resting comfortably in the shade.
+
+There was so much to see, that Clematis could not take her face from
+the window a minute.
+
+Farmers were at work in the fields of wheat, and corn, and oats.
+They were mowing and raking. Some were throwing hay into the big
+carts.
+
+At last they came to a big river that ran along by the track.
+Clematis could see people fishing along the banks, and rowing on the
+smooth water.
+
+"I hope there is a river in Tilton," she thought.
+
+It was a long time before she thought of the peaches, and
+sandwiches. When she did, she knew she was very hungry, so she
+opened the bag, and ate, while she watched the river, and fields,
+and forests.
+
+One sandwich she broke in halves. She raised the cover of the box a
+little, and put one half inside. Then she shut the cover and tied
+the string.
+
+"Tilton is the next station," said the conductor, at last.
+
+They went along beside a small river, across a bridge, and the train
+stopped at Tilton.
+
+"I guess that little girl is for me," said a tall man with a
+pleasant face, as Clematis came down the steps.
+
+"Her tag says Mrs. Alder on it, is that the one?" asked the
+conductor.
+
+"That's right. I told Mrs. Alder I would bring her along when I came
+from the train."
+
+"Well, here's her bag. She won't let any one touch her box. She
+keeps her money in it. Goodby, little girl."
+
+"Too--too--too-too."
+
+The whistle blew, the wheels began to turn, and the long train drew
+slowly away.
+
+"Right over here, little girl. Climb right up on the seat. I'll hold
+your box."
+
+"Oh, no thank you," said Clematis. "I'll keep it."
+
+Then she looked up at the seat. How was she to climb up there and
+hold her box?
+
+Suddenly she was lifted off the ground, and found herself safe on
+the high seat.
+
+"That's the way we'll fix it," said the man, with a smile. "Up you
+go, money, box, and all."
+
+"Now I want to go up the street about a mile or so, before I take
+you to Mrs. Alder. I don't suppose you mind, do you?"
+
+Clematis shook her head. She was happy at the thought of another
+ride.
+
+So they drove up a long hill. As they reached the top, the man
+stopped his horse, and looked about.
+
+"It's pretty, isn't it?" he said.
+
+Clematis nodded, and looked all about her.
+
+The hill sloped down again into a little valley, where the brook ran
+between green meadows.
+
+Beyond that, the pastures ran up to meet the forest on another
+hill.
+
+Looking past this hill, she could see the blue waters of a lake,
+sparkling in the evening sun.
+
+From the lake the ground rose once more. Up and up it went, with
+pastures and forests, until it came to the rocky crowns of three
+mountains.
+
+The mountains were a deep, misty blue. Above them rose the white
+August clouds, rolling on and on, into the highest heaven.
+
+Clematis drew a long breath.
+
+"It is lovely," she whispered.
+
+Not far from where they stopped was a white house, with the blinds
+closed. Vines ran about the front, and all seemed lonely.
+
+"Who lives there?" she asked, finding her tongue at last.
+
+"No one lives there now. A nice old man used to live there, but he
+had a good deal of sadness. He shut up the house, and went to live
+in a little place over near Bean Hill."
+
+He pointed over to another hill which rose in the east.
+
+Clematis would have liked to know more about the man who could leave
+such a lovely place, but the horse started on again.
+
+Soon they turned into another road, and before long were turning
+back toward the village.
+
+All the way along, Clematis could see the blue mountains in the
+distance. She could not take her eyes from them.
+
+"Well, there is your house," said the man, at last, pointing to a
+neat, white house.
+
+Clematis looked all about. Yes, there were gardens, and flowers, and
+fields, and trees.
+
+There was a cow down by a little brook.
+
+Everything she had hoped to find was there. There was a tall maple
+beside the house.
+
+"Well, this is Clematis, I guess," said a lady, coming down the
+path.
+
+"Thank you very much, Mr. Ladd. I see she came right side up."
+
+She took the bag Mr. Ladd handed down, and reached for the box that
+Clematis still hugged in her lap.
+
+Clematis started to explain, but Mrs. Alder did not wait. She was
+nervous and quick.
+
+She pulled the box out of her hands.
+
+"Why Clematis, what is in this box?" Mrs. Alder looked at it in
+surprise.
+
+Clematis did not answer. She gasped, and turned red as a rooster's
+comb.
+
+"It's her money, Mrs. Alder," said Mr. Ladd, laughing. "She has it
+tied up for safe keeping. The conductor told me so."
+
+Mrs. Alder lifted one corner of the box to peep in.
+
+There was a scratching sound, and then out popped a little white,
+furry head, with sharp ears, and one black eye.
+
+It was Deborah.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+THE COUNTRY
+
+
+When Mr. Ladd saw the little white head peep out, he put his head
+back and laughed.
+
+"I pity the rats in your barn now, Mrs. Alder," he shouted.
+
+Mrs. Alder frowned at first, but when she looked at Clematis, and
+saw her anxious face, she smiled.
+
+"What on earth made you bring that cat way up here?" she asked.
+
+"She's my own cat. I was afraid to leave her at the Home all alone.
+Would you like to leave your cat alone, where people might throw it
+away while you were gone?"
+
+Just then a tall man with a gray beard walked up.
+
+"Never mind, Mary," he said. "We have plenty of milk in the dairy,
+and plenty of rats in the barn."
+
+By this time Clematis had Deborah safe in her arms, and Mr. Alder
+led the way to the house, while Mr. Ladd drove off, laughing as he
+went.
+
+"Well, you can take the cat down to the barn. I won't have it in the
+house," said Mrs. Alder.
+
+"All right, we'll find a place for her," said Mr. Alder. He took
+Clematis by the hand, and they went down to the barn.
+
+A gray horse poked his head from a box stall to look at the little
+visitor, and a little red hen called her chickens, and hastened
+away, clucking, as if she were very angry.
+
+Clematis turned to look at her.
+
+"Did you ever have any chickens?" asked Mr. Alder.
+
+"Oh, no, I never saw any." Clematis could not take her eyes from the
+little chicks, as they ran after their anxious mother.
+
+"We have lots of things to show you here. Let's put your cat up in
+the loft now."
+
+They went up a set of stairs, and there was a loft, full of sweet
+hay.
+
+[Illustration: Clematis stuck one hand out]
+
+"There now, Mrs. Tabby, you will find a good bed, and good hunting
+here."
+
+"Her name isn't Tabby, it's Deborah," said Clematis, as she put her
+down.
+
+"Oh, that's quite a name. It suits her very well." Mr. Alder led the
+way down again.
+
+At the other end of the barn, a red and white calf came up to meet
+them.
+
+It put out its wet nose to smell the little visitor, and made her
+start back.
+
+"He wants to say 'how do'. He loves little girls," said Mr. Alder.
+
+Clematis stuck one hand out timidly, and pulled it back again, when
+the calf tried to lick it with his rough tongue.
+
+"He wants just a little taste," laughed Mr. Alder. "Come on now.
+Here is something else."
+
+At the end of the barn, Clematis could hear strange noises. There,
+in the yard, were some smooth, white animals running about.
+
+When Clematis came near the fence, they ran and put their fore feet
+up, and stuck their noses out.
+
+"Uff, uff," they said. Then they squealed.
+
+"Oh, I know! Those are pigs!" cried Clematis, clapping her hands.
+
+Eight clean, white pigs were grunting and squealing for their
+supper.
+
+"Squeal away, piggies," said Mr. Alder. "Supper will be along
+soon."
+
+In a moment, he brought from the dairy a bright milk pail. Then they
+went down to the gate, and he called:
+
+"Come boss, come boss. Come Betty."
+
+A sleek, plump cow came over the hill, and hurried down to the gate.
+It was just the color of a mouse.
+
+"Dear old Betty. Steady now." Betty pushed through, and walked fast
+to the barn, where she began to whisper to her calf, and lap it with
+her great rough tongue.
+
+As Clematis came up, Betty put her head down, and shook her horns.
+
+"Behave, Betty. You ought to be ashamed," said Mr. Alder. "You see,
+she won't let any strangers near her calf."
+
+Then he took some grain and put it in Betty's box, while he tied her
+head, and sat down on the stool beside her.
+
+Clematis had never seen a cow milked before, and stood watching the
+white streams which filled the foaming pail, as if Mr. Alder were a
+fairy. It seemed like magic.
+
+When the pail was full, Mr. Alder poured some into a shiny can, and
+took the rest to the dairy.
+
+There he poured it into a red machine, with a big bowl. He turned
+the handle, and soon two streams came out.
+
+"What is that for?" Clematis thought this might be some new magic.
+Indeed it was magic, almost.
+
+"This is the separator," answered Mr. Alder. "I pour the milk in at
+the top, and turn the handle. Then the cream comes out of one spout,
+and the skimmed milk from the other."
+
+"Oh, I see," said Clematis, though it really was all like magic to
+her.
+
+"Now I guess we are through. Let's go up and see what they have for
+supper."
+
+Mr. Alder took the empty pail, and led her back to the house, where
+supper was ready and waiting.
+
+The smell of hot biscuit made Clematis feel very hungry, and she was
+glad that supper was all ready.
+
+With the biscuit, was golden butter, and apple sauce.
+
+"Do you like warm milk right from the cow?" asked Mrs. Alder.
+
+"Yes'm," replied Clematis, with a nod.
+
+So Mrs. Alder put a little pitcher, with a glass, not much bigger
+than a thimble, beside her plate.
+
+She could pour it out herself, as often as she emptied her glass.
+
+"Better leave room for some fresh blueberry pie, and a piece of
+cheese," said Mr. Alder.
+
+[Illustration: The little red hen]
+
+Blueberry pie and cheese, hot biscuit and fresh milk, and golden
+butter, all she wanted; surely, Sally never had any supper better
+than this.
+
+The shadows were falling, and the August crickets were beginning
+their evening concert, when Clematis had eaten the last bit of pie
+on her plate.
+
+"The Sand Man is coming, I do believe," said Mr. Alder, as he
+reached over to pinch her cheek.
+
+"Well, I don't wonder, the trip was a long one for a little girl.
+You shall go right to bed, Clematis."
+
+Mrs. Alder took a lamp as she spoke, and led the little visitor to
+the stairs.
+
+"Good night, sleep tight, don't let the skeeters bite."
+
+Mr. Alder called after her as she went up.
+
+Clematis laughed. Her eyes were drooping, and her feet were heavy,
+as she climbed the stairs.
+
+"There now, we'll have you tucked in before a cat can say Jack
+Sprat," said Mrs. Alder, as she unbuttoned her boots.
+
+"Haven't I got to fold my clothes?" asked Clematis, as Mrs. Alder
+began picking them up.
+
+"Never mind about them tonight. Here's a wet cloth. We'll just have
+a quick wash, and into bed you go."
+
+The bed was soft; the pillows were softer; and the song of the
+evening breeze in the maple, without her open window, was softer
+still.
+
+"I am in the country," sighed Clematis. "I can hear the trees, and I
+can smell the flowers now. Tomorrow I will--"
+
+I wish I could tell you what she was going to do. I can't, for just
+then, she fell fast asleep.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+CLEMATIS TRIES TO HELP
+
+
+The birds in the maple tree woke Clematis early the next morning.
+
+For a minute she did not know where she was. Then she hopped out of
+bed and ran to the window.
+
+The sun was up. The birds were singing all about. The smell of
+clover and sweet grass came to her open window.
+
+There, across the valley, lay the mountains she saw in the evening.
+
+Now they were not blue. She could see the rocks and the bushes, in
+the morning light. But they were just as lovely as before.
+
+"Oh," she thought, "some day I'll go and climb up those mountains."
+
+Then she washed carefully at the stand by the window, for she
+remembered what Miss Rose had said.
+
+When she was dressed, she started down stairs. Then she thought
+again.
+
+"I must help all I can. I guess I'll make the bed."
+
+So she drew the clothes neatly over the bed, and smoothed the
+pillow. Then she went down.
+
+"Good morning, Clematis," said Mrs. Alder. "I see you get up before
+breakfast. Did you have a good sleep?"
+
+"Yes'm," replied Clematis. "Would you like me to help you?"
+
+"No, you had better run out and see what Mr. Alder is doing. You can
+help me after breakfast."
+
+So Clematis ran out.
+
+How loud the birds sounded in the clear air. How they chirped and
+twittered. How sweet the smell of the flowers, and how bright the
+sun.
+
+"Oh, there's the little red hen!" she cried. "But she has lost her
+chickens. Every one is gone."
+
+There was the little hen, sitting on the ground, near the barn
+door.
+
+Just then Mr. Alder came out with a pail of milk.
+
+"Oh, Mr. Alder, where have all the chickens gone?" cried Clematis.
+
+He laughed. "Dear me," he said. "I don't see them anywhere, do
+you?"
+
+"No, but they were all here last night."
+
+"I wonder if the rats caught them." Mr. Alder looked very sad.
+
+"Oh, dear, if they did, I'll tell Deborah."
+
+Clematis looked as if she were ready to cry.
+
+"Don't cry. I'll get a fairy to bring them back. You turn around and
+shut your eyes."
+
+He turned her around. "Now, are your eyes shut?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Now you must say, 'Fairy, Fairy, bring back my chicks.'"
+
+"Fairy, Fairy, bring back my chicks," said Clematis, laughing.
+
+She heard the little red hen clucking behind her. Then she heard the
+chickens peeping.
+
+"Turn round," said Mr. Alder.
+
+She opened her eyes; she turned around; and there were the chicks,
+running about their mother.
+
+She was just going to cry out in surprise, when the hen lifted her
+wings, and two more ran out from beneath them.
+
+"Oh, I know. She had them under her feathers all the time."
+
+Clematis laughed and danced about, while the red hen clucked to her
+chicks and walked off very angry indeed.
+
+Mr. Alder laughed also, and picked up the pail.
+
+"Do you see that patch of raspberries down there, just beyond the
+hen house?" he asked.
+
+Clematis nodded.
+
+"I think there are some big, late raspberries down there. Would you
+like to pick a few? You'll find them good."
+
+"For me to eat?"
+
+"Yes, eat all you can find. They are good for little city girls."
+
+"Oh, thank you." Clematis started toward the patch of raspberries.
+
+Then she stopped.
+
+"I must see Deborah first," she said. "I wonder if she caught any
+rats."
+
+"To be sure, I forgot Deborah. Give her my love."
+
+Mr. Alder went to separate his milk, while Clematis found Deborah
+sound asleep on the hay, and ready to visit the raspberry patch.
+
+Soon the bell for breakfast rang, and Clematis ran to the house. Her
+lips and fingers were red with raspberries, for she had found big
+ones.
+
+By her plate was her tiny glass, and a pitcher of rich milk. There
+were corn flakes, and shredded wheat first, and then toast, and
+bacon, and big baked apples with cream.
+
+Clematis had never really expected to have such things to eat. The
+stories other little girls had told her, all had seemed like fairy
+tales.
+
+"Now you can help me a while, if you wish," said Mrs. Alder, after
+breakfast. "Can you wash dishes?"
+
+"Oh, yes'm, I can do that all right."
+
+Clematis looked after Mr. Alder with longing eyes. He was going to
+feed the pigs. She longed to go too, but she knew she must help all
+she could.
+
+So she started in on the plates and cups.
+
+The water was hot, and she found it hard work to hold the china.
+Just as she was lifting a cup, it slipped from her hand.
+
+"Snick."
+
+"Gracious, what was that?" asked Mrs. Alder. She thought a good deal
+of her china.
+
+The cup was taken out. A piece was broken from the edge.
+
+"Oh, dear me. I have had those cups for twenty years. I guess I'll
+finish the dishes."
+
+Clematis said nothing, but turned very red. She almost cried, she
+was so ashamed.
+
+"Well, don't worry too much about it," said Mrs. Alder. "You can
+help me with the beds. I'm sure you can make your bed without doing
+any harm."
+
+"Oh, yes'm, I've made it already."
+
+"Made it already? When?"
+
+"Why, when I got up, before breakfast."
+
+"Mercy! Go right up and pull the clothes back. It must always air
+for an hour."
+
+Poor Clematis went up and pulled the clothes back to air.
+
+"How can I help, if every single thing I do is wrong?" Clematis
+spoke crossly out the window at the robin on the edge of the roof.
+
+Then she felt a crumb in her pocket, and pushed up the screen to
+throw it out.
+
+Mr. Robin flew away, and Mrs. Alder came in at that moment.
+
+"Dear child, what on earth have you put up that screen for? Do you
+want to fill the house with flies?"
+
+"No'm, I didn't know--"
+
+"Oh, well, never mind. You don't know much, I guess. I promised to
+take you, and I'll keep my word, but it's no use trying to fit city
+children into real homes."
+
+Mrs. Alder shut the screen with a bang.
+
+"There now, you run along out doors. I guess you and Mr. Alder will
+get along all right, but don't touch anything."
+
+"Hello, it looks like rain. What's the trouble, sister?"
+
+Mr. Alder smiled and pinched her cheek, as he met Clematis at the
+back door.
+
+"I tried to help," said Clematis, drying her eyes.
+
+"Oh, I see. You didn't do things quite right, did you? Well, I
+wouldn't fret about that. I don't do things quite right, myself."
+
+Clematis smiled through her tears.
+
+"Come on now, and help me pick some late peas for dinner. You will
+like that, I am sure."
+
+He took her hand, and soon she was happy again.
+
+"There, you picked two quarts, and did it well, too. Now take these
+up to Mrs. Alder, and tell her you can shell them out, every one,
+without hurting a thing."
+
+"Oh," said Mrs. Alder, in the kitchen. "You think you can shell
+peas, do you? Well, take them out under the maple tree. Then I won't
+have the pods all around the kitchen."
+
+And Clematis proved that she could shell peas, after all.
+
+Mrs. Alder gave her a cookie for her pay, and said she had done very
+well.
+
+"I guess you'll get along all right, if you stay out doors," she
+said.
+
+"Thanks," said Clematis, eating the cookie as she went out. She was
+glad enough to stay out doors.
+
+[Illustration: Clematis watched the little fishes by the shore]
+
+"I'll help Mr. Alder all the time," she said to herself. "I'll feed
+the pigs, and the hens, and I guess he'll be glad I'm here."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+ONLY A FEW DAYS MORE
+
+
+Clematis did help Mr. Alder, and tried hard, in her way, to make
+herself useful.
+
+She helped Mrs. Alder too, for she went on errands to the village
+every time she was asked.
+
+Every day she went to the Post Office. She took home the letters and
+carried home bundles from the stores.
+
+Clematis loved this walk, because the road ran down by Knapp's saw
+mill, and by the river.
+
+Near the stocking mill, the river came right up to the road, and she
+could even see the little fish, in the clear water.
+
+Sometimes she stopped longer than she thought, and was late getting
+back, but Mrs. Alder did not scold her.
+
+"The less we expect of her, the less we shall be disappointed," she
+would say.
+
+On Sunday, they all went down to church to hear Mr. Sampson preach.
+
+He smiled at her in his kindly way, when she went out.
+
+"Let me see, I don't know your name, do I?" he asked, taking her
+hand.
+
+"It's Clematis."
+
+"Well, Clematis, I'm glad to see you. I hope you will come again."
+
+"That little girl looks just like another little girl I used to
+know," he said to Mr. Alder.
+
+"She is here for a week or two. Doctor Wyatt sent her up." Mr. Alder
+whispered to him a minute, before they went away.
+
+"How would you like to take a long walk this afternoon, Clematis?"
+said Mr. Alder, while she was eating her ice cream and cake.
+
+"Oh, yes, let's." Clematis was glad enough. She never liked Sundays
+very well.
+
+"Good, we can walk up Bean Hill, if you think you can go that far."
+
+[Illustration: She could see the little fish]
+
+"Oh, I can walk farther than that."
+
+So they started out, while Mrs. Alder lay down for a nap.
+
+They didn't go by the road, but crossed the river in a boat that Mr.
+Alder kept tied to the bank.
+
+Then they walked through the trees and meadows by the path.
+
+Clematis was full of joy. New birds sang here. New trees, and new
+flowers met her at each turn.
+
+After they had walked about a mile, they came to a little cabin, set
+among maple trees.
+
+"Who lives here?" asked Clematis. It looked like the cabins she had
+seen in her picture books.
+
+"No one lives here now. This is where they boil down their sap in
+the spring. They make maple syrup, and maple sugar."
+
+There were the big pans, turned upside down, and the pails that
+caught the sap.
+
+Her mouth watered as she thought of all the maple sugar they had
+made in that little cabin. She wanted to stay longer, but Mr. Alder
+started on.
+
+"We must get along, I want to see Mr. Brooks before we go home."
+
+"Who is Mr. Brooks?"
+
+"Mr. Brooks is a good man who lives over here on the side of Bean
+Hill. He lives all alone by himself."
+
+"Oh," replied Clematis, "is he the man who owns the white house with
+the vines, and has had so much sadness?"
+
+"Yes. How did you know about him?"
+
+"Mr. Ladd stopped near his house. He told me."
+
+The walk was a long one, and Clematis was glad when she saw the
+little cottage on the hillside.
+
+"Here we are. There is Mr. Brooks now, working over his flowers."
+Mr. Alder went over to the little garden, where a man with white
+hair was pulling out weeds.
+
+"Good day, Mr. Alder. Glad enough to see you. Come up and sit on the
+piazza."
+
+Mr. Brooks smiled, as he wiped his hands.
+
+"And here is a lady, too," he added. "I believe I have never met
+her."
+
+He held out his hand to Clematis with a kindly smile, and led them
+to the piazza.
+
+Mr. Alder told him who she was, while Clematis was looking at the
+neat little cottage.
+
+A vine was growing about the door, with little white flowers,
+peeping out from its green leaves.
+
+Mr. Brooks saw her looking at it.
+
+"Do you like the flowers?" he asked.
+
+"Yes,--it is just the same."
+
+"What do you mean? What is just the same?"
+
+"Why, just the same vine as the one on the white house."
+
+"She saw the old home place when she drove over with Mr. Ladd," said
+Mr. Alder. "She remembered the vine."
+
+"I am glad you like it. You ought to like it, Clematis, because it
+has your own name," added Mr. Alder.
+
+"Well, well, is her name Clematis?" Mr. Brooks took her on his knee
+and looked into her face.
+
+"I wish I had a little girl like you," he said.
+
+She sat there on his knee, while he talked with Mr. Alder.
+
+"I hope you will come again, Clematis. You will, if you get a
+chance, won't you?" Mr. Brooks said, as they started to go.
+
+He brought out a big, sweet pear, and put it into her hand.
+
+"You can eat that on the way home," he said.
+
+All the way home Clematis kept thinking of Mr. Brooks, and the vine,
+and how he had looked into her face while she sat on his knee.
+
+She had never known any father or mother, and people didn't have
+time to hold her that way at the Home.
+
+"Could we go again?" she asked, as they crossed the river.
+
+"Well, perhaps. We'll see."
+
+When they got home, Mrs. Alder was sitting on the back steps.
+
+Beside her, in the grass, lay three dead chickens.
+
+"How on earth did those chickens get killed?" asked Mr. Alder, as he
+took one in his hand.
+
+"Why on earth did that child ever bring her old cat up here? That's
+what I'd like to know." Mrs. Alder was cross.
+
+"Did Deborah do that? Dear me! We'll have to shut her up in the
+loft."
+
+"That's where she is, and that's where she'll stay," said Mrs.
+Alder. "Remember now, Clematis. Don't you let her get out again."
+
+"Yes'm," said Clematis.
+
+She didn't know what else to say, so she went sadly to the loft.
+There she found Deborah, sleeping sweetly, as if she had never done
+a thing wrong in the world.
+
+She sat down by the open window, and looked across the river valley,
+and across the lake, to the mountains.
+
+"Oh dear!" she sighed.
+
+She heard Mrs. Alder speaking.
+
+"I don't care, I think the Doctor was asking a good deal of us, to
+keep a strange child like that."
+
+"Well, Mary, never mind. It is only for a few days longer. I guess
+we can stand it. Think of the pleasure it gives Clematis."
+
+Mr. Alder spoke kindly, but as Clematis heard the words, she turned
+pale.
+
+"Only a few days more. Only a few days more." The words went through
+her mind again and again.
+
+She had never thought about going back. Two weeks seems a long, long
+time to little girls. Only a few days more before she must leave
+Tilton.
+
+Clematis put her elbows on the window sill, and rested her chin in
+her hands.
+
+The sun was setting behind the maple tree. The golden rays gleamed
+in the white mist that had risen from the river, for it was a cold
+evening.
+
+In the distance the Belmont mountains were a deep, misty blue, and
+the clouds above them all white and gold.
+
+Now all the valley was filling with a golden mist. The birds were
+singing in the trees along the banks of the river. They filled the
+evening air with joyous songs.
+
+"Only a few days more. Only a few days more."
+
+Soon she must go back to the brick walls, and the yard with the high
+fence around it.
+
+When Mr. Alder came to call Clematis for supper, her eyes were red,
+and her cheeks pale.
+
+"Never mind, dear little girl," he said. "We'll keep Deborah shut
+up. I guess we can spare the chickens. We have plenty more."
+
+She said nothing, but went silently in for the evening meal. She had
+forgotten all about the chickens. All through supper the words ran
+in her head, and the last thing in her mind as she fell asleep was
+this thought:
+
+"Only a few days more."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+WHERE IS CLEMATIS?
+
+
+On Monday Clematis found a big, blue envelope, with the other mail.
+
+"I guess you have a letter for your own self this time," said Mr.
+Morse, as he handed her the mail.
+
+Clematis did not stop to look at the little fishes by the shore. She
+hurried straight home.
+
+It was a letter for her own self. Miss Rose sent it to her.
+
+"Oh, I wish I had learned to read. Please read mine first, Mrs.
+Alder?"
+
+"Do you think that is polite?" asked Mrs. Alder.
+
+"No'm, but you get lots of letters."
+
+"That is true. Well, let us see."
+
+She opened the envelope, while Clematis got close to her side.
+
+  "Dear little Clematis:
+
+  I hope you are well, and having a good time. I am sure you
+  must be having a splendid time, for Tilton is a lovely place.
+  I wish I were with you.
+
+  What a naughty girl you were to take Deborah, when she was not
+  invited. I hope Mrs. Alder has forgiven you.
+
+  I am going to ask Mrs. Alder to send you home on the afternoon
+  train Saturday, so you will be all ready when school begins.
+
+  I shall be at the train to meet you. Don't forget Deborah.
+
+                                         Your true friend,
+                                              Rose Thornton."
+
+"That is a good letter for a little girl to get, I am sure. Now run
+out and play, while I read my letters."
+
+Clematis went out, rather slowly. The letter made her think again of
+the end of her stay, and she was sad.
+
+But the sun was bright, the breeze was cool, and the birds sang
+merrily.
+
+She saw Mr. Alder down in the garden, and ran to him.
+
+"Can I help you, Mr. Alder?"
+
+"I think not. I am weeding late carrots, and I think you would not
+know them from weeds."
+
+"I should know them, honestly. Just let me try a little bit."
+
+"Well, then, take this little trowel. Make the earth loose around
+them, and then pull the weeds out with your fingers."
+
+Clematis kneeled in the soft earth, and began to work with the
+trowel.
+
+She weeded the row across from Mr. Alder, where he could see what
+she was doing.
+
+"Well, I declare! You are a real gardener." Mr. Alder patted her
+shoulder, and praised her well when she had done several feet of her
+row.
+
+The little green tops of the carrots all stood straight and clean.
+Every weed was gone, but no carrots were hurt.
+
+"I told you I could do it. You did not believe me, did you?"
+
+Clematis smiled happily.
+
+"Well, I do now. I never saw any one do better."
+
+So the man and the little girl worked side by side beneath the
+August sun.
+
+The smell of the warm earth, and the fresh growing things all around
+her, made Clematis breathe deeply.
+
+She could hear the birds singing, and see the mountains, across the
+lakes.
+
+While she was hard at work, she almost forgot to be sad because she
+was going back on the Saturday train.
+
+"Just look at that child," said Mrs. Alder, when they went in to
+wash for dinner. "Has she been weeding in her good clothes?"
+
+"She has weeded two whole rows of carrots, I know that much. I'll
+get her some new clothes when those wear out. She is as much help at
+weeding as a man."
+
+Clematis was as proud of that, as Deborah was with her first rat. In
+the afternoon Mrs. Alder found her a pair of small overalls. These
+covered her dress and kept her clean.
+
+It was a happy child that came in at evening. She had worked
+steadily, in the hot sun and the breeze, and had finished all the
+carrots.
+
+"You don't know how much help that has been, Clematis," said Mr.
+Alder. "It tires my back to weed carrots, and now they are all
+done."
+
+"I will weed tomorrow, too," she said, happy with her praise.
+
+There was plenty to do, as there always is on a farm, and Clematis
+was busy all day.
+
+"I don't see how she learns so quickly," exclaimed Mr. Alder, when
+he was telling Mr. Ladd about her.
+
+"I suppose it is because she naturally loves it," he answered. "It
+seems too bad that she couldn't live here in the country, she seems
+to love it so."
+
+"Yes. I wish Mrs. Alder was better, and took to children more.
+Clematis is clumsy in the house, but out in the garden she is right
+at home."
+
+So the days went on, with sunshine and clouds, and Saturday came
+nearer and nearer.
+
+"Clematis, what have you been doing to the calendar in your room?"
+asked Mrs. Alder, at dinner on Friday.
+
+"I was just looking to see how many days till Saturday."
+
+"Well, you needn't muss it up that way."
+
+Every morning Clematis had taken it down and counted the days with
+her fingers.
+
+Friday evening she did not eat much supper, and was very silent.
+
+"Longing to get back home, I guess," said Mrs. Alder. "Well, dear,
+you will be back with the other children tomorrow. I know what it
+is. I was homesick myself when I was a child."
+
+Clematis did not answer. She didn't know how to tell what it was
+that troubled her, so she said nothing.
+
+The stars were bright, and the tiny moon was low in the sky, before
+the weary eyes closed in sleep.
+
+Clematis had been thinking, and thinking. Tomorrow was Saturday.
+
+Early in the morning she was awake again, by the window.
+
+She leaned her head on her hands, and began to think again.
+
+"That is what he said," she repeated, half aloud.
+
+"That is just what he said. If he didn't mean it, why did he say
+it?"
+
+At the breakfast table, Mrs. Alder noticed how pale her cheeks
+were.
+
+"Try to eat some toast, dear," said Mrs. Alder. "You will soon be
+home again. Only a few hours more now."
+
+Clematis raised her eyes, and gave Mrs. Alder a strange look.
+
+"That child does beat all," said Mrs. Alder, after breakfast. "She
+seems to be thinking a lot, but she keeps as quiet as a stone jug."
+
+"She is thinking; you may be sure of that," Mr. Alder replied.
+
+All the morning Clematis went about silently, except when she was in
+the loft with Deborah. Then she talked.
+
+"I shan't be afraid. I am a big girl, Debby, and I shan't be a mite
+afraid."
+
+Deborah could not speak, but she snuggled up close, and purred, so
+Clematis knew just what she meant.
+
+"Be sure to have all your things ready, Clematis," called Mrs.
+Alder.
+
+"We shall have an early dinner, for Mr. Ladd will be here about one
+o'clock to take you to the station."
+
+"Yes'm," said Clematis, and she went slowly to her room.
+
+Before long, all was ready, and dinner was on the table.
+
+"Now, let's eat a big dinner. I roasted a chicken especially for
+you."
+
+How good the roast chicken smelled! There were baked potatoes, and
+peas, and beans, too.
+
+Clematis was hungry now. She ate, and ate, and ate.
+
+"Good girl." Mr. Alder patted her on the head. "Travelers must be
+well fed."
+
+"Be sure to wash all the blueberry off your mouth," added Mrs.
+Alder, as Clematis got down.
+
+Clematis went to the sink and washed her face and hands. Then she
+went to the back door.
+
+"Don't forget Deborah's satin dress, and velvet hat?" called Mr.
+Alder.
+
+She turned and smiled back at him, as she went out.
+
+Soon Mr. Ladd drove up.
+
+"I came a bit early," he said. "I've got some milk for the Seminary.
+Is Clematis ready?"
+
+"Yes, all ready, I guess. She just went out to get her cat."
+
+Mrs. Alder went to the back door and called.
+
+She waited a minute, but Clematis did not come.
+
+She called again. No Clematis. "Please go and get her, Henry," she
+said to Mr. Alder. "Tell her to come right in."
+
+After a few minutes Mr. Alder came back. He looked puzzled.
+
+"Well, where is Clematis?" asked Mrs. Alder.
+
+"I don't know."
+
+"Don't know? Isn't she in the loft?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Well, perhaps she went to say goodby to the pigs."
+
+"She isn't there."
+
+"She must be around here somewhere. She has no wings; she can't
+fly."
+
+"I'm not so sure of that." Mr. Alder smiled in a puzzled way at Mr.
+Ladd.
+
+"That's just like you men."
+
+Mrs. Alder went to the door and called as loudly as she could. Then
+she went to the barn and called again.
+
+She looked all about. Mr. Alder looked all about. Mr. Ladd looked
+all about.
+
+They all called once more.
+
+It was of no use. Clematis was gone.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+HUNTING FOR CLEMATIS
+
+
+Mr. Alder looked at Mr. Ladd. Mr. Ladd looked at Mrs. Alder. They
+all looked at each other.
+
+What should they do?
+
+"Well," said Mrs. Alder at last, "you drive down street with Mr.
+Ladd and find out if any one has seen her. I will look all about the
+farm."
+
+The men had not gone far down the street when they met a boy.
+
+"Hi, Ned! have you seen our little girl?" called Mr. Alder.
+
+"Who, Clematis? Have you lost her?"
+
+"No, she has lost herself. Have you seen her?"
+
+"My gracious, no." His blue eyes opened almost as wide as butter
+plates.
+
+"Well, tell any one you see that she's lost; that's a good boy."
+
+"My gracious, I guess I will."
+
+Off ran little Ned Atkinson, as fast as his legs would carry him.
+
+He told every one he met, but no one had seen Clematis.
+
+Not far down the street Mr. Knapp came rolling out of his yard.
+
+"Have you seen that little girl of ours, Mr. Knapp?"
+
+"Yes, yes. I saw her. She's a likely gal. Quite spry."
+
+"Where was she?" Both men spoke at once.
+
+[Illustration: "I sha'n't be afraid"]
+
+"Oh, right along here, yesterday morning."
+
+"I mean today. Have you seen her today?"
+
+"No, no, I haven't set eyes on her today. What's the matter? Is she
+lost?"
+
+"It looks as if she were lost. We can't find her."
+
+"Well, she'll be back.
+
+                  'Let 'em alone,
+                  And they'll come home,
+                  Wagging their tails behind them.'"
+
+They heard his great voice echo down the river, as they drove on.
+
+Nobody had seen Clematis. Nobody knew anything about her.
+
+Mrs. Alder looked everywhere at home.
+
+Her bag and box were neatly packed and ready, but there was no sign
+of the little girl who owned them.
+
+Many people were looking for Clematis that afternoon.
+
+Ned Atkinson ran everywhere, telling people about the lost girl.
+
+They looked in the woods and in the fields. They looked all along
+the river banks.
+
+When night came, they were still hunting, but had found no trace of
+Clematis.
+
+"I can't sleep a wink tonight," said Mrs. Alder. "I think the child
+must be crazy, to run off like that."
+
+"I don't feel much like sleep myself," Mr. Alder replied.
+
+"I wonder where she can be hiding."
+
+The next morning many people came to ask if Clematis had been
+found.
+
+"No, no, no. There isn't a sign of her anywhere. I don't know what
+we shall do."
+
+Mrs. Alder made the same answer to every one.
+
+During the day people still looked about in new places.
+
+Afternoon came again, but no Clematis came with it.
+
+Towards evening, Mr. Brooks was sitting in his chair by his little
+cottage, reading a book.
+
+The sun was sinking behind the mountains in the west.
+
+The birds were singing their evening songs, in the trees by the
+brook.
+
+All was quiet and peaceful.
+
+As he sat there, Mr. Brooks heard steps on the path.
+
+He looked down and saw a little girl. In her arms was a cat, with a
+black spot over one eye.
+
+The child stumbled as she walked. She seemed ready to drop, she was
+so tired.
+
+"Why, little girl, where did you come from?" cried Mr. Brooks.
+
+He got up and went down to meet her.
+
+Then she raised her pale face, and he saw that it was Clematis. Her
+face and hands were soiled; her hair was tangled; her dress was
+dusty and torn.
+
+"Oh, little maid," he said. "Did you walk way over here to see me?"
+
+"Yes," said Clematis, faintly. "I said I would, and I did."
+
+"Dear child, you are worn out. Come in and rest."
+
+He took her into the little house, and got a basin and water.
+
+"There, dear, wash your face and hands. You will feel better.
+
+"Now sit down, Clematis," said Mr. Brooks, when she had finished
+washing her face and hands, "and we will have a bite to eat."
+
+He cut a slice of bread. On this he spread some butter, and
+sprinkled a little sugar.
+
+Clematis watched him with hungry eyes.
+
+"Dear child, you must be starved," he said, as she took a great
+bite.
+
+"Wouldn't you be hungry if you hadn't had any breakfast or dinner?"
+
+Clematis took another big bite.
+
+"No breakfast? No dinner? Where have you been all day?"
+
+"I stayed in the little house where they boil the sap."
+
+The bread was nearly gone now.
+
+"Did you run away this morning?"
+
+Mr. Brooks was cutting another slice.
+
+"No, I stayed there last night."
+
+"You stayed there all last night? Child! I should think you would
+have frozen. There was frost last night."
+
+"I did freeze," said Clematis, beginning on the second slice.
+
+Mr. Brooks looked at her a moment in silence, while she ate.
+
+"I never heard anything to beat that," he said at last, as he
+reached once more for the bread.
+
+"Mrs. Alder will be very anxious."
+
+Clematis shook her head.
+
+"No she won't. She'll be glad I'm gone."
+
+Mr. Brooks smiled.
+
+"Well, Mr. Alder will, anyway. As soon as you have eaten a few
+loaves of bread, I'll get Mr. Giles's horse. They will be glad
+enough to see you again."
+
+Clematis put down her bread. Her lips quivered, and her eyes filled
+with tears.
+
+"Don't you want me?" she said.
+
+"My dear child, what do you mean?"
+
+"You said you wished you had a little girl."
+
+"Did I say that?"
+
+"Yes, you said you wished you had a little girl, and you can have
+me. Nobody wants me, except you.
+
+"I can make my bed, and wash dishes, and I don't say slang words any
+more, and I can weed everything in your garden."
+
+[Illustration: In Grandfather's house]
+
+Poor Clematis, she had never said so much at one time in her life.
+
+Then she burst into tears. She was tired, and worn, and faint.
+
+Mr. Brooks took her into his lap. He hardly knew what to say to
+comfort her.
+
+"Have you no father or mother?" he asked.
+
+"No," she sobbed, "I haven't anybody at all."
+
+"You see I am all alone here. I haven't any good place to keep a
+little girl."
+
+"I don't care, I can sleep on the floor."
+
+Her eyes were drooping, and she was growing quiet. Her head rested
+on his shoulder.
+
+Mr. Brooks was thinking what to say, when he looked down at her
+face.
+
+Her brown eyes were closed, and she was fast asleep.
+
+He held her there a while. Then he took her into the next room, and
+laid her on the bed.
+
+Covered with a warm blanket, she sighed softly, and sank into a deep
+slumber.
+
+"I can't take her home tonight. She ought to have a long, quiet
+sleep," said Mr. Brooks to himself.
+
+He watched her a while. Then he went out, up the mountain to Mr.
+Giles's house.
+
+There he telephoned to Atkinson's store.
+
+In another minute a little boy was racing up the street. He called
+to every one on his way:
+
+"Clematis is found! Clematis is found! She's up on Bean Hill."
+
+Ned shouted at the top of his voice.
+
+Clematis would have been surprised, if she had seen how glad Mrs.
+Alder was to know that she was safe.
+
+They sent a message to Miss Rose, and told her that Clematis was
+found.
+
+Every one was glad. Every one asked how she ever got way up there on
+Bean Hill, but no one knew.
+
+All this time Clematis was sleeping quietly.
+
+When Mr. Brooks returned, she had not stirred.
+
+He stood and looked at her a long, long time.
+
+When he turned away there were tears in his eyes.
+
+"Poor little elf," he whispered. "She thought I meant just what I
+said."
+
+He spread some blankets on the floor, and lay down, but he did not
+go to sleep.
+
+His thoughts went back to a book he had been reading.
+
+It was about Silas Marner, a man who was sad and lonely.
+
+Silas Marner took a little girl into his tiny house to care for, and
+she made his life happy again.
+
+"Silas Marner did not have so large a home as this," he thought.
+"But he took good care of the little girl. How happy they were
+together."
+
+The little face, all wet with tears, came before him again and
+again.
+
+"I might keep her for a little while, at least," he said to himself.
+"I will see what Mr. Alder thinks in the morning."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+NEW PLANS
+
+
+When Mr. Brooks woke in the morning, Clematis was already up. She
+had washed her face and hands at the spring, near the door, and was
+sitting on the step.
+
+"Oho, so the little bird woke first, did she?" said Mr. Brooks.
+
+Clematis nodded, and looked up shyly.
+
+"I was thinking about you last night before I went to sleep. Suppose
+I should keep you with me for a little while. Do you think you would
+like that?"
+
+"Oh, I would help like anything," she cried. "You just try me, and
+see."
+
+"Well, I will talk to Mr. Alder, and perhaps you can stay for a
+while, at least."
+
+So Mr. Brooks talked with Mr. Alder. Then he wrote to Mrs. Snow.
+
+Yes, Clematis might stay a week.
+
+How hard she tried!
+
+"I'll wash and wipe all the dishes," she said.
+
+The very first day she broke a cup. Then she cried.
+
+"Dear me, don't feel bad about that. You are doing the best you can,
+I know."
+
+Mr. Brooks laughed, and Clematis smiled again.
+
+"Men don't care so much about dishes," she said to herself.
+
+To be sure, Clematis had not learned to do much, but she had learned
+to do her best.
+
+Mr. Brooks found that she could help in many ways, and she was so
+anxious to do her best, that he gladly forgave her mistakes.
+
+He made her a little bed in the room upstairs.
+
+At evening, she could hear the wind whispering in the trees, and the
+little brook that ran down from the spring.
+
+In the morning, she could see the lakes and mountains across the
+valley, as she sat by her open window, while the birds hopped about
+on the twigs, and sang their sweetest songs.
+
+[Illustration: A little girl was coming up the path]
+
+Deborah slept each night in a little box close by her bed, and
+followed her about all day long.
+
+The week passed very quickly. On Friday, Mr. Brooks saw that she was
+silent and thoughtful.
+
+"I don't think I can spare you yet," he said at breakfast. "I must
+ask Mrs. Snow to let you stay another week, at least."
+
+Clematis was never so happy. She smiled and hummed a little song all
+the morning. Now and then she would stop to pat Deborah, who slept
+by the stove.
+
+"He is going to let me stay another week, Debby!" she would whisper.
+"Another week, another whole week."
+
+This week was passing also, when Clematis had a great surprise.
+
+It was a letter from Miss Rose.
+
+"Oh, read it to me, read it to me!" she exclaimed, as she climbed up
+into Mr. Brooks's lap.
+
+So he opened the envelope and read:
+
+  "Dear Clematis:
+
+  Mr. Brooks has asked us if he might keep you for a year. Do
+  you think you would like to stay?
+
+  I shall go to see you in Tilton next week, so you must be
+  thinking it over, and decide if you really want to stay?
+
+                                         Your true friend,
+                                              Rose Thornton."
+
+After he had finished, Clematis was silent for a moment. Then she
+looked up at him with a happy smile.
+
+"Please read it again," she said.
+
+So he read it again, while she sat still in his lap.
+
+"Do you think you would really like to stay?" he asked, when he had
+finished.
+
+Clematis patted his hand, and snuggled her face against his
+shoulder.
+
+"Can Debby stay, too?" she asked.
+
+"Of course she can. We couldn't get along without Debby."
+
+That night Clematis looked out at the golden light, just fading from
+the mountains.
+
+A star was twinkling in the sky. The brook was bubbling down among
+the trees, and the wind hummed a little tune in their soft
+branches.
+
+She was very happy.
+
+"I am going to be happy always now," she said.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+THE TRUE FAIRY STORY
+
+
+The next week they got Mr. Giles's horse, and drove down to meet
+Miss Rose at the station.
+
+How glad Clematis was to see her!
+
+She sat in her lap all the way back to Bean Hill, and told her about
+the mountains, the lakes, the trees, and the birds.
+
+"So you think you would like to stay a whole year, do you?" asked
+Miss Rose.
+
+Clematis smiled and nodded.
+
+"Deborah can stay too," she said.
+
+When they got to the little cottage, Miss Rose went in with Mr.
+Brooks, and had a long talk.
+
+She told him all she knew about Clematis.
+
+He listened while she told him how Clematis ran away, how the
+policeman found her, and how she came to the Home.
+
+"Have you any trace of her father and mother?"
+
+"No, they said the father's name was Jones, but I am not sure that
+was her father's true name. Both her father and mother died when she
+was a baby, they say."
+
+Mr. Brooks looked puzzled.
+
+"Did the mother leave nothing when she died, that people might know
+her by?"
+
+Miss Rose reached into her little black bag and brought out the
+picture. Mr. Brooks did not take it at first.
+
+"They said the father's name was Jones; did they tell you his first
+name?" he asked.
+
+"No, just Jones. I could learn no other name."
+
+Miss Rose held out the picture, and Mr. Brooks's hand trembled as he
+took it.
+
+After one look, he carried it to the window.
+
+There he held it to the light, and gazed at it a long time.
+
+"Do you see some one there you know?" asked Miss Rose.
+
+"Wouldn't you know your own daughter, if you saw her?"
+
+Miss Rose smiled. Then she saw tears in his eyes.
+
+"Please forgive me for smiling," she said. "You reminded me so much
+of Clematis. She asks questions just like that."
+
+"Well, wouldn't you expect her to be like her own grandfather?"
+
+Then Mr. Brooks smiled too.
+
+"Is she really your grandchild?" exclaimed Miss Rose.
+
+"Yes, she is, she must be. This is her mother here."
+
+He pointed to one of the girls in the picture.
+
+"This was taken in front of the Seminary, a year before she ran away
+to be married."
+
+"Oh, it seems just like a fairy story. I can hardly believe it."
+
+Miss Rose looked again at the picture.
+
+"Yes, it is like a fairy story," Mr. Brooks replied. "Dear, wayward
+girl. She needn't have run away. I would have gladly forgiven her."
+
+"Then you will take Clematis to live with you, I suppose."
+
+"Yes indeed. I have wondered about that name, Clematis. Her mother
+loved flowers. She loved the clematis vine about the door most of
+all."
+
+"I suppose she named Clematis in memory of her dear old home," said
+Miss Rose.
+
+Then Mr. Brooks told Miss Rose about the white house on the hill.
+
+"I suppose we ought to move back there, now," he said. "Then
+Clematis can go to the Union School, and grow up like other
+children."
+
+"It is wonderful. It is a fairy story, I am sure," she replied, "for
+the fairies must have led Clematis to your door. She will be the
+happiest child alive, when we tell her."
+
+And Clematis was the happiest girl alive, when they called her in
+and told her the whole story.
+
+She climbed into her grandfather's lap, and held his hand, while
+Miss Rose told it just like a fairy tale.
+
+"Are we going to live in the house where all the vines are?" she
+asked, when Miss Rose was done.
+
+"Yes, dear, you are."
+
+"And I can stay there always?"
+
+"Yes, Clematis."
+
+"And will you be my grandpa always?"
+
+She looked up at Mr. Brooks. He smiled and kissed her hot cheek.
+
+"Yes, little maiden. You shall be my housekeeper, and we shall be as
+happy as robins in an apple tree."
+
+So Miss Rose went back to Boston, and told them all the story.
+
+The children made her tell it over and over again. They said it was
+better than any fairy tale they had ever read.
+
+"And did she really sleep out in the woods alone?" asked Sally.
+
+"And does her grandfather really and truly have a big white house on
+a hill?" asked Jane.
+
+"Yes, yes, yes. It is all true, every word of it," answered Miss
+Rose.
+
+Even Clematis could hardly believe it all, at first.
+
+She followed her grandfather all about, wherever he went, for fear
+he might fly away, and never come back.
+
+In the golden October, they moved up to the white house on the hill,
+grandfather, Clematis, and Deborah.
+
+There Clematis had the room over the porch, where the vines climbed
+around her window. She could look out each morning, and see the
+river, and the lakes, with the mountains beyond.
+
+She felt a little strange among all the new people she saw each day,
+and she had very much to learn. But Clematis learned the best thing
+of all, to do the best she could, and she soon grew into a sweet,
+useful girl.
+
+Her little friends loved her, and her teachers helped her, for she
+tried to please them, and never complained because things were not
+easy to do.
+
+When she heard that Sally and the other girls could hardly believe
+her story, she went and whispered to her grandfather.
+
+"May I?" she asked.
+
+"Of course you may," he said, "as many as you want."
+
+Then she wrote a letter all her own self. She invited all the girls
+her own age, at the Home, to visit her the next summer, and see for
+themselves.
+
+So if you ever go to Tilton, you must look about for a strong, happy
+girl, with big brown eyes, who studies her lessons, and works in the
+garden, and has the happiest time any girl ever had, with her
+grandfather, in the big white house on the hill.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Clematis, by Bertha B. Cobb and Ernest Cobb
+
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+"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd">
+<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
+<head>
+<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" />
+<title>
+The Project Gutenberg eBook of Clematis, by Bertha B. and Ernest Cobb.
+</title>
+
+<style type="text/css">
+/*<![CDATA[  XML blockout */
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+    p                 {margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: 0.5em;}
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+    a                 {text-decoration: none;}
+    h3                {text-align:center; font-weight:normal; font-size: 1.2em;}
+    .pncolor          {color: silver;}
+    div.ce p          {text-align: center; margin: auto 0;}
+    .figcenter        {margin: 2em auto 2em auto; text-align: center;}
+    .caption          {font-size:.8em;}
+    table             {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both;}
+    .blockquot        {margin-left:5%; margin-right:5%;}
+    .pagenum          {display: inline; font-size: x-small; text-align: right; position: absolute; right: 2%; padding: 1px 3px; font-style: normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:normal; text-decoration: none; background-color: inherit; border:1px solid #eee;}
+    hr.major          {width: 65%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; clear:both;}
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+    hr.silver         {width: 100%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver;}
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+<body>
+
+
+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Clematis, by Bertha B. Cobb and Ernest Cobb
+
+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: Clematis
+
+Author: Bertha B. Cobb
+        Ernest Cobb
+
+Illustrator: A. G. Cram
+             Willis Levis
+
+Release Date: September 6, 2008 [EBook #26543]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CLEMATIS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<hr class='silver' />
+
+<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>OTHER BOOKS</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>BY BERTHA B. AND ERNEST COBB</p>
+<br />
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>ARLO</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>CLEMATIS</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>ANITA</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>PATHWAYS</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>ALLSPICE</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>DAN&#8217;S BOY</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>PENNIE</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>ANDRÉ</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>ONE FOOT ON THE GROUND</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>ROBIN</p>
+</td></tr></table>
+
+<hr class='silver' />
+
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<img src='images/i01.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 299px; height: 458px;' /><br />
+<p class='caption' style='margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;width: 299px;'>
+&#8220;Are you going to sit here all day, little girl?&#8221;<br />
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='silver' />
+
+<div class='ce'>
+<p style=' font-size:2.2em; margin-top:; margin-bottom:2em;'>CLEMATIS</p>
+<p style=' font-size:; margin-top:; margin-bottom:;'>BY</p>
+<p style=' font-size:1.2em; margin-top:; margin-bottom:;'>BERTHA B. AND ERNEST COBB</p>
+<p style=' font-size:0.8em; margin-top:; margin-bottom:4em; margin-left:20%; margin-right:20%;'>Authors of Arlo, Busy Builder&#8217;s Book, Hand in Hand With Father Time, etc.</p>
+<p style=' font-size:0.8em; margin-top:; margin-bottom:;'>With illustrations by</p>
+<p style=' font-size:1.2em; margin-top:; margin-bottom:;'>A. G. CRAM</p>
+<p style=' font-size:0.8em; margin-top:; margin-bottom:;'>AND</p>
+<p style=' font-size:1.2em; margin-top:; margin-bottom:2em;'>WILLIS LEVIS</p>
+<p style=' font-size:1em; margin-top:; margin-bottom:;'>G. P. PUTNAM&#8217;S SONS</p>
+<p style=' font-size:0.8em; margin-top:; margin-bottom:;'>NEW YORK AND LONDON</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='silver' />
+
+<div class='ce' style=' font-size:0.8em;'>
+<p><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Copyright, 1917</span></p>
+<div style='margin-top:1em'></div>
+<p>By BERTHA B. and ERNEST COBB</p>
+<div style='margin-top:1em'></div>
+<p>Entered at Stationers&#8217; Hall, London</p>
+<p>for Foreign Countries</p>
+<div style='margin-top:1em'></div>
+<p>Twenty-second Impression</p>
+<div style='margin-top:1em'></div>
+<p>All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, must</p>
+<p>not be reproduced in any form without permission.</p>
+<div style='margin-top:1em'></div>
+<p>Made in the United States of America</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='silver' />
+
+<div class='ce'>
+<p>Somerset, Mass.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>Dear Priscilla:</p>
+<p>You have taken such a fancy to little
+Clematis that we hope other children may
+like her, too. We may not be able to buy
+you all the ponies, and goats, and dogs,
+and cats that you would like, but we will
+dedicate the book to you, and then you
+can play with all the animals Clematis
+has, any time you wish.</p>
+<div class='ra'>
+<p style=' margin-right:3em;'>With much love, from</p>
+<p><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Bertha B. and Ernest Cobb.</span></p>
+</div>
+
+<p>To Miss Priscilla Cobb.</p>
+<hr class='silver' />
+
+<div class='ce'>
+<p style=' font-size:1.2em; margin-bottom:1em;'>CONTENTS</p>
+</div>
+
+<table border='0' width='500' cellpadding='2' cellspacing='0' summary='Contents' style='margin:1em auto;'>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'><span style='font-size:small;'>Chapter</span></td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align='right'><span style='font-size:small;'>Page</span></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>1.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Lost in a Big City</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#LOST_IN_A_BIG_CITY'>1</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>2.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Children&#8217;s Home</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#THE_CHILDREN_S_HOME'>16</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>3.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The First Night</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#THE_FIRST_NIGHT'>28</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>4.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Who is Clematis?</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#WHO_IS_CLEMATIS'>41</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>5.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Clematis Begins to Learn</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CLEMATIS_BEGINS_TO_LEARN'>52</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>6.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Clematis Has a Hard Row to Hoe</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CLEMATIS_HAS_A_HARD_ROW_TO_HOE'>61</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>7.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>What Clematis Found</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#WHAT_CLEMATIS_FOUND'>72</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>8.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Visitor</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#A_VISITOR'>86</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>9.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Secret</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#THE_SECRET'>97</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>10.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Two Doctors</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#TWO_DOCTORS'>109</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>11.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Long, Anxious Night</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#A_LONG_ANXIOUS_NIGHT'>121</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>12.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Getting Well</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#GETTING_WELL'>134</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>13.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Off for Tilton</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#OFF_FOR_TILTON'>145</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>14.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Country</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#THE_COUNTRY'>160</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>15.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Clematis Tries to Help</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CLEMATIS_TRIES_TO_HELP'>172</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>16.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Only a Few Days More</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#ONLY_A_FEW_DAYS_MORE'>186</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>17.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Where is Clematis?</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#WHERE_IS_CLEMATIS'>200</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>18.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Hunting for Clematis</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#HUNTING_FOR_CLEMATIS'>215</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>19.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>New Plans</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#NEW_PLANS'>230</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>20.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The True Fairy Story</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#THE_TRUE_FAIRY_STORY'>237</a></td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+<hr class='silver' />
+
+<div class='ce'>
+<p style=' font-size:1.2em; margin-bottom:1em;'>ILLUSTRATIONS</p>
+</div>
+
+<table summary=''>
+<tr><td>1.</td><td>&#8220;Are you going to sit here all day, little girl?&#8221;</td></tr>
+<tr><td>2.</td><td>&#8220;I don't want to stay here if you're going to throw my cat away.&#8221;</td></tr>
+<tr><td>3.</td><td>With Katie in the kitchen.</td></tr>
+<tr><td>4.</td><td>Thinking of the land of flowers.</td></tr>
+<tr><td>5.</td><td>Clematis held out her hand.</td></tr>
+<tr><td>6.</td><td>Clematis is better.</td></tr>
+<tr><td>7.</td><td>Off for Tilton.</td></tr>
+<tr><td>8.</td><td>In the country at last.</td></tr>
+<tr><td>9.</td><td>The little red hen.</td></tr>
+<tr><td>10.</td><td>Clematis watched the little fishes by the shore.</td></tr>
+<tr><td>11.</td><td>&#8220;I shan't be afraid.&#8221;</td></tr>
+<tr><td>12.</td><td>A little girl was coming up the path.</td></tr>
+<tr><td>13.</td><td>Deborah was very hungry.</td></tr>
+<tr><td>14.</td><td>&#8220;Didn't you ever peel potatoes?&#8221;</td></tr>
+<tr><td>15.</td><td>&#8220;What are you sewing?&#8221;</td></tr>
+<tr><td>16.</td><td>Clematis stuck one hand out.</td></tr>
+<tr><td>17.</td><td>She could see the little fish.</td></tr>
+<tr><td>18.</td><td>In Grandfather's house.</td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<hr class='silver' />
+
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_1' name='page_1'></a>1</span></div>
+<div class='ce'>
+<p style=' font-size:2em;'>CLEMATIS</p>
+</div>
+
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='LOST_IN_A_BIG_CITY' id='LOST_IN_A_BIG_CITY'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER I</h2>
+<h3>LOST IN THE BIG CITY</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>It was early Spring. A warm
+sun shone down upon the city
+street. On the edge of the
+narrow brick sidewalk a little girl
+was sitting.</p>
+<p>Her gingham dress was old and
+shabby. The short, brown coat
+had lost all its buttons, and a rusty
+pin held it together.</p>
+<p>A faded blue cap partly covered
+her brown hair, which hung in
+short, loose curls around her face.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_2' name='page_2'></a>2</span></p>
+<p>She had been sitting there almost
+an hour when a policeman
+came along.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wonder where that girl
+belongs,&#8221; he said, as he looked
+down at her. &#8220;She is a new one
+on Chambers Street.&#8221;</p>
+<p>He walked on, but he looked
+back as he walked, to see if she
+went away.</p>
+<p>The child slowly raised her big,
+brown eyes to look after him. She
+watched him till he reached the
+corner by the meat shop; then she
+looked down and began to kick at
+the stones with her thin boots.</p>
+<p>At this moment a bell rang. A
+door opened in a building across the
+street, and many children came out.</p>
+<p>As they passed the little girl,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_3' name='page_3'></a>3</span>
+some of them looked at her. One
+little boy bent down to see her
+face, but she hid it under her arm.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What are you afraid of?&#8221; he
+asked. &#8220;Who&#8217;s going to hurt
+you?&#8221;</p>
+<p>She did not answer.</p>
+<p>Another boy opened his lunch
+box as he passed, and shook out
+the pieces of bread, left from his
+lunch.</p>
+<p>Soon the children were gone,
+and the street was quiet again.</p>
+<p>The little girl kicked at the
+stones a few minutes; then she
+looked up. No one was looking
+at her, so she reached out one little
+hand and picked up a crust of bread.</p>
+<p>In a wink the bread was in her
+mouth. She reached out for
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_4' name='page_4'></a>4</span>
+another, brushed off a little dirt,
+and ate that also.</p>
+<p>Just then the policeman came
+down the street from the other
+corner. The child quickly bent
+her head and looked down.</p>
+<p>This time he came to where
+she sat, and stopped.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Are you going to sit here all
+day, little girl?&#8221; he asked.</p>
+<p>She did not answer.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Your mother will be looking
+for you. You&#8217;d better run home
+now, like a good girl. Where do
+you live, anyway?&#8221;</p>
+<p>He bent down and lifted her
+chin, so she had to look up at
+him.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where do you live, miss? Tell
+us now, that&#8217;s a good girl.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_5' name='page_5'></a>5</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know.&#8221; The child
+spoke slowly, half afraid.</p>
+<p>&#8220;O come now, of course you
+know, a big girl like you ought to
+know. What&#8217;s the name of the
+street?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ah, you&#8217;re only afraid of me.
+Don&#8217;t be afraid of Jim Cunneen
+now. I&#8217;ve a little girl at home
+just about your age.&#8221;</p>
+<p>He waited for her to answer,
+but she said nothing.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come miss, you must think.
+How can I take you home if you
+don&#8217;t tell me where you live?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, dear me! That is all I
+get for an answer. Well then,
+I&#8217;ll have to take you down to the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_6' name='page_6'></a>6</span>
+station. May be you will find a
+tongue down there.&#8221;</p>
+<p>As he spoke, he took hold of
+her arm to help her up. Then
+he tried one more question.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What is your name?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;My name is Clematis.&#8221;</p>
+<p>As she spoke she moved her
+arm, and out from the coat peeped
+a kitten. It was white, with a
+black spot over one eye.</p>
+<p>&#8220;There, that is better,&#8221; answered
+the policeman. &#8220;Now
+tell me your last name.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That is all the name I have,
+just Clematis.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well then, what is your
+father&#8217;s name?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I haven&#8217;t any father.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ah, that is too bad, dear.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_7' name='page_7'></a>7</span>
+Then tell me your mother&#8217;s
+name.&#8221; He bent down lower to
+hear her reply.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I haven&#8217;t any mother, either.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;No father? No mother?&#8221;
+The policeman lifted her gently to
+her feet. &#8220;Well miss, we won&#8217;t
+stay here any longer. It is getting
+late.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Just then the kitten stuck its
+head out from her coat and said,
+&#8220;Miew.&#8221;</p>
+<p>It seemed very glad to move on.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s that now, a cat?
+Where did you get that?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is my kitty, my very own,
+so I kept it. I didn&#8217;t steal it.
+Its name is Deborah, and it is my
+very own.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ah, now she is finding her
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_8' name='page_8'></a>8</span>
+tongue,&#8221; said the policeman,
+smiling; while Clematis hugged
+the kitten.</p>
+<p>But the little girl could tell him
+no more, so he led her along the
+street toward the police station.</p>
+<p>Before they had gone very far,
+they passed a baker&#8217;s shop.</p>
+<p>In the window were rolls,
+and cookies, and buns, and little
+cakes with jam and frosting on
+them.</p>
+<p>The smell of fresh bread came
+through the door.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What is the matter, miss?&#8221;
+The man looked down, as Clematis
+stood still before the window.</p>
+<p>She was looking through the
+glass, at the rolls, and cakes, and
+cookies.</p>
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<img src='images/i02.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 303px; height: 458px;' /><br />
+<p class='caption' style='margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;width: 303px;'>
+&#8220;I don&#8217;t want to stay here if you are going to throw my cat away&#8221;<br />
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_9' name='page_9'></a>9</span></div>
+<p>The policeman smelled the
+fresh bread, and it made him
+hungry.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Are you hungry, little girl?&#8221;
+he asked, looking down with a
+smile.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Wouldn&#8217;t you be hungry if
+you hadn&#8217;t had anything to eat
+all day long?&#8221; Clematis looked
+up at him with tears in her big
+brown eyes.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nothing to eat all day? Why,
+you must be nearly starved!&#8221; As
+he spoke, the policeman started
+into the store, pulling Clematis
+after him.</p>
+<p>She was so surprised that she
+almost dropped her kitten.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Miew,&#8221; said poor Deborah, as
+if she knew they were going to
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_10' name='page_10'></a>10</span>
+starve no longer. But it was
+really because she was squeezed so
+tight she couldn&#8217;t help it.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, Miss Clematis, do you
+see anything there you like?&#8221;</p>
+<p>Jim Cunneen smiled down at
+Clematis, as she peeped through
+the glass case at the things inside.</p>
+<p>She stood silent, with her nose
+right against the glass.</p>
+<p>There were so many things to
+eat it almost took her breath
+away.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, what do you say, little
+girl? Don&#8217;t you see anything you
+like?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;May I choose anything I
+want?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, miss. Just pick out what
+you like best.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_11' name='page_11'></a>11</span></p>
+<p>The lady behind the counter
+smiled, as the policeman lifted
+Clematis a little, so she could see
+better. There were cakes, and
+cookies, and buns, and doughnuts.</p>
+<p>&#8220;May I have a cream cake?&#8221;
+asked Clematis.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course you may. What
+else?&#8221; He lifted her a bit higher.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Miew!&#8221; said Deborah, from
+under her coat.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, excuse me, cat,&#8221; he said,
+as he set Clematis down. &#8220;I forgot
+you were there too.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The woman laughed, as she
+took out a cream cake, a cookie
+with nuts on it, and a doughnut.</p>
+<p>&#8220;May I eat them now?&#8221; asked
+Clematis, as she took the bag.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_12' name='page_12'></a>12</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;You start right in, and if
+that&#8217;s not enough, you can have
+more. But don&#8217;t forget the
+cat.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Jim Cunneen laughed with the
+baker woman, while Clematis
+began to eat the doughnut, as
+they started out.</p>
+<p>Before long they came to a
+brick building that had big
+doors.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Here we are,&#8221; said the policeman.
+They turned, and went
+inside.</p>
+<p>There another policeman was
+sitting at a desk behind a railing.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, who comes here?&#8221; asked
+the policeman at the desk.</p>
+<p>&#8220;That is more than I know,&#8221;
+replied Jim Cunneen. &#8220;I guess
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_13' name='page_13'></a>13</span>
+she&#8217;s lost out of the flower show.
+She says her name is Clematis.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis said nothing. Her
+mouth was full of cream cake now,
+and a little cream was running
+over her fingers.</p>
+<p>Deborah was silent also. She
+was eating the last crumbs of the
+doughnut.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Is that all you could find out?&#8221;
+The other man looked at Clematis.</p>
+<p>&#8220;She says she has no father
+and no mother. Her cat is named
+Deborah. That is all she told
+me.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, well, I guess you scared
+her, Jim. Let me ask her. I&#8217;ll
+find out.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The new policeman smiled at
+Clematis. &#8220;Come on now, sister,&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_14' name='page_14'></a>14</span>
+he said. &#8220;Tell us where you live.
+That&#8217;s a good girl.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis reached up one hand
+and took hold of her friend&#8217;s big
+finger. She looked at the new
+policeman a moment.</p>
+<p>&#8220;If you didn&#8217;t know where you
+lived, how could you tell anyone?&#8221;
+she said.</p>
+<p>Jim Cunneen laughed. He liked
+to feel her little hand.</p>
+<p>&#8220;See how scared she is of me,&#8221;
+he said. &#8220;We are old friends
+now.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Again they asked the little girl
+all the questions they could think
+of. But it was of no use. She
+could not tell them where she
+lived. She would not tell them
+very much about herself.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_15' name='page_15'></a>15</span></p>
+<p>At last the Captain came in.
+They told him about this queer
+little girl.</p>
+<p>He asked her questions also.
+Then he said:</p>
+<p>&#8220;We shall have to send her to
+the Home. If anyone claims
+her he can find her there.&#8221;</p>
+<p>So Clematis and Deborah were
+tucked into the big station wagon,
+and Jim Cunneen took her to the
+Home, where lost children are
+sheltered and fed.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='THE_CHILDREN_S_HOME' id='THE_CHILDREN_S_HOME'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_16' name='page_16'></a>16</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER II</h2>
+<h3>THE CHILDREN&#8217;S HOME</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>As they climbed the steps
+leading to the Home, Clematis
+looked up at the policeman.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What is this place?&#8221; she
+asked.</p>
+<p>&#8220;This is the Children&#8217;s Home,
+miss. You will have a fine time
+here.&#8221;</p>
+<p>A young woman with a kind
+face opened the door.</p>
+<p>The policeman did not go in.
+&#8220;Here is a child I found on
+Chambers Street,&#8221; he said. &#8220;We
+can&#8217;t find out where she lives.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I see,&#8221; said the woman.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_17' name='page_17'></a>17</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Could you take her in for
+a while, till we can find her
+parents?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I guess we have room
+for her. Come in, little girl.&#8221;</p>
+<p>At that moment there was a
+scratching sound, and Deborah
+stuck her head out.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Miew,&#8221; said Deborah, who
+was still hungry. Perhaps she
+thought it was another bakery.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Dear me!&#8221; cried the young
+woman, &#8220;we can&#8217;t have that cat
+in here.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis drew back, and reached
+for Jim Cunneen&#8217;s hand.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a very nice cat, I&#8217;m sure,&#8221;
+said the policeman.</p>
+<p>He felt sorry for Clematis. He
+knew how she loved her kitten.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_18' name='page_18'></a>18</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;But it&#8217;s against the rules.
+The children can never have cats
+or dogs in here.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis, with tears in her
+eyes, turned away.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come on,&#8221; she said to her
+big friend. &#8220;Let us go.&#8221;</p>
+<p>But Jim Cunneen drew her
+back. He loved little girls, and
+was also fond of cats.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t you think the cook
+might need it for a day or two, to
+catch the rats?&#8221; he asked, with his
+best smile.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh dear me, I don&#8217;t know. I
+don&#8217;t think so. It&#8217;s against the
+rules for children to bring in pets.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ah then, just wait a minute.
+I&#8217;ll be right back.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The policeman ran down the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_19' name='page_19'></a>19</span>
+steps and around the corner of the
+house, while the young woman
+asked Clematis questions.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s all right then, I&#8217;m sure,&#8221;
+he called as he came back. &#8220;Katie
+says she would be very glad to
+have that cat to help her catch
+the rats.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The young woman laughed;
+Clematis dried her tears, and Jim
+Cunneen waved his hand and said
+goodby.</p>
+<p>In another moment the door
+opened, and Clematis, with Deborah
+still in her arms, was in her
+new home.</p>
+<p>It was supper hour at the
+Children&#8217;s Home. In the big
+dining room three long tables were
+set.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_20' name='page_20'></a>20</span></p>
+<p>At each place on the clean,
+bare table was a plate, a small
+yellow bowl, and a spoon.</p>
+<p>Beside each plate was a blue
+gingham bib.</p>
+<p>Jane, one of the girls in the
+Home, was filling the bowls on
+her table with milk from a big
+brown pitcher.</p>
+<p>Two little girls worked at each
+of the tables. While one filled
+the bowls, the other brought the
+bread.</p>
+<p>She put two thick slices of bread
+and a big cookie on each plate.</p>
+<p>The young woman who had
+let Clematis in, came to the table
+near the door.</p>
+<p>&#8220;There is a new girl at your
+table tonight, Jane,&#8221; she said.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_21' name='page_21'></a>21</span>
+&#8220;She will sit next to me.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right, Miss Rose,&#8221; answered
+Jane, carefully filling the
+last yellow bowl.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Please may I ring the bell
+tonight, Miss Rose?&#8221; asked Sally,
+who had been helping Jane.</p>
+<p>Miss Rose looked at the table.
+Every slice of bread and every
+cookie was in place.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, dear; your work is well
+done. You may ring.&#8221;</p>
+<p>At the sound of the supper
+bell, a tramping of many feet
+sounded in the long hall.</p>
+<p>The doors of the dining room
+were opened, and Mrs. Snow came
+in, followed by a double line of
+little girls.</p>
+<p>Each girl knew just where to
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_22' name='page_22'></a>22</span>
+find her place, and stood waiting
+for the signal to sit.</p>
+<p>A teacher stood at the head of
+each table, and beside Miss Rose
+was the little stranger.</p>
+<p>Mrs. Snow was the housemother.
+She asked the blessing,
+while every little girl bowed her
+head.</p>
+<p>Clematis stared about at the
+other children all this time, and
+wondered what they were doing.</p>
+<p>Now they were seated, and
+each girl buttoned her bib in
+place before she tasted her supper.</p>
+<p>Sally sat next to Clematis.</p>
+<p>&#8220;They gave you a bath, didn&#8217;t
+they?&#8221; she said, as she put her
+bread into her bowl.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_23' name='page_23'></a>23</span></p>
+<p>Clematis nodded.</p>
+<p>&#8220;And you got a nice clean
+apron like ours, didn&#8217;t you?&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis nodded again.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, see her hair, it&#8217;s lovely!&#8221;
+sighed a little girl across the table,
+who had short, straight hair.</p>
+<p>Clematis&#8217; soft brown curls were
+neatly brushed, and tied with a
+dark red ribbon.</p>
+<p>She did not look much like the
+child who came in an hour before.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s her name?&#8221; asked
+Jane, looking at Miss Rose.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll ask her tomorrow.
+Now stop talking please, so she
+can eat her supper.&#8221;</p>
+<p>At that, the little girl looked
+up at Miss Rose and said: &#8220;My
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_24' name='page_24'></a>24</span>
+name is Clematis, and my kitty&#8217;s
+name is Deborah.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Just as she said this, a very
+strange noise was heard. Every
+child stopped eating. Miss Rose
+turned red, and Mrs. Snow looked
+up in surprise.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Miew, miew, miew,&#8221; came
+from under the table. In another
+minute a little head peeped over
+the edge of the table where
+Clematis sat. It was a kitten,
+with a black spot over one eye.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Miew, miew,&#8221; Deborah continued,
+and stuck her little red
+tongue right into the yellow bowl.
+She was very hungry, and could
+wait no longer.</p>
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<img src='images/i13.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 301px; height: 460px;' /><br />
+<p class='caption' style='margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;width: 301px;'>
+Deborah was very hungry<br />
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_25' name='page_25'></a>25</span></div>
+<p>Mrs. Snow rapped on the table,
+for every child laughed right out.
+What fun it was! No one had
+ever seen a cat in there before.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Miss Rose, will you kindly
+put that cat out. Put her out
+the front door.&#8221; Mrs. Snow was
+very stern. She didn&#8217;t wish any
+cats in the Home.</p>
+<p>Clematis looked at Mrs. Snow.
+Her eyes filled with tears, and she
+began to sob.</p>
+<p>Miss Rose turned as red as
+Deborah&#8217;s tongue. She had not
+asked Mrs. Snow if she might
+let the cat in. She thought it
+would stay in the kitchen with
+Katie.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did you hear me, Miss Rose?
+I wish you would please put the
+cat out the door. We can&#8217;t have
+it here.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_26' name='page_26'></a>26</span></p>
+<p>Miss Rose started to get up,
+when Clematis slipped out of her
+chair, hugging Deborah tightly to
+her breast.</p>
+<p>The tears were running down
+her cheeks, as she started for the
+door.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where are you going, little
+girl?&#8221; said Mrs. Snow.</p>
+<p>Clematis did not answer, but
+kept right on.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Stop her, Miss Rose. What
+is the matter, anyway? Dear me,
+what a fuss!&#8221;</p>
+<p>Miss Rose caught Clematis by
+the arm.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Wait, dear,&#8221; she said. &#8220;Don&#8217;t
+act like that. Answer Mrs. Snow.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t care,&#8221; sobbed Clematis,
+looking back. &#8220;I don&#8217;t want
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_27' name='page_27'></a>27</span>
+to stay here if you are going to
+throw my cat away.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I should have asked you, Mrs.
+Snow,&#8221; said Miss Rose. &#8220;She
+had the kitten with her. She
+cried to bring it in, and Katie
+said she would care for it in the
+kitchen.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, so that is it. Well, don&#8217;t
+cry, child. Take it back to Katie,
+and tell her to keep the door shut.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;She&#8217;s hungry,&#8221; said Clematis,
+drying her eyes on her sleeve.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, ask Katie to feed her
+then, and come right back to the
+table.&#8221;</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='THE_FIRST_NIGHT' id='THE_FIRST_NIGHT'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_28' name='page_28'></a>28</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER III</h2>
+<h3>THE FIRST NIGHT</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Supper was soon finished, with
+many giggles from the little girls,
+who hoped that Deborah would
+get in again.</p>
+<p>Clematis ate every crumb of
+her bread and cookie. Her yellow
+bowl looked as if Deborah had
+lapped it dry.</p>
+<p>&#8220;After supper, we play games.
+It&#8217;s great fun,&#8221; said Sally, as they
+were folding their bibs.</p>
+<p>The bell rang, and the long
+line of children formed once
+more.</p>
+<p>They marched out through the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_29' name='page_29'></a>29</span>
+long hall, up the broad stairs to
+the play room.</p>
+<p>There were little tables, with
+low chairs to match. Some of the
+tables held games.</p>
+<p>In one corner of the room was
+a great doll house, that a rich lady
+had given to the Home.</p>
+<p>In another corner was a small
+wooden swing with two seats.</p>
+<p>A rocking horse stood near the
+window, and a box of bean bags
+lay on a low shelf near by.</p>
+<p>Soon all were playing happily,
+except Clematis, who stood near
+the window.</p>
+<p>She was looking at the trees,
+which were sending out red buds.
+The sun had set, and the sky was
+rosy with the last light of day.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_30' name='page_30'></a>30</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t you want to play?&#8221;
+asked Miss Rose, coming across
+the room.</p>
+<p>Clematis shook her head.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What would you like to do,
+dear?&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis thought a moment.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I should like to help Katie in
+the kitchen. She must need some
+little girl.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Miss Rose smiled. &#8220;If Clematis
+can get down into the kitchen,
+she can see her kitten,&#8221; she
+thought. &#8220;She is a sly little puss
+herself.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t think you could go
+down tonight, but if you are a
+good girl I am sure Katie will
+want you to help her before
+long.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_31' name='page_31'></a>31</span></p>
+<p>Clematis smiled.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come now, and I will ask
+Jane to show you the doll house.&#8221;</p>
+<p>So the little girls took Clematis
+over to the doll house that stood
+in the corner.</p>
+<p>Jane opened the front door, so
+they could look in and see four
+pretty rooms.</p>
+<p>Lace curtains hung at the tiny
+windows. New rugs were on the
+floors.</p>
+<p>There was a tiny kitchen, with
+a tiny stove and tiny kettles,
+all just like your own house. It
+was enough to make any girl
+happy.</p>
+<p>It was so much fun that Clematis
+forgot to be sad, and was
+not ready to leave the doll house
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_32' name='page_32'></a>32</span>
+when the bell rang once more.
+It was bedtime.</p>
+<p>&#8220;That is the sleepy bell,&#8221; said
+Jane, closing the door to the doll
+house, and running toward the
+stairs.</p>
+<p>Clematis was at the end of
+the row, as the girls went out of
+the playroom, and Miss Rose spoke
+as she passed through the door.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I will show you where you
+are to sleep, my dear. You go
+with the other children, and I&#8217;ll
+come in a few minutes.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis followed the other
+children up the stairs to the sleeping
+rooms.</p>
+<p>Miss Rose soon came, and together
+they went to the room at
+the end of the hall.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_33' name='page_33'></a>33</span></p>
+<p>How sweet that room looked
+to the tired little stranger!</p>
+<p>A white iron bed stood against
+the wall, near the window. A
+small table held a wash basin and
+pitcher. There was a cup and
+soap dish, too.</p>
+<p>Two clean towels hung near by.</p>
+<p>Best of all was the little white
+bureau, with a mirror. The mirror
+had a white frame.</p>
+<p>There was a pink rug before
+the bureau, and beside the bureau
+was a white chair.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, my!&#8221; cried Clematis, &#8220;see
+the flowers on the wall!&#8221; The
+pink wall paper was covered with
+white roses and their green
+leaves.</p>
+<p>Miss Rose took a white nightdress
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_34' name='page_34'></a>34</span>
+from the bureau, and laid it
+on the bed.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, Clematis, I shall give
+you just ten minutes to undress.
+When I come back I want you to
+be all ready for me.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Miss Rose went out, and Clematis
+started on her shoes.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I guess she don&#8217;t know how fast
+I can undress,&#8221; she said to herself.</p>
+<p>When Miss Rose came back,
+in ten minutes, she found Clematis
+already in bed, and half asleep.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why Clematis, this will never
+do!&#8221; Miss Rose pulled back the
+sheet and made Clematis sit up.</p>
+<p>There, beside the bed, was a
+pile of clothes. There were the
+stockings, just as she had pulled
+them off.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_35' name='page_35'></a>35</span></p>
+<p>The boots were thrown down
+on the clean gingham dress, and
+the fresh apron was sadly crushed.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am sorry, little girl,&#8221; said
+Miss Rose, &#8220;but you will have to
+get right up.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why?&#8221; asked Clematis.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No little girl can go to bed
+without washing her face and
+hands. No little girl can leave
+her clothes like this.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Isn&#8217;t this my room?&#8221; said
+Clematis, slowly getting out of bed.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is for tonight. We always
+let a new child sleep alone the
+first night.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Wasn&#8217;t I quick in getting into
+bed? Why must I get up?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Look, dear. Look at that
+pile of clothes.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_36' name='page_36'></a>36</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I always leave them
+there,&#8221; replied Clematis. &#8220;Then
+I know just where to find them
+in the morning.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;We don&#8217;t do so here, Clematis.
+Now please pick up the clothes, fold
+them, and put them on the chair.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then put your boots under
+the chair, and take off your pretty
+hair ribbon.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis gathered the clothes
+together, but she was not happy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I know you are tired, dear,
+but I am tired too, and we must
+do things right, even if we are
+tired.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now I must show you how to
+wash, and brush your teeth, and
+then have you say your prayers,
+before I can leave you.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_37' name='page_37'></a>37</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh bother!&#8221; sighed Clematis.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, we mustn&#8217;t say words like
+that. Come now, we will get
+washed.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Miss Rose poured some water
+from the pitcher, and made Clematis
+wash her hands, and arms, and
+face, carefully. Then she took a
+toothbrush from a box and gave
+it to her.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What is this for?&#8221; asked
+Clematis.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why dear,&#8221; answered Miss
+Rose in surprise, &#8220;that is a tooth
+brush.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;A tooth brush! Why, there
+is no hair on my teeth.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Miss Rose laughed. &#8220;No dear,
+perhaps not, but we must brush
+them carefully each night with
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_38' name='page_38'></a>38</span>
+water, or they will soon be
+aching.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Will that stop teeth from
+aching?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes indeed, it will help very
+much to keep them from aching.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right, then.&#8221; Clematis
+began to brush her teeth. &#8220;My
+teeth ached last week. I nearly
+died,&#8221; she answered.</p>
+<p>The teeth were cleaned, and
+Clematis was ready for bed.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now dear, let us say our
+prayers.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know any prayers.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Miss Rose looked at Clematis
+in pity. &#8220;Don&#8217;t you really know
+any prayers at all?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Would you know any prayers
+if you had never learned any?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_39' name='page_39'></a>39</span></p>
+<p>Miss Rose smiled sadly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, then,&#8221; she said, &#8220;we
+will learn the Lord&#8217;s Prayer, and
+then you will know the most
+beautiful prayer of all.&#8221;</p>
+<p>They knelt down together, and
+Clematis said over the words after
+Miss Rose.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now good night, dear, and
+pleasant dreams,&#8221; said Miss Rose,
+as she tucked her in.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Good night,&#8221; said Clematis.</p>
+<p>The door closed, and all was
+dark.</p>
+<p>The maple trees swayed gently
+outside the window.</p>
+<p>They nodded to Clematis, as
+she watched them with sleepy eyes.</p>
+<p>One little star peeped in at her
+through the maple tree.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='WHO_IS_CLEMATIS' id='WHO_IS_CLEMATIS'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_41' name='page_41'></a>41</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2>
+<h3>WHO IS CLEMATIS?</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>The bright sun was shining on
+the red buds of the maple tree
+when Clematis woke the next
+morning.</p>
+<p>It was early. The rising bell had
+not rung. Clematis got up and
+looked out of the open window.</p>
+<p>She could see nothing but
+houses across the street, but the
+buds of the maple were beautiful
+in the sun.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wish I had some of those
+buds to put in my room,&#8221; said
+Clematis to herself.</p>
+<p>She took her clothes, and began
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_42' name='page_42'></a>42</span>
+to dress. While she was dressing,
+she looked again at the maple buds,
+and wanted them more than ever.</p>
+<p>&#8220;If I reached out a little way,
+I could get some of those, I just
+know I could,&#8221; she thought.</p>
+<p>As soon as she got her shoes on
+she pushed the window wide open.</p>
+<p>She leaned out. Some beautiful
+buds were very near, but she
+could not quite reach them.</p>
+<p>She leaned out a little farther.
+Then she climbed upon the window
+sill.</p>
+<p>They were still out of her reach.</p>
+<p>For a minute she stopped. Then
+she put one foot out in the
+gutter. With one hand she held
+the blind, and reached out to the
+nearest branch.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_43' name='page_43'></a>43</span></p>
+<p>At last she had it. She drew
+it nearer, and broke off a piece
+with many buds.</p>
+<p>As the piece broke off, the
+branch flew back again to its place,
+and Clematis almost fell back
+through the window to the floor.</p>
+<p>She patted the red buds and
+made a little bunch of them. She
+filled her cup with water and put
+the buds in it; then she put it on
+the bureau.</p>
+<p>Clematis was looking proudly
+at them, when the door opened,
+and Miss Rose came in.</p>
+<p>She looked at Clematis, and
+then at the buds.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, Clematis!&#8221; she said.</p>
+<p>Then she looked out the window.
+There, several feet beyond
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_44' name='page_44'></a>44</span>
+the window, was the broken end.
+Drops of sap were running from
+the white wood.</p>
+<p>&#8220;How did you get those buds?&#8221;
+asked Miss Rose.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I reached out of the window,&#8221;
+said Clematis, &#8220;why, was that
+stealing?&#8221;</p>
+<p>Miss Rose gasped.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Clematis, do you mean to tell
+me that you climbed out of the window
+and reached for that branch?&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis nodded. Tears came
+into her eyes. She must have
+done something very wrong, but
+she did not know just what was
+so wicked about taking a small
+branch from a maple tree.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I didn&#8217;t know it was stealing,&#8221;
+she sobbed.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_45' name='page_45'></a>45</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;It isn&#8217;t that, Clematis. It is
+not wrong to take a twig, but
+think of the danger. Don&#8217;t you
+know you might have fallen and
+killed yourself?&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis wiped her eyes on her
+sleeve.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, that&#8217;s nothing,&#8221; she said,
+&#8220;I had hold of the blind all the
+time. I couldn&#8217;t fall.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, Clematis, no child ever
+did such a thing before, and you
+must never, never, do it again.
+Do you understand?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes&#8217;m.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you promise?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes&#8217;m.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well then, let&#8217;s get ready for
+breakfast.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis washed her face and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_46' name='page_46'></a>46</span>
+hands, brushed her hair, and
+cleaned her teeth carefully.</p>
+<p>Soon she was ready to go down
+stairs, and took one of the maple
+buds to put in her dress.</p>
+<p>As they went out, Miss Rose
+saw that she wanted to say something.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you want something?&#8221;
+she said.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Can I help Katie this morning?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;After breakfast I will ask
+Mrs. Snow, but breakfast is
+almost ready now.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Just then the breakfast bell
+rang, and Clematis marched in
+with the other children. She was
+thinking about Deborah, and wondering
+if she had caught any rats.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_47' name='page_47'></a>47</span></p>
+<p>For breakfast they had baked
+apples, oatmeal with milk, and
+rye gems.</p>
+<p>It did not take them long
+to eat this. Soon they were
+through, and ready for the morning
+work.</p>
+<p>As they were getting up, Mrs.
+Snow came to speak to Miss Rose.</p>
+<p>Clematis held her breath when
+she heard what was said.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps this little girl would
+like to go down and play with
+her kitten a while. We can find
+some work for her by and by.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh yes,&#8221; said Clematis, &#8220;I
+would.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you can tell Katie I
+said you might. Be sure not to
+get in her way.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_48' name='page_48'></a>48</span></p>
+<p>Off ran Clematis to the kitchen,
+to find her dear Deborah.</p>
+<p>There she was, curled up like a
+little ball under the stove.</p>
+<p>She looked with sleepy eyes at
+Clematis, and crawled down into
+her lap.</p>
+<p>Then Clematis smoothed her
+and patted her, till she purred her
+very sweetest purr.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ah,&#8221; said Katie. &#8220;It&#8217;s a fine
+cat. It caught a big rat in the
+night, and brought it in, as proud
+as pie.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you think they will let me
+keep her?&#8221; asked Clematis.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I guess so. If she catches
+the rats, she will be welcome here.
+You can be sure of that. I hate
+rats.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_49' name='page_49'></a>49</span></p>
+<p>While Clematis and Deborah
+were having such a good time in
+the kitchen, Mrs. Snow took Miss
+Rose to her room.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, Miss Rose, have you
+found out anything about that
+strange little child?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not very much yet. She
+talks very little, and has had very
+little care.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;What makes you think so?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, the poor child didn&#8217;t
+know what a tooth brush was for.
+She said she always left her clothes
+in a pile by the bed, because she
+could find them all in the morning.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Mrs. Snow sighed.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Dear me, she will need much
+care, to teach her how to do things
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_50' name='page_50'></a>50</span>
+well. But I guess her folks will
+come for her before long.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know who her folks
+can be. She has never learned
+any prayers.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Poor child, she must be a sad
+case.&#8221; Mrs. Snow sighed again.</p>
+<p>&#8220;But she is very fearless. This
+morning, before I went to her
+room, she had climbed out of the
+window and broken off a piece
+of the maple tree with buds on
+it.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;What, way up there at the
+roof?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, she said that was nothing,
+for she had hold of the blind.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;What did she want the branch
+for?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;She wanted it for the red
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_51' name='page_51'></a>51</span>
+buds. She broke them off and
+put them in her cup, like flowers.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, Miss Rose, take her
+out to walk this afternoon, and
+ask her some questions. Perhaps
+you can find out where she lives.&#8221;</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='CLEMATIS_BEGINS_TO_LEARN' id='CLEMATIS_BEGINS_TO_LEARN'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_52' name='page_52'></a>52</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER V</h2>
+<h3>CLEMATIS BEGINS TO LEARN</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Clematis played with Deborah
+all the morning. She forgot
+about helping Katie, and when
+Katie asked her if she wanted
+to help her peel some potatoes,
+she said:</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know how.&#8221;</p>
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<img src='images/i14.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 292px; height: 460px;' /><br />
+<p class='caption' style='margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;width: 292px;'>
+&#8220;Didn&#8217;t you ever peel potatoes?&#8221;<br />
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;Didn&#8217;t you ever peel potatoes?&#8221;
+asked Katie.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, I never had to do any
+work.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you will have to be
+doing some work round here. It&#8217;s
+lucky for you that Mrs. Snow is
+good to little girls. You would
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_53' name='page_53'></a>53</span>
+have a hard row to hoe in some
+homes, believe me.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis was busy tying her
+hair ribbon round Deborah&#8217;s neck,
+and did not answer.</p>
+<p>The morning went fast, and
+the dinner was ready before Clematis
+was ready to leave her kitten.</p>
+<p>For dinner they had soup, in
+the little yellow bowls, with a big
+piece of Johnny cake, and some
+ginger bread.</p>
+<p>As soon as dinner was over,
+Miss Rose brought Clematis a
+brown coat.</p>
+<p>It was not new, but it was
+neat and warm, much better than
+the one she had worn the day
+before.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come, Clematis,&#8221; she said,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_54' name='page_54'></a>54</span>
+&#8220;I am going out to walk. Don&#8217;t
+you want to go with me?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where are you going?&#8221; asked
+Clematis, shrinking back.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, out in the park, and
+down by the river. I think you
+will like it.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis put on the coat as
+quickly as she could. Then she
+took Miss Rose by the hand.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come on, let&#8217;s go,&#8221; she said.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You might wait till I get my
+coat and hat on.&#8221; Miss Rose was
+laughing at her.</p>
+<p>Soon they were down by the
+river. Miss Rose sat on the
+gravel, while Clematis ran along
+the edge of the water.</p>
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_55' name='page_55'></a>55</span></div>
+<p>She sailed bits of wood for
+boats, and threw little stones in,
+to see the rings they made. She
+was very, very happy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Clematis,&#8221; said Miss Rose,
+&#8220;don&#8217;t you remember the street
+you lived on?&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis thought a minute.</p>
+<p>&#8220;How would you know the
+street you lived on if nobody ever
+told you?&#8221;</p>
+<p>Miss Rose thought a moment.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t you remember your
+mother&#8217;s name?&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis shook her head.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t remember. It was a
+long time ago.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you mean she died a long
+time ago?&#8221;</p>
+<p>Miss Rose asked her some
+other questions. At last she
+said:
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_56' name='page_56'></a>56</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, tell me the name of the
+man you lived with.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;His name was Smith.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh dear, there are so many
+Smiths, we shall never guess the
+right one. Dear me, Clematis.
+I don&#8217;t know how we shall ever
+find your home.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis threw a big stone into
+the water, which made a big
+splash.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I hope you never will,&#8221; she
+said.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, Clematis! Do you mean
+that you wish never to go back
+where you came from?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, how would you like to
+live in a place where you had to
+stay in an old brick yard all day,
+and never saw even grass?&#8221;</p>
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<img src='images/i04.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 304px; height: 461px;' /><br />
+<p class='caption' style='margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;width: 304px;'>
+Thinking of the land of flowers<br />
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_57' name='page_57'></a>57</span></div>
+<p>Miss Rose thought a while.
+Then she got up and started back
+to the Home.</p>
+<p>Clematis followed her slowly.
+She was sorry to go.</p>
+<p>That night Mrs. Snow talked
+with Miss Rose again.</p>
+<p>&#8220;She must have lived in the
+city,&#8221; said Miss Rose. &#8220;She had
+to stay in a yard paved with
+bricks all day. She doesn&#8217;t remember
+her parents at all. She ran
+away, that is sure.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I hardly know what to do,&#8221;
+said Mrs. Snow, at last. &#8220;She
+can stay here for a while, and
+perhaps the people she lived with
+will find her here.&#8221;</p>
+<p>So Mrs. Snow told the policeman
+what they had found out,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_58' name='page_58'></a>58</span>
+and he said they would do the
+best they could to find her people.</p>
+<p>That night Clematis did not go
+to the little room near the maple
+tree to sleep. She went into the
+big room.</p>
+<p>Jane slept in the bed next to
+hers. Miss Rose told her to see
+that Clematis had what help she
+needed in going to bed.</p>
+<p>The day had been a busy one
+for Clematis. She was very
+sleepy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I guess I won&#8217;t bother with
+teeth and things tonight,&#8221; she
+said to herself.</p>
+<p>So she pulled off her clothes,
+and got into bed.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh Clematis, you can&#8217;t do
+that. You&#8217;ve got to pick up your
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_59' name='page_59'></a>59</span>
+clothes, and clean your teeth, and
+do lots of things.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Jane came and shook her, as
+she snuggled under the clothes.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I&#8217;m too tired tonight.
+I&#8217;ll do it tomorrow night.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis did not stir.</p>
+<p>Just then Miss Rose came into
+the sleeping room.</p>
+<p>She saw Jane trying to get
+Clematis out of bed. She also
+saw the pile of clothes.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Clematis, I can&#8217;t have this.
+Get right out of bed, and do as I
+told you last night.&#8221;</p>
+<p>She wanted children to obey
+her, and she had tried to be very
+kind to Clematis.</p>
+<p>The other children giggled, as
+Clematis got slowly out of bed.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_60' name='page_60'></a>60</span></p>
+<p>But Miss Rose frowned at them.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You see that she does every
+single thing she ought,&#8221; said Miss
+Rose to Jane, &#8220;and if she doesn&#8217;t,
+you tell me.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Then Miss Rose went away,
+and left the girls to get ready for
+bed.</p>
+<p>Poor Clematis had a hard time
+of it. The other girls made fun
+of her, because she was so clumsy
+and slow. At last she got her
+clothes folded up, and went to
+wash.</p>
+<p>&#8220;She isn&#8217;t washing her neck
+and ears,&#8221; said Jane to herself,
+&#8220;but I guess I won&#8217;t tell.&#8221;</p>
+<p>So at last Clematis got into bed
+again, and went to sleep.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='CLEMATIS_HAS_A_HARD_ROW_TO_HOE' id='CLEMATIS_HAS_A_HARD_ROW_TO_HOE'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_61' name='page_61'></a>61</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2>
+<h3>CLEMATIS HAS A HARD ROW TO HOE</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>It was all Jane could do the
+next morning to make Clematis
+get up when the rising bell rang.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t want to get up yet,&#8221;
+grumbled Clematis. &#8220;I will get
+up pretty soon.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;No you won&#8217;t either. You&#8217;ll
+get up right off now. We have
+to be ready for breakfast in fifteen
+minutes.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Jane pulled down the clothes,
+while the other girls laughed.
+Poor Clematis had to get up.</p>
+<p>At first she was cross, but when
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_62' name='page_62'></a>62</span>
+she looked out of the window, she
+smiled.</p>
+<p>From this window she could see
+way off to a beautiful hill, golden
+brown in the morning sun.</p>
+<p>Part way to the hill was a
+river. Its little waves shimmered
+and danced. Its shores were quite
+green already.</p>
+<p>Now Clematis was wide awake
+and happy. She started to dress.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Wash first,&#8221; said Jane.</p>
+<p>Clematis started to grumble
+again, but when she looked into
+the mirror above the wash stand,
+there was the river, smiling at her
+in the mirror.</p>
+<p>She knew this river. She had
+been there. Perhaps she would
+go again some day.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_63' name='page_63'></a>63</span></p>
+<p>For breakfast they had a bowl
+of oatmeal and milk, with two
+slices of bread.</p>
+<p>Clematis looked around while
+they were eating.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t you ever get a cup of
+coffee for breakfast?&#8221; she asked
+of Sally, who sat next to her.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, no, never, but sometimes
+we have cocoa, on real cold mornings.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis turned up her nose a
+little. She did not care much for
+oatmeal.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I like doughnuts and coffee a
+great deal better,&#8221; she said.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Huh, you won&#8217;t have any
+doughnuts and coffee round here,&#8221;
+said Jane. &#8220;You&#8217;d better eat
+what you have.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_64' name='page_64'></a>64</span></p>
+<p>Clematis took her advice, and
+had just finished her bread, when
+the bell sounded.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, Clematis,&#8221; said Miss
+Rose, &#8220;you are going to stay
+here for a while anyway, so you
+must take your part in the daily
+work.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes&#8217;m.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think you said yesterday you
+would like to help Katie in the
+kitchen.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, yes&#8217;m,&#8221; said Clematis.
+She had been thinking of Deborah
+and longing to see her.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, let&#8217;s go down and see
+what Katie can find for you to
+do.&#8221;</p>
+<p>There was Deborah, sleeping
+under the edge of the stove.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_65' name='page_65'></a>65</span>
+Clematis took her while Miss Rose
+was asking Katie.</p>
+<p>&#8220;This little girl thinks she
+would like to have some work
+down here in the kitchen, Katie.
+Is there anything you would like
+her to do?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ah, no thank you, Miss
+Rose, she wouldn&#8217;t be any use at
+all.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis looked up. She did
+not feel very happy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, don&#8217;t you think she
+could help you?&#8221; Miss Rose
+looked surprised.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No miss, she is no use at all.
+Yesterday I asked her to peel
+some potatoes, but she never
+lifted a finger. She said she
+didn&#8217;t know how.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_66' name='page_66'></a>66</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, Clematis, I am surprised.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well,&#8221; said Clematis, &#8220;if you
+never learned to peel potatoes,
+would you know how to do it?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I think I should. Katie
+would have shown you, if you
+had been willing to try.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis hung her head, and
+buried her face in Deborah&#8217;s soft
+fur.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You see, miss, she&#8217;s of no use
+to me. She don&#8217;t want to work
+at all. Her cat, now, is a worker.
+She caught a big rat in the
+night.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well then, Clematis, we shall
+have to ask Mrs. Snow to find
+you something else to do.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis dropped her kitten,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_67' name='page_67'></a>67</span>
+and the tears ran down her
+cheeks, as she followed Miss Rose
+upstairs.</p>
+<p>Katie looked after her with a
+sad smile.</p>
+<p>&#8220;She&#8217;ll have a hard row to hoe
+round here, believe me,&#8221; she said
+to herself.</p>
+<p>Mrs. Snow frowned when Miss
+Rose told her.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am very sorry,&#8221; she said.
+&#8220;She may work with Jane, then,
+in the dormitory. Jane is a good
+worker and can teach her.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Poor Clematis was rather
+frightened when she heard that
+she was to work in the dormitory.
+She was afraid a dormitory was
+some dark place like a prison.
+She did not know that the dormitory
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_68' name='page_68'></a>68</span>
+was the big room where
+she had slept.</p>
+<p>Soon Clematis was back in the
+big room again. There she took the
+place of another little girl, who
+was making up the beds with Jane.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hurry up now,&#8221; said Jane.
+&#8220;We have got to get these beds
+all made up before nine o&#8217;clock.
+School begins then.&#8221;</p>
+<p>She showed Clematis how to
+tuck the sheet in, down at the
+foot, and pull it up smooth at
+the head of the bed.</p>
+<p>Clematis was looking out of
+the window, way over the river,
+to the sunny brown hill.</p>
+<p>&#8220;There now. Why don&#8217;t you
+look out?&#8221; said Jane. For Clematis
+had given such a pull that
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_69' name='page_69'></a>69</span>
+she pulled all the clothes out at
+the foot of the bed.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I was looking out, so there,&#8221;
+said Clematis.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, looking out of the window,
+that&#8217;s all.&#8221; Jane was vexed.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now hurry up and get them
+tucked in again.&#8221;</p>
+<p>But Clematis was very clumsy,
+and not very willing. She had
+never had to make beds before.
+She didn&#8217;t see any need of it.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why can&#8217;t you leave the
+blankets till you go to bed, and
+then just pull them up?&#8221; she said,
+pouting.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Because you can&#8217;t, that&#8217;s why.
+And you&#8217;d better try, or you&#8217;ll
+never get a chance to go to the
+country.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_70' name='page_70'></a>70</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;What do you mean? Who
+goes to the country?&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis came round the bed
+and took Jane by the arm.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, most of the children
+who do well, or try hard to do
+well, go to the country for two
+weeks in the summer.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;To the country where the
+flowers grow, and where there is
+grass all around?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Sure, and where they give you
+milk and apple pie. Oh, apple
+pie even for breakfast, and doughnuts
+between meals. I had doughnuts
+every day.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Crickety!&#8221; said Clematis.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;d better not let Miss Rose
+hear you say that, and you needn&#8217;t
+worry. You won&#8217;t go to any
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_71' name='page_71'></a>71</span>
+country, when you can&#8217;t even
+make beds.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis gave Jane a frightened
+look, and started to work the best
+she knew how.</p>
+<p>But the best Clematis knew
+how was very poor work, and by
+the time the bell rang for school,
+one bed still had to be done.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Let it alone,&#8221; said Jane. &#8220;I
+can make it up faster myself.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Her hands and feet moved fast
+enough to surprise little Clematis,
+who followed her friend down to
+the school room, wondering how
+long it would take her to learn to
+make beds.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='WHAT_CLEMATIS_FOUND' id='WHAT_CLEMATIS_FOUND'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_72' name='page_72'></a>72</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2>
+<h3>WHAT CLEMATIS FOUND</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>School began with music, and
+Miss Rose went to the piano.
+The minute she began to play,
+Clematis stood up, and stared at
+her.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Sit down. Don&#8217;t stand up
+now.&#8221; Jane pulled her sleeve.</p>
+<p>But Clematis paid no attention.
+She kept her eyes on the piano,
+and seemed to hear nothing else.</p>
+<p>The song was of Spring; of
+birds, and brooks, and flowers.
+Clematis listened to every word,
+and when it was finished she sat
+down with a sigh.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_73' name='page_73'></a>73</span></p>
+<p>After the singing, they had a
+class in reading.</p>
+<p>Clematis stared at the words
+on the blackboard, but could not
+tell any of them.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Have you learned any of your
+letters?&#8221; asked Miss Rose.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No&#8217;m,&#8221; said Clematis.</p>
+<p>The other children giggled, for
+Clematis was as large as Jane.
+Jane was eight, and could read
+very well.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Tomorrow you must go into
+the special class, and you must
+work hard, and catch up as fast
+as you can.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes&#8217;m.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis was angry. She didn&#8217;t
+like to be laughed at.</p>
+<p>At recess, all the children ran
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_74' name='page_74'></a>74</span>
+out into the yard to play. It was
+a large yard, with a high wooden
+fence around it.</p>
+<p>Glad to be free, Jane ran off to
+find some chums, and left Clematis
+to play by herself.</p>
+<p>So Clematis wandered round by
+the fence till she came to a sunny
+spot, near the big maple tree with
+the red buds.</p>
+<p>Here she picked up a dead twig
+and sat down, turning over the
+dried leaves with the twig, and
+throwing them in the air.</p>
+<p>As she picked up the leaves,
+she saw some blades of grass
+beneath them.</p>
+<p>Then she picked up more leaves,
+and found many blades of grass
+growing beneath their warm shelter.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_75' name='page_75'></a>75</span></p>
+<p>Clematis got up and walked
+near the fence, where the leaves
+were thicker. There she poked
+them away, and found longer
+blades of grass, and new leaves,
+green and shiny.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh,&#8221; she said to herself, &#8220;I
+hope I can come out here every
+day.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Then she stopped. She pushed
+away some more leaves. She
+looked around at the other children.</p>
+<p>None of them were looking at
+her.</p>
+<p>She stooped, and took something
+from under the pile of leaves.</p>
+<p>Again she looked about, but
+nobody was paying attention to
+her. All the children were playing
+games.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_76' name='page_76'></a>76</span></p>
+<p>Then a sound made her look
+up. It was the bell. Recess was
+over, and all the children were
+going in.</p>
+<p>Clematis put her hand into her
+apron pocket quickly, and followed
+the other children back to
+school.</p>
+<p>&#8220;How has the new girl done
+today?&#8221; asked Mrs. Snow, just
+before they sat down to dinner.</p>
+<p>&#8220;She seems to feel more at
+home,&#8221; replied Miss Rose. &#8220;She
+doesn&#8217;t know her letters yet. I
+guess she has grown up all by
+herself.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That is too bad. I will give her
+a test this afternoon, about three.
+If she would like to play with
+her kitten in the playroom for an
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_77' name='page_77'></a>77</span>
+hour, after dinner, she may do
+so.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I am sure she would be
+glad to see her kitten. She is a
+queer child. At recess she stole
+away all by herself, to play by
+the fence.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The children were coming in
+now, and Mrs. Snow nodded to
+Miss Rose, as she went to her
+chair.</p>
+<p>Little Sally had been just behind
+Miss Rose as she said the
+last words to Mrs. Snow. She
+heard part of the words she said,
+and began to whisper to her
+neighbor.</p>
+<p>&#8220;She said somebody stole something.
+It must be that new girl.
+See how queer she looks.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_78' name='page_78'></a>78</span></p>
+<p>Then of course the neighbor had
+to whisper to the girl next to her.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you know what it was the
+new girl stole? See how funny
+she looks. She&#8217;d better not steal
+anything of mine.&#8221;</p>
+<p>In a minute Clematis knew
+they were talking about her. She
+didn&#8217;t know what it was, but she
+knew it was unkind.</p>
+<p>They were looking at her, and
+talking to each other. Her face
+turned red. She could not eat.
+One hand went deep into her apron
+pocket.</p>
+<p>Miss Rose quickly saw that
+something was wrong. She knew
+that little girls often made fun of
+the strangers, and it vexed her.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Any little girl who is not
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_79' name='page_79'></a>79</span>
+polite,&#8221; she said, &#8220;may leave the
+table at once.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The girls stopped talking, but
+they poked each other with their
+feet under the table. They were
+sure Clematis had stolen something,
+for she looked just as if
+she had.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come, Clematis, eat your
+dinner now.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes&#8217;m,&#8221; said Clematis. But
+it was hard to swallow the bread.</p>
+<p>She drank the soup, and left
+most of the bread by her bowl.</p>
+<p>As soon as the bell rang, Miss
+Rose beckoned to her.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Would you like to take Deborah
+to the playroom for a while,
+and play with her there?&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis looked very much surprised.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_80' name='page_80'></a>80</span>
+She had expected some
+new trouble.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, yes&#8217;m,&#8221; she gasped, and
+started down to the kitchen, glad
+to get away from the other girls,
+who had been watching.</p>
+<p>Then Miss Rose beckoned to
+Jane.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Jane, what were the girls
+saying about Clematis at the
+table?&#8221;</p>
+<p>Jane hung her head. She did
+not like to repeat such awful
+things about Clematis, for she
+really liked her, though it was
+hard to teach her to work.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Tell me, Jane. Miss Rose
+wants to know.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;The girls were saying she
+stole something.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_81' name='page_81'></a>81</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Stole something? Why, what
+did she steal, Jane?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know. I just heard
+them saying she had stolen something.
+She looked just as if she
+had.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Very well. Thank you, Jane.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Jane went down to the school
+room, where all the girls were
+eager to know what Clematis had
+stolen. But Jane could tell them
+nothing.</p>
+<p>&#8220;She just asked me what you
+said,&#8221; Jane declared.</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s just like Jane,&#8221; cried
+Sally. &#8220;She knows all the time,
+only she won&#8217;t tell.&#8221;</p>
+<p>While they were talking, Clematis
+was finding a cosy corner in
+the playroom, and smoothing out
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_82' name='page_82'></a>82</span>
+every hair on Deborah&#8217;s smooth
+back.</p>
+<p>Deborah seemed very happy,
+and purred all the time.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t care if they do say
+mean things, and make noses at
+me. You won&#8217;t ever, will you,
+Debby?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Purr, purr, purr,&#8221; said Deborah.
+No indeed, she never would.</p>
+<p>Time went fast, and it was
+three o&#8217;clock before Clematis had
+got Deborah settled down for
+sleep in a little bed she made for
+her beneath the window.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Take her downstairs now,
+Clematis,&#8221; said Miss Rose, coming
+in. &#8220;Then come up to Mrs.
+Snow&#8217;s room. We want to ask
+you some questions.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_83' name='page_83'></a>83</span></p>
+<p>Again Clematis turned red.
+She went slowly downstairs, with
+Deborah under one arm. The
+other hand deep in her apron
+pocket.</p>
+<p>&#8220;She surely looks as if something
+were wrong,&#8221; thought Miss
+Rose, as Clematis disappeared.</p>
+<p>Clematis looked very unhappy
+when she went to Mrs. Snow&#8217;s
+room.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come in, little girl,&#8221; said
+Mrs. Snow, kindly. &#8220;There are
+some things I want to ask you
+about.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes&#8217;m,&#8221; replied Clematis, her
+lips quivering.</p>
+<p>&#8220;First, I want to know what
+all this talk is about. Some of
+the girls were saying that you
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_84' name='page_84'></a>84</span>
+took something which did not
+belong to you. Can that be
+true?&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis hung her head. The
+tears came into her eyes.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t cry, Clematis,&#8221; said
+Miss Rose. &#8220;Just tell Mrs. Snow
+what it is, and perhaps we can
+make it all right again.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;What was it, little girl?&#8221;
+asked Mrs. Snow, as she drew
+her nearer.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It was mine, I found it first,&#8221;
+sobbed Clematis.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, but you must remember
+that if we find a thing, that does
+not make it ours. We must find
+the true owner, and give it back.
+That is the only honest thing to
+do.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_85' name='page_85'></a>85</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;What was it you found?&#8221;
+asked Miss Rose.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t kn-ow.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where did you find it?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do-wn by the fe-ence.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where is it now, Clematis?&#8221;
+Mrs. Snow spoke kindly, as she
+wiped the child&#8217;s face with her
+handkerchief.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s in my pocket,&#8221; answered
+Clematis.</p>
+<p>She drew out her closed hand,
+held it before the two ladies, and
+slowly opened it.</p>
+<p>Within lay a limp, withered
+dandelion blossom.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='A_VISITOR' id='A_VISITOR'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_86' name='page_86'></a>86</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2>
+<h3>A VISITOR</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Mrs. Snow still tells the story
+of how Clematis stole the first
+dandelion of the springtime, out
+under the leaves.</p>
+<p>People laugh when they hear
+the story. You see, it all came
+about because the children told
+tales on each other, and it was
+a good joke on them.</p>
+<p>But as Clematis stood there, before
+Mrs. Snow and Miss Rose, she
+didn&#8217;t see the joke at all. She cried,
+and hid her face in her arms.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come here, dear,&#8221; said Mrs.
+Snow. &#8220;It is all right, and you
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_87' name='page_87'></a>87</span>
+shall have every dandelion you
+find in the yard.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Wasn&#8217;t it stealing?&#8221; sobbed
+Clematis.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, it was all right, if you
+found it first.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And can I have all I find
+first?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, indeed you can.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis lifted her head, and
+wiped the tears from her eyes.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh,&#8221; she said, and seemed
+happy once more. She smoothed
+the limp little flower in her hot
+hand.</p>
+<p>&#8220;And now,&#8221; said Mrs. Snow,
+&#8220;I wonder if you can tell us some
+more about yourself.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes&#8217;m, I&#8217;ll tell you all you
+ask, and I won&#8217;t tell any lies.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_88' name='page_88'></a>88</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m sure you won&#8217;t. Perhaps
+you can remember, now, where
+you lived before you came here.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis shook her head. &#8220;I told
+Miss Rose every single thing,&#8221; she
+said, &#8220;except&mdash;&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Except what?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Except that I ran away.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis hung her head again.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why did you run away?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, wouldn&#8217;t you run away,
+if you had to stay in a yard all
+day that was nothing but bricks?&#8221;</p>
+<p>Mrs. Snow smiled. &#8220;Perhaps
+I would,&#8221; she replied.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Didn&#8217;t you ever go out at
+all?&#8221; asked Miss Rose, who had
+been listening.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Just sometimes, to go over to
+the store. Just across the street
+and back, and that was all bricks,
+too.&#8221;</p>
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<img src='images/i05.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 305px; height: 459px;' /><br />
+<p class='caption' style='margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;width: 305px;'>
+Clematis held out her hand<br />
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_89' name='page_89'></a>89</span></div>
+<p>&#8220;Do you think you could find
+your way home again, if Miss
+Rose went with you?&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis shook her head. &#8220;Oh,
+no. It was a long, long way. I
+was most dead from walking.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Mrs. Snow thought a moment.
+Then she said, &#8220;Miss Rose tells
+me that you have not learned to
+read. Is that true?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes&#8217;m, I never learned to do
+anything except count the change
+I got. But I can learn to read,
+and do numbers, too.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis spoke without sobbing
+now. She was thinking of the
+country, where girls went who
+did well.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_90' name='page_90'></a>90</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you think you could take
+her in a class by herself for a
+short time?&#8221; Mrs. Snow asked,
+turning to Miss Rose.</p>
+<p>Miss Rose was about to answer,
+when one of the older girls came
+to the door.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What is it, Ruth?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Please, Mrs. Snow, a man
+wants to see you.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;What is his name?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;His name is Smith. He
+wants to see you about a little
+girl.&#8221;</p>
+<p>As she said this, Miss Rose
+looked up quickly.</p>
+<p>Clematis also looked up. Her
+face turned red, and she put a
+finger in her mouth.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Tell him to come in here.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_91' name='page_91'></a>91</span></p>
+<p>In another minute a small,
+thin man walked in.</p>
+<p>He was poorly dressed, and
+looked as if he had been ill.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did you wish to see me about
+one of the children?&#8221; asked Mrs.
+Snow.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, marm, about this little
+girl right here.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The man turned and smiled at
+Clematis, who was standing close
+by Miss Rose.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hello, Clematis, I thought I
+should find you somewhere.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis smiled too, but she
+did not speak.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh,&#8221; said Mrs. Snow, &#8220;are
+you the one who took care of this
+little girl?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, marm. I&#8217;ve had her
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_92' name='page_92'></a>92</span>
+ever since she was a little
+baby.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Mrs. Snow thought a minute.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I suppose you want to take
+her home with you.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know about that. I
+have no home to keep a child in,
+and do right by her. You see, my
+wife is sick most of the time.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t you know any of her
+folks who could care for her?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, marm. Her mother came
+to our house when Clematis was
+a tiny baby. She said the father
+was dead. Then she died too,
+and we could never find out who
+she was.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you know her last name?&#8221;
+asked Miss Rose.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, miss. We never knew
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_93' name='page_93'></a>93</span>
+her last name. She said it was
+Jones, but we never believed that
+was the truth. This little girl we
+just called Clematis.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Didn&#8217;t she have anything to
+help you find out who she was?&#8221;
+asked Mrs. Snow in surprise.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not a single thing, except this
+picture.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The man took out a small
+photograph.</p>
+<p>It showed three girls standing
+together in front of a brick building.</p>
+<p>&#8220;That is her mother on the
+left, marm, but I don&#8217;t see how
+the picture helps very much.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That is true. Still, the picture
+is better than nothing.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That is just what we thought,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_94' name='page_94'></a>94</span>
+marm,&#8221; Mr. Smith replied. &#8220;We
+kept her along, hoping we should
+find some one to claim her, but no
+one came. She is too big for us
+to care for now.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then you are ready to give
+her up?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, marm, if you will care
+for her. She is very restless, and
+always wanting to run off.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Mrs. Snow turned to Clematis.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you think you would
+rather stay here, than go back with
+Mr. Smith?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes&#8217;m,&#8221; said Clematis,
+quickly. She had been thinking
+of the visits to the country. If
+she went back to the yard, all
+made of bricks, how would she
+ever see the grass and flowers?
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_95' name='page_95'></a>95</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Very well, Mr. Smith. I
+think you have done a good deal
+to keep her as long as you have.
+She was well fed, even if she
+didn&#8217;t learn much.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Thank you, marm.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Then Miss Rose took Clematis
+out of the office, while Mrs. Snow
+talked with Mr. Smith.</p>
+<p>All the afternoon Clematis
+wondered what they were going
+to do with her.</p>
+<p>After supper Miss Rose called
+to her, as the children were going
+to the playroom.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Clematis,&#8221; she said, &#8220;do you
+think that if you stayed here you
+could work real hard, and learn to
+do as the other children do?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes&#8217;m.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_96' name='page_96'></a>96</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Very well. Mrs. Snow finds
+that we can keep you here. I will
+try to teach you myself, so you
+can catch up with the other children.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes&#8217;m,&#8221; said Clematis.</p>
+<p>That is all she said, but she
+was so glad, that she could not
+sleep for a long time after she
+went to bed.</p>
+<p>She lay awake thinking, and
+thinking, of the things she would
+learn to do, so she might go at
+last to the country, the land of
+flowers, and grass, and birds; the
+land where white clouds floated
+always in a blue, blue sky.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='THE_SECRET' id='THE_SECRET'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_97' name='page_97'></a>97</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2>
+<h3>THE SECRET</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>The next morning Clematis did
+better in helping Jane with the
+beds, and before many mornings
+had passed she learned so well
+that Miss Rose praised her for her
+work.</p>
+<p>When she wanted to stop trying,
+and wanted to get up without
+washing her face and hands, and
+cleaning her teeth, she would look
+out the window at the hill beyond
+the river.</p>
+<p>It seemed to smile at her and
+say:</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t forget the beautiful
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_98' name='page_98'></a>98</span>
+country, little girl. Remember
+the birds and the flowers. Do
+the best you can.&#8221;</p>
+<p>But there were so many things
+to do that it seemed to poor
+Clematis as if she would never
+learn half of them.</p>
+<p>When she tried to help in setting
+the table, she dropped some
+plates.</p>
+<p>She said things that made the
+other girls cross, for she had
+never learned to play with other
+girls, and she forgot that she
+could no longer do just as she
+pleased.</p>
+<p>Worst of all, she did not always
+pay attention to study, and when
+Miss Rose left her to do some
+numbers, would be looking out of
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_99' name='page_99'></a>99</span>
+the window, instead of working
+on her paper.</p>
+<p>So the days went on, and spring
+was almost over.</p>
+<p>The dandelions had all blossomed
+and grown up tall, with
+white caps on their heads, and
+there were no other flowers in
+the yard.</p>
+<p>One day Clematis found something
+which made her almost as
+happy as if she had found some
+flowers.</p>
+<p>At first she thought she would
+keep it a secret, and tell no one
+about it. Then she thought how
+good Jane had been to her, so
+she went up to her when she was
+standing alone.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Say, Jane, if I tell you a
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_100' name='page_100'></a>100</span>
+secret will you promise not to tell
+anybody else?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Sure, I&#8217;ll promise,&#8221; said Jane.
+&#8220;What is it?&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis looked around. The
+other children were playing games.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come over here,&#8221; she said.</p>
+<p>She led Jane to the big board
+fence which stood at the back of
+the yard.</p>
+<p>Then she got down on her
+knees and took hold of one of
+the boards. It was loose, and she
+could pull it out.</p>
+<p>&#8220;See, look through there,&#8221; said
+Clematis, in a low voice.</p>
+<p>Her face shone with pleasure
+as she peeped through.</p>
+<p>Jane knelt down, and peeped
+through too. Beyond the fence
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_101' name='page_101'></a>101</span>
+she could see into another
+yard.</p>
+<p>In this yard there was grass
+growing, and flower-beds, where
+the flowers were beginning to
+grow up in green shoots.</p>
+<p>But this was not all. Not far
+from the fence, by a corner of
+the garden, stood a low bush.
+She could smell its sweet fragrance
+from where she knelt.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you see it?&#8221; whispered
+Clematis.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course I see it. I can
+smell it too. It&#8217;s great.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Jane took in a long breath of
+the fragrance, and smiled at
+Clematis.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I wish I had some of
+those blossoms.&#8221; Clematis looked
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_102' name='page_102'></a>102</span>
+eagerly at the blossoms. &#8220;Do
+you know what they are, Jane?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, yes; those are lilacs.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The two girls had just time to
+take one more deep breath, full
+of the fragrance from the lilac
+blossoms, before the bell rang.</p>
+<p>Jane kept her promise, and
+while the lilacs lasted, they used
+to go often to their secret place
+and smell the fragrance of the
+blossoms.</p>
+<p>The first of July, some of the
+girls began to start for their vacations
+in the country.</p>
+<p>Now it was harder than ever
+for Clematis to stick to her work.
+She kept thinking of the beautiful
+fields, when she should have
+been thinking of numbers.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_103' name='page_103'></a>103</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know what we are
+going to do with you, Clematis,&#8221;
+said Miss Rose one day.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You do try hard sometimes.
+You have learned to make beds
+well. You are a good girl about
+your clothes, morning and night.
+But you are dreaming of other
+things, I fear. What is it you
+dream about so much?&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis thought a moment.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you think I will have a
+chance to go to the country?&#8221;</p>
+<p>She looked up at Miss Rose.
+Her face was white and anxious.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why Clematis. I don&#8217;t
+know. You wouldn&#8217;t be very
+much help I am afraid. You
+quarrel with the other children,
+and you are very slow to learn.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_104' name='page_104'></a>104</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes&#8217;m,&#8221; said Clematis, and
+hung her head.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Still,&#8221; said Miss Rose, &#8220;you
+might have a chance later. If
+you try hard I will not forget
+you.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis tried to feel happier
+then, but there were so many
+things to learn, and so few days
+to learn them in, that she hardly
+dared to hope very much.</p>
+<p>She found it very hard to learn
+to play happily with the other
+children, and liked it much better
+just to get Deborah all by herself
+and play with her.</p>
+<p>July went by, and the children
+began to come back again. They
+told stories of the wonderful
+things they had seen, and now
+Clematis was only too glad to sit
+near them and listen.</p>
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<img src='images/i06.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 303px; height: 464px;' /><br />
+<p class='caption' style='margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;width: 303px;'>
+Clematis is better<br />
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_105' name='page_105'></a>105</span></div>
+<p>&#8220;Oh,&#8221; said Sally, who had been
+to Maine, &#8220;Mr. Lane had a field
+almost as big as a whole city, full
+of long grass and daisies.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Would he let you pick the
+daisies?&#8221; asked Clematis.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course he would; all you
+wanted.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where is Maine?&#8221; asked
+Clematis, eagerly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hear her talk,&#8221; said another
+girl, named Betty, with a sniff.
+&#8220;She needn&#8217;t worry, she&#8217;ll never
+get a chance to pick any.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Betty was not very kind, and
+did not like Clematis. She often
+made fun of the younger children.</p>
+<p>Clematis turned red. Her eyes
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_106' name='page_106'></a>106</span>
+flashed, and she was about to
+answer, when the supper bell
+rang.</p>
+<p>They had just sat down at the
+table, when Betty said to a girl
+near by:</p>
+<p>&#8220;You ought to hear Clematis.
+She thinks she is going to the
+country. Just as if anybody would
+have her around.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Betty sat next to Clematis, who
+heard every word.</p>
+<p>She had tried to be a good girl
+and learn, just as Miss Rose asked
+her to.</p>
+<p>Her face burned, and her eyes
+flashed more than ever.</p>
+<p>Before she stopped to think,
+she turned and waved her spoon
+before Betty&#8217;s face, saying:
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_107' name='page_107'></a>107</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;You can&#8217;t stop me. You&#8217;d
+better keep quiet, you old pig!&#8221;</p>
+<p>Betty was so startled that she
+moved back. Her arm struck
+her bowl of milk, and the milk
+spilled out, all over the table.</p>
+<p>Part of it spilled down into
+her lap.</p>
+<p>Then Clematis began to cry.
+When Miss Rose sent her away
+from the table, and up to her
+bed, she went willingly.</p>
+<p>She was glad to get away from
+the other children.</p>
+<p>Miss Rose saw how sad she
+was, and knew how naughty
+Betty had been, so she did not
+punish her.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am very sorry you have
+not learned to behave more
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_108' name='page_108'></a>108</span>
+politely, Clematis. Perhaps this
+will be a lesson to you.&#8221;</p>
+<p>That was all she said before
+Clematis went to bed, but
+Clematis cried quietly a long, long
+time.</p>
+<p>She felt that she had made
+every one look at her, right in
+front of Mrs. Snow. What
+would Mrs. Snow think of her
+now?</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='TWO_DOCTORS' id='TWO_DOCTORS'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_109' name='page_109'></a>109</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER X</h2>
+<h3>TWO DOCTORS</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>It was very late before
+Clematis fell asleep that night,
+and in the morning she had a
+headache.</p>
+<p>When she got up she had to
+sit on the bed, she felt so dizzy.</p>
+<p>Miss Rose found her sitting
+there.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, Clematis,&#8221; she said.
+&#8220;Are you sick?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes&#8217;m, I guess so,&#8221; whispered
+the poor little girl.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Lie right down again, dear,
+and perhaps you will feel better.&#8221;</p>
+<p>They brought her a cup of
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_110' name='page_110'></a>110</span>
+cocoa, and some toast, for
+breakfast, but she could not eat.</p>
+<p>All day she lay there, pale
+and sick.</p>
+<p>In the afternoon old Doctor
+Field came in to see her. He
+sat down by the bed and asked
+her some questions.</p>
+<p>He looked at her tongue, and
+felt her pulse. Then he took out
+some little pills and gave them to
+Miss Rose.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I guess you had better put
+her in a single room,&#8221; he said.
+&#8220;Give her some of these in water,
+every two hours during the day.&#8221;</p>
+<p>He smiled at Clematis before
+he went out. &#8220;I guess she will
+feel better in the morning, when
+I come again.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_111' name='page_111'></a>111</span></p>
+<p>But in the morning Clematis
+was not better. She was worse.</p>
+<p>&#8220;How did she pass the night?&#8221;
+asked Doctor Field, as he felt
+her pulse.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not very well,&#8221; said Miss
+Rose. &#8220;She did not sleep much,
+and had a good deal of pain.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Doctor Field looked at her
+chest and arms.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It might be chicken pox, or
+measles,&#8221; he said, &#8220;but I don&#8217;t
+see any of the usual signs.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Little Clematis lay and looked
+at him steadily.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did you want something,
+dear?&#8221; he asked.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I want a drink,&#8221; she said.
+&#8220;I want a drink of cold, cold
+water.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_112' name='page_112'></a>112</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, dear, you shall have a
+drink, of course you shall.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The old doctor went into the
+hall with Miss Rose.</p>
+<p>&#8220;She may have a drink, but
+only a little at a time. And I
+wouldn&#8217;t let it be too cold. She
+really gets enough water with her
+medicine.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Soon they brought Clematis a
+little water in a cup. She raised
+her head and drank it, but then
+made a face and turned her head
+away.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It isn&#8217;t any good,&#8221; she said.</p>
+<p>That evening old Doctor Field
+came again. He looked carefully
+at Clematis, and shook his head.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I guess it&#8217;s only a slow
+fever. It&#8217;s nothing catching,&#8221; he
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_113' name='page_113'></a>113</span>
+said. &#8220;She&#8217;ll be better in a few
+days.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The few days passed, but
+Clematis was not better.</p>
+<p>At night she was restless, and
+slept little. Even when she did
+sleep, her slumber was disturbed
+by bad dreams.</p>
+<p>She talked to herself during
+these dreams, though people
+couldn&#8217;t understand what she said.</p>
+<p>Doctor Field came to see her
+every day or two, but he could
+not tell what her sickness was.
+He always said:</p>
+<p>&#8220;Just give her the medicine as
+directed, and she will be better
+soon.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Miss Rose had asked Mrs. Snow
+if she might take care of her, for
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_114' name='page_114'></a>114</span>
+she had come to love little
+Clematis, and Clematis loved her
+in return.</p>
+<p>The school work did not take
+her time very much now, so
+Mrs. Snow was glad to let
+Miss Rose care for Clematis.</p>
+<p>If she stayed away very long,
+Clematis would call for her. She
+wanted her in the room.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mrs. Snow,&#8221; said Miss Rose,
+one day, after Clematis had been
+ill more than two weeks, &#8220;I am
+very anxious about Clematis.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Is she no better?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, I feel she is worse. She
+keeps asking for a cold drink of
+water, and says she is burning up.
+I wish I dared give her some, and
+keep her cooler.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_115' name='page_115'></a>115</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I think I should follow
+the doctor&#8217;s directions. It wouldn&#8217;t
+be wise to do anything that is
+not directed by him.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t you suppose we could
+have another doctor to look at
+her, Mrs. Snow?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, I fear not; not just now,
+anyway.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Miss Rose went back to the
+little room upstairs with a sad
+heart. She knew Clematis was
+very ill.</p>
+<p>That night she prayed that
+something might be done for the
+little sick girl, and the next
+morning she felt as if her prayers
+had been answered, when Doctor
+Field came.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I shall have to be away for a
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_116' name='page_116'></a>116</span>
+short time, Miss Rose,&#8221; he said,
+after he looked at Clematis, and
+felt her pulse.</p>
+<p>&#8220;A young man, Doctor Wyatt,
+will take my place, and I am sure
+he will do all that can be done.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Can he come today?&#8221; asked
+Miss Rose. &#8220;I wish he could see
+her soon.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I will ask him. I think he
+will be much interested in Clematis.
+I should like to see her
+well again myself, but I must be
+out of town a few weeks.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I hope he will come
+today, and I hope he will take an
+interest in my little girl,&#8221; said
+Miss Rose to herself.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I know she can be cured, if we
+only know what is the matter.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_117' name='page_117'></a>117</span></p>
+<p>That afternoon Doctor Wyatt
+came. Miss Rose was glad
+when she saw him, for he was
+so kind, and so wise, that she
+knew he would do the best he
+could.</p>
+<p>The afternoon was hot, and
+Clematis was covered with hot
+blankets, as directed by Doctor
+Field.</p>
+<p>Dr. Wyatt took the blankets,
+and threw them off.</p>
+<p>&#8220;The poor child will roast under
+those,&#8221; he said.</p>
+<p>Then he sat beside her, and
+watched her.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Is there anything you would
+like?&#8221; he said at last, in a pleasant
+voice.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I want a cold drink of
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_118' name='page_118'></a>118</span>
+water.&#8221; Her voice sounded faint
+and feeble now.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What does she have to
+drink?&#8221; asked Doctor Wyatt.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We give her water now and
+then, as directed by Dr. Field.
+But we do not give her very much,
+and not very cold.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Have you any oranges in the
+house?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I could get some.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then take the white of an
+egg, and put with it the juice of a
+whole orange. Add half a glass
+of water, with pieces of ice.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Have good big pieces of ice,&#8221;
+Doctor Wyatt called after her, as
+he saw that Clematis had fixed her
+eye on him.</p>
+<p>Clematis smiled when he said
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_119' name='page_119'></a>119</span>
+that, and turned toward him with
+a sigh.</p>
+<p>Soon Miss Rose came back with
+the glass. Dr. Wyatt held it to
+the lips of the little sick girl. She
+drank slowly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh thanks,&#8221; she whispered,
+when he took the glass away.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Give her some of that
+whenever she asks for it,&#8221; he
+said.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now tell me about the
+nights,&#8221; the doctor went on.</p>
+<p>&#8220;She is restless, and sleeps
+very little. She has bad dreams
+when she does sleep, and talks to
+herself.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;What does she talk about?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know. We can&#8217;t
+make out.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_120' name='page_120'></a>120</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you keep the room lighted
+at night?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, no, it is kept dark.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, tonight keep it lighted.
+People who have bad dreams are
+often frightened by the dark.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Shall I give her the medicine
+as directed?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, don&#8217;t give her any more
+medicine at present. Give her all
+she wants of the orange and egg.
+I&#8217;ll be back in the morning.&#8221;</p>
+<p>And Dr. Wyatt was gone.</p>
+<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s a good doctor,&#8221; said
+Clematis, licking her dry lips. &#8220;I
+want a drink.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Miss Rose smiled, and put the
+glass to her lips.</p>
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<img src='images/i07.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 303px; height: 463px;' /><br />
+<p class='caption' style='margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;width: 303px;'>
+Off for Tilton<br />
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='A_LONG_ANXIOUS_NIGHT' id='A_LONG_ANXIOUS_NIGHT'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_121' name='page_121'></a>121</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2>
+<h3>A LONG, ANXIOUS NIGHT</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well,&#8221; said Doctor Wyatt,
+the next morning, &#8220;how is Clematis
+today?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;She seems a little more comfortable,&#8221;
+said Miss Rose.</p>
+<p>The doctor sat by her for half
+an hour. He felt her pulse, and
+looked her all over. Then he
+shook his head.</p>
+<p>That day he spent a long time
+studying his books.</p>
+<p>In the evening he came again,
+and sat by Clematis. He shook
+his head, sadly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I must tell you, Miss Rose,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_122' name='page_122'></a>122</span>
+that Clematis is a very sick little
+girl,&#8221; he said, as they stood in
+the hall.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Can&#8217;t you do anything for
+her?&#8221; The tears sprang to her
+eyes.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps I can. If she is no
+better tomorrow, I shall feel very
+anxious.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Again that night the doctor
+spent a long time over his big
+books. Then he went and talked
+with doctors in the hospital.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I shall be here most of the
+time tonight,&#8221; he said the next
+morning. &#8220;Keep her cool, and as
+comfortable as you can.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Miss Rose went back to the
+bed with aching heart.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, if we only knew what
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_123' name='page_123'></a>123</span>
+was the matter with you, Clematis,&#8221;
+she thought, as she looked
+at the little white face.</p>
+<p>In the evening Doctor Wyatt
+came back once more.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, Miss Rose,&#8221; he said,
+&#8220;you are very tired. You must
+go away for a walk, or a visit, or
+a rest. I will take care of her
+tonight.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t you think I had better
+stay, too?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, you must rest. Please
+have a cup of coffee sent to me
+about ten. I shall stay right
+here. You will be needed tomorrow.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Doctor Wyatt sat down to
+watch by Clematis.</p>
+<p>It was a warm evening, so he
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_124' name='page_124'></a>124</span>
+gave her a drink, and fanned her,
+to cool her hot face.</p>
+<p>As it grew late, she fell into a
+light sleep. As she slept, she
+began to talk in low tones.</p>
+<p>The doctor bent his head down
+very near her lips, and listened
+carefully to everything she said.</p>
+<p>Hour after hour he watched
+and listened, until he, too, fell
+asleep, just as the sun was coming
+up.</p>
+<p>Miss Rose found him there in
+the morning, sleeping in his chair,
+close by the bed.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Miss Rose,&#8221; he asked, as he
+started up, &#8220;did this little girl want
+anything very much indeed?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, she did. She wanted to
+go to the country, as the other
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_125' name='page_125'></a>125</span>
+children did, but it did not seem
+quite possible.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s it! That&#8217;s just it!&#8221;
+exclaimed Doctor Wyatt. &#8220;She
+spoke of flowers, of lilacs and
+daisies. I couldn&#8217;t tell much
+what she said, but I could hear
+those words.&#8221;</p>
+<p>At that moment, Clematis
+opened her eyes and stared about
+her.</p>
+<p>Doctor Wyatt took one thin,
+frail hand in his big brown ones.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Clematis,&#8221; he said in a loud,
+firm tone, &#8220;I know a lovely place
+in the country. If you will get
+well, you can go there for two
+whole weeks.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis stared at him, but did
+not seem to hear him.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_126' name='page_126'></a>126</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I want a drink,&#8221; she said
+feebly.</p>
+<p>He put the glass to her lips.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You can pick daisies, and
+goldenrod, and all sorts of flowers
+in the country, if you&#8217;ll just get
+well, can&#8217;t she, Miss Rose?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, Clematis, you can.&#8221;
+Miss Rose tried to speak cheerfully,
+but it was hard. She
+wanted to cry.</p>
+<p>Clematis stared at her also
+for a minute, and then turned
+away.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll go get some sleep now.
+Keep her cool and comfortable,
+till I come back again this evening.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The day passed slowly. Mrs.
+Snow came in two or three times
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_127' name='page_127'></a>127</span>
+to look at Clematis, and feel her
+pulse.</p>
+<p>Some of the other teachers
+came to peep in also. They
+went away softly, wiping their
+eyes.</p>
+<p>&#8220;She is a queer little girl,&#8221;
+said one, &#8220;but I do love her.&#8221;</p>
+<p>That is what they all felt.</p>
+<p>At evening Doctor Wyatt returned.
+He looked anxious, as
+he took his seat beside the bed.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I shall stay till about ten,
+Miss Rose, so you must rest now.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t want to go,&#8221; said
+Miss Rose.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You must, you will be needed
+later. She will need great care
+tonight, I think.&#8221;</p>
+<p>At ten, Miss Rose returned.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_128' name='page_128'></a>128</span>
+She had not rested much, and was
+glad to get back to the bedside.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Here is my telephone number,
+Miss Rose. You can get me very
+soon by calling me up. Watch
+her carefully, and if you see any
+change at all, send for me at
+once.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you think there may be
+a change tonight?&#8221; Miss Rose
+looked straight into his face to
+see just what he meant.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, Miss Rose, there may
+be, and I hope it will be for the
+better.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You hope?&#8221; Miss Rose held
+her breath a minute.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, let us hope. Hope does
+more than all the medicine in the
+world.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_129' name='page_129'></a>129</span></p>
+<p>The minutes crept along into
+hours, and midnight passed, while
+Miss Rose watched.</p>
+<p>Clematis seemed restless, but
+she did not talk to herself any
+more.</p>
+<p>Miss Rose held the glass to
+her lips now and then, but she
+did not drink.</p>
+<p>When Miss Rose wiped her
+face with a cold, wet cloth, she
+smiled a faint little smile, as if
+she liked it. Then the look of
+pain would come again, as she
+turned restlessly.</p>
+<p>The clock outside struck one.
+How slowly the minutes went.</p>
+<p>At last it struck two, and a
+breeze stirred the leaves outside.</p>
+<p>They were the leaves of the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_130' name='page_130'></a>130</span>
+maple Clematis had broken in the
+early Spring. Now they seemed
+to whisper softly to each other.</p>
+<p>All else was silent.</p>
+<p>Miss Rose had watched a long
+time. Many days she had been
+by the bed. Her eyes began to
+droop.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll rest my head just a
+minute,&#8221; she thought, and leaned
+back upon the chair.</p>
+<p>Slowly the clock struck three.
+As the last stroke came, Miss Rose
+stirred, and opened her eyes.</p>
+<p>Then she started up.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I must have been asleep,&#8221; she
+said aloud. &#8220;Oh, shame on me
+for sleeping, when I promised to
+watch.&#8221;</p>
+<p>She looked down at the bed.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_131' name='page_131'></a>131</span></p>
+<p>Clematis lay there, peaceful
+and quiet. Her little hand was
+white and still as marble. Her
+face seemed very happy. All pain
+was gone, and a smile lay upon
+the pale lips.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, little Clematis. To think
+I should have been asleep!&#8221;</p>
+<p>Miss Rose took out her handkerchief,
+and bent her head down
+on the bed, weeping.</p>
+<p>A slight sound seemed to come
+from the pillow. Miss Rose looked
+up.</p>
+<p>The child&#8217;s eyes were open
+wide. She was looking at her in
+wonder.</p>
+<p>&#8220;He said I could go, didn&#8217;t
+he?&#8221; said Clematis in a faint
+voice.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_132' name='page_132'></a>132</span></p>
+<p>Miss Rose choked down her
+sobs.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, yes, Clematis, he did, he
+did.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, then, what are you
+crying about?&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis closed her eyes again
+and lay, still as before, with a
+little smile on her lips.</p>
+<p>Miss Rose was so astonished
+that she sat staring at her for
+some minutes, until she heard a
+step in the hall.</p>
+<p>It was Doctor Wyatt.</p>
+<p>He came in softly and looked
+at the little figure on the bed.</p>
+<p>He felt her pulse, and listened
+to her heart. Then he smiled,
+and led Miss Rose from the
+room.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_133' name='page_133'></a>133</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;She is all right now,&#8221; he
+whispered. &#8220;Let her sleep as long
+as she can.&#8221;</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='GETTING_WELL' id='GETTING_WELL'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_134' name='page_134'></a>134</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2>
+<h3>GETTING WELL</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Clematis slept all night, and
+all the next day. It was evening
+when she woke.</p>
+<p>Miss Rose was beside the bed,
+and heard her as she moved.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you feel better now, dear
+little girl?&#8221; asked Miss Rose.</p>
+<p>Clematis looked at her a
+moment with eyes wide open.</p>
+<p>&#8220;He said I could go, didn&#8217;t
+he?&#8221; she asked.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, surely he did, and you
+can go; you shall go just as soon
+as you are well.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis smiled a happy smile.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_135' name='page_135'></a>135</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I want a drink of that orange
+juice.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Miss Rose brought a glass with
+ice in it, and held it, while
+Clematis sipped it slowly. Then
+she washed her face and hands in
+cold water.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Thanks,&#8221; the little girl whispered,
+as she turned on the pillow,
+and went off to sleep again.</p>
+<p>There was great joy all through
+the Home, for every one knew that
+Clematis was getting well.</p>
+<p>Doctor Wyatt came every day
+to look at his little sick girl, and
+laugh, and pat her cheeks.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You just wait till you see the
+apple pies my aunt can make,&#8221;
+he would say.</p>
+<p>Then Clematis would smile.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_136' name='page_136'></a>136</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Tell me about the garden.
+Are there any lilacs?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;No lilac blossoms now, little
+sister, but asters, and hollyhocks,
+and goldenrod. You just wait
+till you see them.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Then the doctor would go out,
+with another laugh.</p>
+<p>Soon Clematis got so well that
+she could sit up in bed.</p>
+<p>Miss Rose would sit by the
+window, sewing, and sometimes
+she would read a story.</p>
+<p>One afternoon she saw that
+Clematis was anxious about something.
+She had a little wrinkle
+in her forehead.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What is it you are thinking
+about? Is there something you
+want?&#8221;</p>
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<img src='images/i08.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 299px; height: 465px;' /><br />
+<p class='caption' style='margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;width: 299px;'>
+In the country at last<br />
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_137' name='page_137'></a>137</span></div>
+<p>Miss Rose went and stood by
+the bed, smoothing her forehead
+with her soft hand.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I was thinking,&#8221; said Clematis.
+&#8220;I was thinking that&mdash;that
+perhaps I could have Deborah
+come to see me, just for a minute.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you wait a minute, and
+I&#8217;ll see.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Miss Rose went out, and Clematis
+waited to hear her steps
+again. She had not seen Deborah
+for a long time.</p>
+<p>Soon she heard Miss Rose coming
+back. She shut her eyes till
+the footsteps came up to the bed,
+and before she opened them, there
+was a little pounce beside her.</p>
+<p>Her dear Deborah was rubbing
+a cold nose against her cheek, and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_138' name='page_138'></a>138</span>
+purring how glad she was to see
+her.</p>
+<p>Clematis smoothed and patted
+her a long time, as she lay purring
+close by her side.</p>
+<p>After that, Deborah came up
+often, and lay there on the bed,
+while Miss Rose sewed by the
+window.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What are you sewing?&#8221; asked
+Clematis one day, when she was
+well enough to sit up.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What do you suppose?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It looks like a dress.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s just what it is. It&#8217;s
+a new dress for a little girl to
+wear to the country.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, who is going to have
+it? Let me see it. Please hold
+it up.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_139' name='page_139'></a>139</span></p>
+<p>Miss Rose held the dress before
+her. It was nearly done.</p>
+<p>The skirt was of serge, navy
+blue, with two pockets. With it
+went a middy blouse, with white
+lacings at the neck, and white stars
+on the sleeves.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, please tell me. Who is
+going to have it?&#8221; The child&#8217;s
+eyes danced as she saw the pretty
+dress.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll give you just one guess,&#8221;
+said Miss Rose, smiling.</p>
+<p>Clematis gasped. Could it be
+for her? She had never dreamed
+of owning a dress like that.</p>
+<p>The little girl sat there a
+moment, without speaking. Then
+she pointed one finger at herself.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Right, the very first time,&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_140' name='page_140'></a>140</span>
+said Miss Rose. &#8220;This blouse is
+to travel in. There is another.&#8221;</p>
+<p>She reached down and lifted
+another blouse. This was white,
+with blue collar and cuffs, and a
+blue star on the sleeve.</p>
+<p>All this was too much for
+Clematis. The tears stood in
+her eyes, and she breathed fast.
+But she did not say very much to
+speak her gratitude.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, thanks,&#8221; was all she said.
+Miss Rose saw in her face how
+much it all meant to her.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am proud of this little patient,&#8221;
+said Doctor Wyatt, the
+next day. &#8220;If she keeps on at
+this rate, we can send her up to
+Tilton next week.&#8221;</p>
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<img src='images/i15.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 295px; height: 458px;' /><br />
+<p class='caption' style='margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;width: 295px;'>
+&#8220;What are you sewing?&#8221;<br />
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_141' name='page_141'></a>141</span></div>
+<p>How her eyes shone! How her
+heart jumped! The very next
+week she would be starting for
+the land of her dreams.</p>
+<p>She could see great fields of
+grass, with daisies and clover.
+Already she could see them
+stretching out before her.</p>
+<p>How she got through the days
+before she was to start, she never
+knew. She was well enough now
+to sleep in the dormitory once
+more; to eat with the other children,
+and do some of the work.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now dear,&#8221; said Miss Rose,
+the day before she was to start,
+&#8220;I must leave you. I am going
+away, too, for a vacation, so I
+must say goodby today.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis looked up in surprise.
+She never thought that grown
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_142' name='page_142'></a>142</span>
+people wanted to go away. She
+did not notice how pale and tired
+Miss Rose was. It had been hard
+work for her.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You will try to help all you
+can, won&#8217;t you, dear? Think
+every minute of what you can do
+to help. Then people will love
+you, even if you make mistakes.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes&#8217;m, I will promise.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You can wear the blue blouse,
+and you can put the white one in
+the box I gave you, if you are
+afraid of crushing it in the little
+bag.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, yes&#8217;m, I don&#8217;t want to
+put it in the bag.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, then, goodby, and have
+a good time. Jerry will see that
+you get on the right train.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_143' name='page_143'></a>143</span></p>
+<p>Jerry was the old cab man, who
+had a stand near the school, and
+carried people to the station.</p>
+<p>This was a new delight for
+Clematis. What fun to ride to
+the station with Jerry, in a cab!</p>
+<p>All day the joyful thoughts of
+her trip filled her mind. She
+could think of nothing else. The
+other children laughed at her, but
+she never minded them at all.</p>
+<p>She was going to the country,
+to the birds, and flowers, and
+fields, and that was all she
+cared.</p>
+<p>But as she was going to bed,
+one thought seemed to disturb her.
+She lay there thinking, with the
+little anxious line across her forehead.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_144' name='page_144'></a>144</span></p>
+<p>A long time she thought. Then
+she spoke half aloud.</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s just what I&#8217;ll do,&#8221;
+she said. &#8220;I&#8217;ve got to, anyway.
+I don&#8217;t care if the blouse is crushed
+a little.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Then she went to sleep.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='OFF_FOR_TILTON' id='OFF_FOR_TILTON'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_145' name='page_145'></a>145</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2>
+<h3>OFF FOR TILTON</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>The day that she had longed
+for came at last. The sun was
+bright, the breeze was cool, and
+Clematis was as happy as the
+sparrows that hopped about in
+the maple tree.</p>
+<p>All the morning she ran here and
+there, getting her things ready.</p>
+<p>She had a small, black bag,
+and the box Miss Rose left for
+her extra blouse. Her things were
+put into these.</p>
+<p>Mrs. Snow had an early lunch
+for Clematis, because she was
+going on the one o&#8217;clock train.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_146' name='page_146'></a>146</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I would rather eat it down in
+the kitchen with Katie,&#8221; she said,
+when they started to put a bowl
+on the big table.</p>
+<p>Katie was willing, so Clematis
+had some bread and soup on the
+corner of the kitchen table.</p>
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<img src='images/i03.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 300px; height: 463px;' /><br />
+<p class='caption' style='margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;width: 300px;'>
+With Katie in the kitchen<br />
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;It will be nearer the street,
+so I will bring my things down
+here,&#8221; she said.</p>
+<p>She seemed very nervous, but
+Katie thought it was because of
+her trip.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t worry, Miss Clematis,&#8221;
+she said. &#8220;Jerry will soon be
+here.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I know it.&#8221; Clematis looked
+around. Then she slipped out
+of her chair and went up to
+Katie.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_147' name='page_147'></a>147</span></p>
+<p>She whispered a minute in her
+friendly ear.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, now dearie, I wouldn&#8217;t
+be doing that.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Katie put her hand on the
+little girl&#8217;s cheek, and shook her
+head. &#8220;I don&#8217;t think they would
+like it.&#8221;</p>
+<p>But Clematis was very serious.
+The tears came into her eyes as
+she whispered again.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, please, please! I don&#8217;t
+know what might happen.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, then,&#8221; answered Katie,
+&#8220;what I don&#8217;t see, I don&#8217;t know
+about. I&#8217;m going upstairs a
+minute. Be quick now.&#8221;</p>
+<p>She went upstairs, and Clematis
+hurried into the small room
+near the kitchen, with her box.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_148' name='page_148'></a>148</span></p>
+<p>In a minute she came out again,
+looking all about.</p>
+<p>When Katie came down, she
+was drinking her soup. She could
+not swallow the bread.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Dear child,&#8221; said Katie, as
+the bell rang. &#8220;I hope the worry
+doesn&#8217;t make her sick again.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Jerry was ready with the cab.</p>
+<p>&#8220;All aboard, mum, I&#8217;ll take
+your things.&#8221;</p>
+<p>He started to take the box,
+which she hugged up under one
+arm.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, no thank you,&#8221; she cried,
+and held on to it tighter than
+ever.</p>
+<p>Katie gave him the black bag
+she had in her hand, and the next
+minute Clematis was safe inside,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_149' name='page_149'></a>149</span>
+and throwing a kiss to the friendly
+cook.</p>
+<p>Before he got to the station,
+old Jerry stopped, and went into
+a store. He came out with a big
+paper bag.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Katie told me to get this for
+you, miss,&#8221; he said, as he passed
+the bag to her through the open
+window.</p>
+<p>She peeped inside. There was
+a smaller bag, and several big
+peaches.</p>
+<p>In the smaller bag were sandwiches,
+and cream cakes.</p>
+<p>What a treat! Clematis often
+longed for peaches, but had not
+tasted them very often.</p>
+<p>In the station Jerry got down,
+and led her to the train.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_150' name='page_150'></a>150</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Here is a passenger for Tilton,
+New Hampshire,&#8221; he said to
+the conductor.</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right, Jerry, I&#8217;ll look
+after her.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The big conductor smiled at
+the little passenger.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come on, sister,&#8221; he said, as
+he stooped to take her box.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, no, thank you,&#8221; said
+Clematis, hugging it closer than
+ever.</p>
+<p>&#8220;She must have her money in
+that,&#8221; laughed Jerry.</p>
+<p>So the conductor took the two
+bags, while Clematis carried the
+box. He found her a seat
+where she could be right by the
+window.</p>
+<p>Soon the train started. They
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_151' name='page_151'></a>151</span>
+went across bridges, and through
+the yards, till at last they came
+to the open country.</p>
+<p>There Clematis could see the
+fields, and the flowers, which
+grew close by the tracks.</p>
+<p>As the train flew on, they
+came to quiet woods, with little
+brooks, and cows resting comfortably
+in the shade.</p>
+<p>There was so much to see, that
+Clematis could not take her face
+from the window a minute.</p>
+<p>Farmers were at work in the
+fields of wheat, and corn, and
+oats. They were mowing and
+raking. Some were throwing hay
+into the big carts.</p>
+<p>At last they came to a big
+river that ran along by the track.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_152' name='page_152'></a>152</span>
+Clematis could see people fishing
+along the banks, and rowing on
+the smooth water.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I hope there is a river in
+Tilton,&#8221; she thought.</p>
+<p>It was a long time before she
+thought of the peaches, and sandwiches.
+When she did, she knew
+she was very hungry, so she
+opened the bag, and ate, while
+she watched the river, and fields,
+and forests.</p>
+<p>One sandwich she broke in
+halves. She raised the cover of
+the box a little, and put one half
+inside. Then she shut the cover
+and tied the string.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Tilton is the next station,&#8221;
+said the conductor, at last.</p>
+<p>They went along beside a small
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_153' name='page_153'></a>153</span>
+river, across a bridge, and the
+train stopped at Tilton.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I guess that little girl is for
+me,&#8221; said a tall man with a
+pleasant face, as Clematis came
+down the steps.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Her tag says Mrs. Alder on
+it, is that the one?&#8221; asked the
+conductor.</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s right. I told Mrs.
+Alder I would bring her along
+when I came from the train.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, here&#8217;s her bag. She
+won&#8217;t let any one touch her box.
+She keeps her money in it. Goodby,
+little girl.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Too&mdash;too&mdash;too-too.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The whistle blew, the wheels
+began to turn, and the long train
+drew slowly away.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_154' name='page_154'></a>154</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Right over here, little girl.
+Climb right up on the seat. I&#8217;ll
+hold your box.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, no thank you,&#8221; said
+Clematis. &#8220;I&#8217;ll keep it.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Then she looked up at the
+seat. How was she to climb up
+there and hold her box?</p>
+<p>Suddenly she was lifted off the
+ground, and found herself safe on
+the high seat.</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s the way we&#8217;ll fix it,&#8221;
+said the man, with a smile. &#8220;Up
+you go, money, box, and all.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now I want to go up the
+street about a mile or so, before
+I take you to Mrs. Alder. I
+don&#8217;t suppose you mind, do
+you?&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis shook her head. She
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_155' name='page_155'></a>155</span>
+was happy at the thought of
+another ride.</p>
+<p>So they drove up a long hill.
+As they reached the top, the man
+stopped his horse, and looked
+about.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s pretty, isn&#8217;t it?&#8221; he said.</p>
+<p>Clematis nodded, and looked all
+about her.</p>
+<p>The hill sloped down again into
+a little valley, where the brook
+ran between green meadows.</p>
+<p>Beyond that, the pastures ran
+up to meet the forest on another
+hill.</p>
+<p>Looking past this hill, she
+could see the blue waters of a lake,
+sparkling in the evening sun.</p>
+<p>From the lake the ground rose
+once more. Up and up it went,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_156' name='page_156'></a>156</span>
+with pastures and forests, until it
+came to the rocky crowns of three
+mountains.</p>
+<p>The mountains were a deep,
+misty blue. Above them rose the
+white August clouds, rolling on
+and on, into the highest heaven.</p>
+<p>Clematis drew a long breath.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is lovely,&#8221; she whispered.</p>
+<p>Not far from where they
+stopped was a white house, with
+the blinds closed. Vines ran
+about the front, and all seemed
+lonely.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Who lives there?&#8221; she asked,
+finding her tongue at last.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No one lives there now. A
+nice old man used to live there,
+but he had a good deal of sadness.
+He shut up the house, and went
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_157' name='page_157'></a>157</span>
+to live in a little place over near
+Bean Hill.&#8221;</p>
+<p>He pointed over to another hill
+which rose in the east.</p>
+<p>Clematis would have liked
+to know more about the man
+who could leave such a lovely
+place, but the horse started on
+again.</p>
+<p>Soon they turned into another
+road, and before long were turning
+back toward the village.</p>
+<p>All the way along, Clematis
+could see the blue mountains in
+the distance. She could not take
+her eyes from them.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, there is your house,&#8221;
+said the man, at last, pointing to
+a neat, white house.</p>
+<p>Clematis looked all about. Yes,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_158' name='page_158'></a>158</span>
+there were gardens, and flowers,
+and fields, and trees.</p>
+<p>There was a cow down by a
+little brook.</p>
+<p>Everything she had hoped to
+find was there. There was a tall
+maple beside the house.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, this is Clematis, I
+guess,&#8221; said a lady, coming down
+the path.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Thank you very much, Mr.
+Ladd. I see she came right side
+up.&#8221;</p>
+<p>She took the bag Mr. Ladd
+handed down, and reached for the
+box that Clematis still hugged in
+her lap.</p>
+<p>Clematis started to explain, but
+Mrs. Alder did not wait. She
+was nervous and quick.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_159' name='page_159'></a>159</span></p>
+<p>She pulled the box out of her
+hands.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why Clematis, what is in
+this box?&#8221; Mrs. Alder looked at
+it in surprise.</p>
+<p>Clematis did not answer. She
+gasped, and turned red as a
+rooster&#8217;s comb.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s her money, Mrs. Alder,&#8221;
+said Mr. Ladd, laughing. &#8220;She
+has it tied up for safe keeping.
+The conductor told me so.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Mrs. Alder lifted one corner of
+the box to peep in.</p>
+<p>There was a scratching sound,
+and then out popped a little white,
+furry head, with sharp ears, and
+one black eye.</p>
+<p>It was Deborah.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='THE_COUNTRY' id='THE_COUNTRY'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_160' name='page_160'></a>160</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2>
+<h3>THE COUNTRY</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>When Mr. Ladd saw the little
+white head peep out, he put his
+head back and laughed.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I pity the rats in your barn
+now, Mrs. Alder,&#8221; he shouted.</p>
+<p>Mrs. Alder frowned at first, but
+when she looked at Clematis, and
+saw her anxious face, she smiled.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What on earth made you
+bring that cat way up here?&#8221; she
+asked.</p>
+<p>&#8220;She&#8217;s my own cat. I was
+afraid to leave her at the Home
+all alone. Would you like to
+leave your cat alone, where people
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_161' name='page_161'></a>161</span>
+might throw it away while you
+were gone?&#8221;</p>
+<p>Just then a tall man with a
+gray beard walked up.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Never mind, Mary,&#8221; he said.
+&#8220;We have plenty of milk in the
+dairy, and plenty of rats in the
+barn.&#8221;</p>
+<p>By this time Clematis had
+Deborah safe in her arms, and
+Mr. Alder led the way to the
+house, while Mr. Ladd drove off,
+laughing as he went.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you can take the cat
+down to the barn. I won&#8217;t have
+it in the house,&#8221; said Mrs. Alder.</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right, we&#8217;ll find a place
+for her,&#8221; said Mr. Alder. He
+took Clematis by the hand, and
+they went down to the barn.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_162' name='page_162'></a>162</span></p>
+<p>A gray horse poked his head
+from a box stall to look at the
+little visitor, and a little red hen
+called her chickens, and hastened
+away, clucking, as if she were
+very angry.</p>
+<p>Clematis turned to look at her.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did you ever have any chickens?&#8221;
+asked Mr. Alder.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, no, I never saw any.&#8221;
+Clematis could not take her eyes
+from the little chicks, as they ran
+after their anxious mother.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We have lots of things to
+show you here. Let&#8217;s put your
+cat up in the loft now.&#8221;</p>
+<p>They went up a set of stairs,
+and there was a loft, full of sweet
+hay.</p>
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<img src='images/i16.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 302px; height: 468px;' /><br />
+<p class='caption' style='margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;width: 302px;'>
+Clematis stuck one hand out<br />
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_163' name='page_163'></a>163</span></div>
+<p>&#8220;There now, Mrs. Tabby, you
+will find a good bed, and good
+hunting here.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Her name isn&#8217;t Tabby, it&#8217;s
+Deborah,&#8221; said Clematis, as she
+put her down.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, that&#8217;s quite a name. It
+suits her very well.&#8221; Mr. Alder
+led the way down again.</p>
+<p>At the other end of the barn,
+a red and white calf came up to
+meet them.</p>
+<p>It put out its wet nose to smell
+the little visitor, and made her
+start back.</p>
+<p>&#8220;He wants to say &#8216;how do&#8217;. He
+loves little girls,&#8221; said Mr. Alder.</p>
+<p>Clematis stuck one hand out
+timidly, and pulled it back again,
+when the calf tried to lick it with
+his rough tongue.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_164' name='page_164'></a>164</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;He wants just a little taste,&#8221;
+laughed Mr. Alder. &#8220;Come on
+now. Here is something else.&#8221;</p>
+<p>At the end of the barn, Clematis
+could hear strange noises.
+There, in the yard, were some
+smooth, white animals running
+about.</p>
+<p>When Clematis came near the
+fence, they ran and put their fore
+feet up, and stuck their noses out.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Uff, uff,&#8221; they said. Then
+they squealed.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I know! Those are pigs!&#8221;
+cried Clematis, clapping her
+hands.</p>
+<p>Eight clean, white pigs were
+grunting and squealing for their
+supper.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Squeal away, piggies,&#8221; said
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_165' name='page_165'></a>165</span>
+Mr. Alder. &#8220;Supper will be along
+soon.&#8221;</p>
+<p>In a moment, he brought from
+the dairy a bright milk pail.
+Then they went down to the gate,
+and he called:</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come boss, come boss. Come
+Betty.&#8221;</p>
+<p>A sleek, plump cow came over
+the hill, and hurried down to the
+gate. It was just the color of a
+mouse.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Dear old Betty. Steady now.&#8221;
+Betty pushed through, and walked
+fast to the barn, where she began
+to whisper to her calf, and lap it
+with her great rough tongue.</p>
+<p>As Clematis came up, Betty
+put her head down, and shook
+her horns.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_166' name='page_166'></a>166</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Behave, Betty. You ought
+to be ashamed,&#8221; said Mr. Alder.
+&#8220;You see, she won&#8217;t let any
+strangers near her calf.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Then he took some grain and
+put it in Betty&#8217;s box, while he tied
+her head, and sat down on the
+stool beside her.</p>
+<p>Clematis had never seen a cow
+milked before, and stood watching
+the white streams which filled
+the foaming pail, as if Mr. Alder
+were a fairy. It seemed like
+magic.</p>
+<p>When the pail was full, Mr.
+Alder poured some into a shiny
+can, and took the rest to the
+dairy.</p>
+<p>There he poured it into a red
+machine, with a big bowl. He
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_167' name='page_167'></a>167</span>
+turned the handle, and soon two
+streams came out.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What is that for?&#8221; Clematis
+thought this might be some new
+magic. Indeed it was magic,
+almost.</p>
+<p>&#8220;This is the separator,&#8221; answered
+Mr. Alder. &#8220;I pour the
+milk in at the top, and turn the
+handle. Then the cream comes
+out of one spout, and the skimmed
+milk from the other.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I see,&#8221; said Clematis,
+though it really was all like magic
+to her.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now I guess we are through.
+Let&#8217;s go up and see what they
+have for supper.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Mr. Alder took the empty pail,
+and led her back to the house,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_168' name='page_168'></a>168</span>
+where supper was ready and
+waiting.</p>
+<p>The smell of hot biscuit made
+Clematis feel very hungry, and she
+was glad that supper was all ready.</p>
+<p>With the biscuit, was golden
+butter, and apple sauce.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you like warm milk right
+from the cow?&#8221; asked Mrs. Alder.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes&#8217;m,&#8221; replied Clematis,
+with a nod.</p>
+<p>So Mrs. Alder put a little
+pitcher, with a glass, not much
+bigger than a thimble, beside her
+plate.</p>
+<p>She could pour it out herself,
+as often as she emptied her glass.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Better leave room for some
+fresh blueberry pie, and a piece of
+cheese,&#8221; said Mr. Alder.</p>
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<img src='images/i09.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 305px; height: 463px;' /><br />
+<p class='caption' style='margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;width: 305px;'>
+The little red hen<br />
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_169' name='page_169'></a>169</span></div>
+<p>Blueberry pie and cheese, hot
+biscuit and fresh milk, and golden
+butter, all she wanted; surely,
+Sally never had any supper better
+than this.</p>
+<p>The shadows were falling, and
+the August crickets were beginning
+their evening concert, when
+Clematis had eaten the last bit of
+pie on her plate.</p>
+<p>&#8220;The Sand Man is coming, I
+do believe,&#8221; said Mr. Alder, as he
+reached over to pinch her cheek.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I don&#8217;t wonder, the
+trip was a long one for a little
+girl. You shall go right to bed,
+Clematis.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Mrs. Alder took a lamp as she
+spoke, and led the little visitor to
+the stairs.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_170' name='page_170'></a>170</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Good night, sleep tight, don&#8217;t
+let the skeeters bite.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Mr. Alder called after her as
+she went up.</p>
+<p>Clematis laughed. Her eyes
+were drooping, and her feet were
+heavy, as she climbed the stairs.</p>
+<p>&#8220;There now, we&#8217;ll have you
+tucked in before a cat can say
+Jack Sprat,&#8221; said Mrs. Alder, as
+she unbuttoned her boots.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Haven&#8217;t I got to fold my
+clothes?&#8221; asked Clematis, as Mrs.
+Alder began picking them up.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Never mind about them tonight.
+Here&#8217;s a wet cloth. We&#8217;ll
+just have a quick wash, and into
+bed you go.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The bed was soft; the pillows
+were softer; and the song of the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_171' name='page_171'></a>171</span>
+evening breeze in the maple, without
+her open window, was softer
+still.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am in the country,&#8221; sighed
+Clematis. &#8220;I can hear the trees,
+and I can smell the flowers now.
+Tomorrow I will&mdash;&#8221;</p>
+<p>I wish I could tell you what
+she was going to do. I can&#8217;t,
+for just then, she fell fast asleep.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='CLEMATIS_TRIES_TO_HELP' id='CLEMATIS_TRIES_TO_HELP'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_172' name='page_172'></a>172</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2>
+<h3>CLEMATIS TRIES TO HELP</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>The birds in the maple tree
+woke Clematis early the next
+morning.</p>
+<p>For a minute she did not
+know where she was. Then she
+hopped out of bed and ran to the
+window.</p>
+<p>The sun was up. The birds
+were singing all about. The smell
+of clover and sweet grass came to
+her open window.</p>
+<p>There, across the valley, lay
+the mountains she saw in the
+evening.</p>
+<p>Now they were not blue. She
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_173' name='page_173'></a>173</span>
+could see the rocks and the bushes,
+in the morning light. But they
+were just as lovely as before.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh,&#8221; she thought, &#8220;some day
+I&#8217;ll go and climb up those mountains.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Then she washed carefully at
+the stand by the window, for she
+remembered what Miss Rose had
+said.</p>
+<p>When she was dressed, she
+started down stairs. Then she
+thought again.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I must help all I can. I guess
+I&#8217;ll make the bed.&#8221;</p>
+<p>So she drew the clothes neatly
+over the bed, and smoothed the
+pillow. Then she went down.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Good morning, Clematis,&#8221;
+said Mrs. Alder. &#8220;I see you get
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_174' name='page_174'></a>174</span>
+up before breakfast. Did you
+have a good sleep?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes&#8217;m,&#8221; replied Clematis.
+&#8220;Would you like me to help
+you?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, you had better run out
+and see what Mr. Alder is doing.
+You can help me after breakfast.&#8221;</p>
+<p>So Clematis ran out.</p>
+<p>How loud the birds sounded in
+the clear air. How they chirped
+and twittered. How sweet the
+smell of the flowers, and how
+bright the sun.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, there&#8217;s the little red
+hen!&#8221; she cried. &#8220;But she has
+lost her chickens. Every one is
+gone.&#8221;</p>
+<p>There was the little hen, sitting
+on the ground, near the barn door.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_175' name='page_175'></a>175</span></p>
+<p>Just then Mr. Alder came out
+with a pail of milk.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Mr. Alder, where have
+all the chickens gone?&#8221; cried
+Clematis.</p>
+<p>He laughed. &#8220;Dear me,&#8221; he
+said. &#8220;I don&#8217;t see them anywhere,
+do you?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, but they were all here
+last night.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wonder if the rats caught
+them.&#8221; Mr. Alder looked very
+sad.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, dear, if they did, I&#8217;ll tell
+Deborah.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis looked as if she were
+ready to cry.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t cry. I&#8217;ll get a fairy
+to bring them back. You turn
+around and shut your eyes.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_176' name='page_176'></a>176</span></p>
+<p>He turned her around. &#8220;Now,
+are your eyes shut?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now you must say, &#8216;Fairy,
+Fairy, bring back my chicks.&#8217;&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Fairy, Fairy, bring back my
+chicks,&#8221; said Clematis, laughing.</p>
+<p>She heard the little red hen
+clucking behind her. Then she
+heard the chickens peeping.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Turn round,&#8221; said Mr. Alder.</p>
+<p>She opened her eyes; she turned
+around; and there were the chicks,
+running about their mother.</p>
+<p>She was just going to cry out
+in surprise, when the hen lifted
+her wings, and two more ran out
+from beneath them.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I know. She had them
+under her feathers all the time.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_177' name='page_177'></a>177</span></p>
+<p>Clematis laughed and danced
+about, while the red hen clucked
+to her chicks and walked off very
+angry indeed.</p>
+<p>Mr. Alder laughed also, and
+picked up the pail.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you see that patch of
+raspberries down there, just beyond
+the hen house?&#8221; he asked.</p>
+<p>Clematis nodded.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think there are some big,
+late raspberries down there.
+Would you like to pick a few?
+You&#8217;ll find them good.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;For me to eat?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, eat all you can find.
+They are good for little city girls.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, thank you.&#8221; Clematis
+started toward the patch of raspberries.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_178' name='page_178'></a>178</span></p>
+<p>Then she stopped.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I must see Deborah first,&#8221;
+she said. &#8220;I wonder if she caught
+any rats.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;To be sure, I forgot Deborah.
+Give her my love.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Mr. Alder went to separate
+his milk, while Clematis found
+Deborah sound asleep on the hay,
+and ready to visit the raspberry
+patch.</p>
+<p>Soon the bell for breakfast
+rang, and Clematis ran to the
+house. Her lips and fingers were
+red with raspberries, for she had
+found big ones.</p>
+<p>By her plate was her tiny glass,
+and a pitcher of rich milk. There
+were corn flakes, and shredded
+wheat first, and then toast, and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_179' name='page_179'></a>179</span>
+bacon, and big baked apples with
+cream.</p>
+<p>Clematis had never really expected
+to have such things to eat.
+The stories other little girls had
+told her, all had seemed like fairy
+tales.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now you can help me a while,
+if you wish,&#8221; said Mrs. Alder,
+after breakfast. &#8220;Can you wash
+dishes?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, yes&#8217;m, I can do that all
+right.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis looked after Mr.
+Alder with longing eyes. He
+was going to feed the pigs. She
+longed to go too, but she knew
+she must help all she could.</p>
+<p>So she started in on the plates
+and cups.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_180' name='page_180'></a>180</span></p>
+<p>The water was hot, and she
+found it hard work to hold the
+china. Just as she was lifting
+a cup, it slipped from her
+hand.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Snick.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gracious, what was that?&#8221;
+asked Mrs. Alder. She thought
+a good deal of her china.</p>
+<p>The cup was taken out. A
+piece was broken from the edge.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, dear me. I have had
+those cups for twenty years. I
+guess I&#8217;ll finish the dishes.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis said nothing, but
+turned very red. She almost
+cried, she was so ashamed.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, don&#8217;t worry too much
+about it,&#8221; said Mrs. Alder. &#8220;You
+can help me with the beds. I&#8217;m
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_181' name='page_181'></a>181</span>
+sure you can make your bed without
+doing any harm.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, yes&#8217;m, I&#8217;ve made it
+already.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Made it already? When?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, when I got up, before
+breakfast.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mercy! Go right up and pull
+the clothes back. It must always
+air for an hour.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Poor Clematis went up and
+pulled the clothes back to air.</p>
+<p>&#8220;How can I help, if every
+single thing I do is wrong?&#8221;
+Clematis spoke crossly out the
+window at the robin on the edge
+of the roof.</p>
+<p>Then she felt a crumb in her
+pocket, and pushed up the screen
+to throw it out.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_182' name='page_182'></a>182</span></p>
+<p>Mr. Robin flew away, and Mrs.
+Alder came in at that moment.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Dear child, what on earth
+have you put up that screen for?
+Do you want to fill the house
+with flies?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;No&#8217;m, I didn&#8217;t know&mdash;&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, well, never mind. You
+don&#8217;t know much, I guess. I
+promised to take you, and I&#8217;ll
+keep my word, but it&#8217;s no use
+trying to fit city children into
+real homes.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Mrs. Alder shut the screen with
+a bang.</p>
+<p>&#8220;There now, you run along
+out doors. I guess you and Mr.
+Alder will get along all right, but
+don&#8217;t touch anything.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hello, it looks like rain.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_183' name='page_183'></a>183</span>
+What&#8217;s the trouble, sister?&#8221;</p>
+<p>Mr. Alder smiled and pinched
+her cheek, as he met Clematis at
+the back door.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I tried to help,&#8221; said Clematis,
+drying her eyes.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I see. You didn&#8217;t do
+things quite right, did you? Well,
+I wouldn&#8217;t fret about that. I
+don&#8217;t do things quite right, myself.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis smiled through her
+tears.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come on now, and help me
+pick some late peas for dinner.
+You will like that, I am sure.&#8221;</p>
+<p>He took her hand, and soon
+she was happy again.</p>
+<p>&#8220;There, you picked two quarts,
+and did it well, too. Now take
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_184' name='page_184'></a>184</span>
+these up to Mrs. Alder, and
+tell her you can shell them out,
+every one, without hurting a
+thing.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh,&#8221; said Mrs. Alder, in the
+kitchen. &#8220;You think you can
+shell peas, do you? Well, take
+them out under the maple tree.
+Then I won&#8217;t have the pods all
+around the kitchen.&#8221;</p>
+<p>And Clematis proved that she
+could shell peas, after all.</p>
+<p>Mrs. Alder gave her a cookie
+for her pay, and said she had
+done very well.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I guess you&#8217;ll get along all
+right, if you stay out doors,&#8221;
+she said.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Thanks,&#8221; said Clematis, eating
+the cookie as she went out.
+She was glad enough to stay out
+doors.</p>
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<img src='images/i10.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 304px; height: 462px;' /><br />
+<p class='caption' style='margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;width: 304px;'>
+Clematis watched the little fishes by the shore<br />
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_185' name='page_185'></a>185</span></div>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll help Mr. Alder all the
+time,&#8221; she said to herself. &#8220;I&#8217;ll
+feed the pigs, and the hens, and
+I guess he&#8217;ll be glad I&#8217;m here.&#8221;</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='ONLY_A_FEW_DAYS_MORE' id='ONLY_A_FEW_DAYS_MORE'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_186' name='page_186'></a>186</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2>
+<h3>ONLY A FEW DAYS MORE</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Clematis did help Mr. Alder,
+and tried hard, in her way, to
+make herself useful.</p>
+<p>She helped Mrs. Alder too, for
+she went on errands to the village
+every time she was asked.</p>
+<p>Every day she went to the
+Post Office. She took home the
+letters and carried home bundles
+from the stores.</p>
+<p>Clematis loved this walk, because
+the road ran down by
+Knapp&#8217;s saw mill, and by the
+river.</p>
+<p>Near the stocking mill, the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_187' name='page_187'></a>187</span>
+river came right up to the road,
+and she could even see the little
+fish, in the clear water.</p>
+<p>Sometimes she stopped longer
+than she thought, and was late
+getting back, but Mrs. Alder did
+not scold her.</p>
+<p>&#8220;The less we expect of her,
+the less we shall be disappointed,&#8221;
+she would say.</p>
+<p>On Sunday, they all went
+down to church to hear Mr. Sampson
+preach.</p>
+<p>He smiled at her in his kindly
+way, when she went out.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Let me see, I don&#8217;t know
+your name, do I?&#8221; he asked,
+taking her hand.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s Clematis.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, Clematis, I&#8217;m glad to
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_188' name='page_188'></a>188</span>
+see you. I hope you will come
+again.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That little girl looks just like
+another little girl I used to know,&#8221;
+he said to Mr. Alder.</p>
+<p>&#8220;She is here for a week or two.
+Doctor Wyatt sent her up.&#8221; Mr.
+Alder whispered to him a minute,
+before they went away.</p>
+<p>&#8220;How would you like to
+take a long walk this afternoon,
+Clematis?&#8221; said Mr. Alder, while
+she was eating her ice cream and
+cake.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, yes, let&#8217;s.&#8221; Clematis
+was glad enough. She never
+liked Sundays very well.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Good, we can walk up Bean
+Hill, if you think you can go that
+far.&#8221;</p>
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<img src='images/i17.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 298px; height: 464px;' /><br />
+<p class='caption' style='margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;width: 298px;'>
+She could see the little fish<br />
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_189' name='page_189'></a>189</span></div>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I can walk farther than
+that.&#8221;</p>
+<p>So they started out, while Mrs.
+Alder lay down for a nap.</p>
+<p>They didn&#8217;t go by the road, but
+crossed the river in a boat that
+Mr. Alder kept tied to the bank.</p>
+<p>Then they walked through the
+trees and meadows by the path.</p>
+<p>Clematis was full of joy. New
+birds sang here. New trees, and
+new flowers met her at each turn.</p>
+<p>After they had walked about a
+mile, they came to a little cabin,
+set among maple trees.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Who lives here?&#8221; asked Clematis.
+It looked like the cabins
+she had seen in her picture books.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No one lives here now. This
+is where they boil down their sap
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_190' name='page_190'></a>190</span>
+in the spring. They make maple
+syrup, and maple sugar.&#8221;</p>
+<p>There were the big pans, turned
+upside down, and the pails that
+caught the sap.</p>
+<p>Her mouth watered as she
+thought of all the maple sugar
+they had made in that little cabin.
+She wanted to stay longer, but
+Mr. Alder started on.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We must get along, I want
+to see Mr. Brooks before we go
+home.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Who is Mr. Brooks?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mr. Brooks is a good man
+who lives over here on the side of
+Bean Hill. He lives all alone by
+himself.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh,&#8221; replied Clematis, &#8220;is he
+the man who owns the white
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_191' name='page_191'></a>191</span>
+house with the vines, and has had
+so much sadness?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes. How did you know
+about him?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mr. Ladd stopped near his
+house. He told me.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The walk was a long one, and
+Clematis was glad when she saw
+the little cottage on the hillside.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Here we are. There is Mr.
+Brooks now, working over his
+flowers.&#8221; Mr. Alder went over to
+the little garden, where a man with
+white hair was pulling out weeds.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Good day, Mr. Alder. Glad
+enough to see you. Come up
+and sit on the piazza.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Mr. Brooks smiled, as he wiped
+his hands.</p>
+<p>&#8220;And here is a lady, too,&#8221; he
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_192' name='page_192'></a>192</span>
+added. &#8220;I believe I have never
+met her.&#8221;</p>
+<p>He held out his hand to
+Clematis with a kindly smile, and
+led them to the piazza.</p>
+<p>Mr. Alder told him who she
+was, while Clematis was looking
+at the neat little cottage.</p>
+<p>A vine was growing about the
+door, with little white flowers,
+peeping out from its green leaves.</p>
+<p>Mr. Brooks saw her looking at it.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you like the flowers?&#8221; he
+asked.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes,&mdash;it is just the same.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;What do you mean? What
+is just the same?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, just the same vine as
+the one on the white house.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;She saw the old home place
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_193' name='page_193'></a>193</span>
+when she drove over with Mr.
+Ladd,&#8221; said Mr. Alder. &#8220;She
+remembered the vine.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am glad you like it. You
+ought to like it, Clematis, because
+it has your own name,&#8221; added
+Mr. Alder.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, well, is her name Clematis?&#8221;
+Mr. Brooks took her on
+his knee and looked into her face.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wish I had a little girl like
+you,&#8221; he said.</p>
+<p>She sat there on his knee, while
+he talked with Mr. Alder.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I hope you will come again,
+Clematis. You will, if you get a
+chance, won&#8217;t you?&#8221; Mr. Brooks
+said, as they started to go.</p>
+<p>He brought out a big, sweet
+pear, and put it into her hand.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_194' name='page_194'></a>194</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;You can eat that on the way
+home,&#8221; he said.</p>
+<p>All the way home Clematis
+kept thinking of Mr. Brooks, and
+the vine, and how he had looked
+into her face while she sat on his
+knee.</p>
+<p>She had never known any
+father or mother, and people
+didn&#8217;t have time to hold her that
+way at the Home.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Could we go again?&#8221; she
+asked, as they crossed the river.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, perhaps. We&#8217;ll see.&#8221;</p>
+<p>When they got home, Mrs.
+Alder was sitting on the back
+steps.</p>
+<p>Beside her, in the grass, lay
+three dead chickens.</p>
+<p>&#8220;How on earth did those
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_195' name='page_195'></a>195</span>
+chickens get killed?&#8221; asked Mr.
+Alder, as he took one in his
+hand.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why on earth did that child
+ever bring her old cat up here?
+That&#8217;s what I&#8217;d like to know.&#8221;
+Mrs. Alder was cross.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did Deborah do that? Dear
+me! We&#8217;ll have to shut her up
+in the loft.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s where she is, and
+that&#8217;s where she&#8217;ll stay,&#8221; said
+Mrs. Alder. &#8220;Remember now,
+Clematis. Don&#8217;t you let her
+get out again.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes&#8217;m,&#8221; said Clematis.</p>
+<p>She didn&#8217;t know what else to
+say, so she went sadly to the loft.
+There she found Deborah, sleeping
+sweetly, as if she had never
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_196' name='page_196'></a>196</span>
+done a thing wrong in the
+world.</p>
+<p>She sat down by the open window,
+and looked across the river
+valley, and across the lake, to the
+mountains.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh dear!&#8221; she sighed.</p>
+<p>She heard Mrs. Alder speaking.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t care, I think the Doctor
+was asking a good deal of us,
+to keep a strange child like that.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, Mary, never mind. It
+is only for a few days longer. I
+guess we can stand it. Think of
+the pleasure it gives Clematis.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Mr. Alder spoke kindly, but as
+Clematis heard the words, she
+turned pale.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Only a few days more. Only
+a few days more.&#8221; The words
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_197' name='page_197'></a>197</span>
+went through her mind again and
+again.</p>
+<p>She had never thought about
+going back. Two weeks seems a
+long, long time to little girls.
+Only a few days more before she
+must leave Tilton.</p>
+<p>Clematis put her elbows on the
+window sill, and rested her chin
+in her hands.</p>
+<p>The sun was setting behind
+the maple tree. The golden rays
+gleamed in the white mist that
+had risen from the river, for it
+was a cold evening.</p>
+<p>In the distance the Belmont
+mountains were a deep, misty
+blue, and the clouds above them
+all white and gold.</p>
+<p>Now all the valley was filling
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_198' name='page_198'></a>198</span>
+with a golden mist. The birds
+were singing in the trees along
+the banks of the river. They
+filled the evening air with joyous
+songs.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Only a few days more. Only
+a few days more.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Soon she must go back to the
+brick walls, and the yard with the
+high fence around it.</p>
+<p>When Mr. Alder came to call
+Clematis for supper, her eyes were
+red, and her cheeks pale.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Never mind, dear little girl,&#8221;
+he said. &#8220;We&#8217;ll keep Deborah
+shut up. I guess we can spare
+the chickens. We have plenty
+more.&#8221;</p>
+<p>She said nothing, but went
+silently in for the evening meal.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_199' name='page_199'></a>199</span>
+She had forgotten all about the
+chickens. All through supper
+the words ran in her head, and
+the last thing in her mind as she
+fell asleep was this thought:</p>
+<p>&#8220;Only a few days more.&#8221;</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='WHERE_IS_CLEMATIS' id='WHERE_IS_CLEMATIS'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_200' name='page_200'></a>200</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2>
+<h3>WHERE IS CLEMATIS?</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>On Monday Clematis found a
+big, blue envelope, with the other
+mail.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I guess you have a letter for
+your own self this time,&#8221; said
+Mr. Morse, as he handed her the
+mail.</p>
+<p>Clematis did not stop to look
+at the little fishes by the shore.
+She hurried straight home.</p>
+<p>It was a letter for her own self.
+Miss Rose sent it to her.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I wish I had learned to
+read. Please read mine first, Mrs.
+Alder?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_201' name='page_201'></a>201</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you think that is polite?&#8221;
+asked Mrs. Alder.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No&#8217;m, but you get lots of
+letters.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That is true. Well, let us
+see.&#8221;</p>
+<p>She opened the envelope, while
+Clematis got close to her side.</p>
+<div class='blockquot'>
+<p>&#8220;Dear little Clematis:</p>
+<p>I hope you are well, and having
+a good time. I am sure you must
+be having a splendid time, for
+Tilton is a lovely place. I wish
+I were with you.</p>
+<p>What a naughty girl you were
+to take Deborah, when she was
+not invited. I hope Mrs. Alder
+has forgiven you.</p>
+<p>I am going to ask Mrs. Alder
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_202' name='page_202'></a>202</span>
+to send you home on the afternoon
+train Saturday, so you
+will be all ready when school
+begins.</p>
+<p>I shall be at the train to meet
+you. Don&#8217;t forget Deborah.</p>
+<div class='ra'>
+<p style=' margin-right:3em;'>Your true friend,</p>
+<p>Rose Thornton.&#8221;</p>
+</div>
+
+</div>
+<p>&#8220;That is a good letter for a
+little girl to get, I am sure. Now
+run out and play, while I read
+my letters.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis went out, rather slowly.
+The letter made her think
+again of the end of her stay, and
+she was sad.</p>
+<p>But the sun was bright, the
+breeze was cool, and the birds sang
+merrily.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_203' name='page_203'></a>203</span></p>
+<p>She saw Mr. Alder down in the
+garden, and ran to him.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Can I help you, Mr. Alder?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think not. I am weeding
+late carrots, and I think you would
+not know them from weeds.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I should know them, honestly.
+Just let me try a little bit.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, then, take this little
+trowel. Make the earth loose
+around them, and then pull the
+weeds out with your fingers.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis kneeled in the soft
+earth, and began to work with the
+trowel.</p>
+<p>She weeded the row across from
+Mr. Alder, where he could see
+what she was doing.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I declare! You are a
+real gardener.&#8221; Mr. Alder patted
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_204' name='page_204'></a>204</span>
+her shoulder, and praised her well
+when she had done several feet of
+her row.</p>
+<p>The little green tops of the
+carrots all stood straight and clean.
+Every weed was gone, but no carrots
+were hurt.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I told you I could do it.
+You did not believe me, did you?&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis smiled happily.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I do now. I never
+saw any one do better.&#8221;</p>
+<p>So the man and the little girl
+worked side by side beneath the
+August sun.</p>
+<p>The smell of the warm earth,
+and the fresh growing things all
+around her, made Clematis breathe
+deeply.</p>
+<p>She could hear the birds singing,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_205' name='page_205'></a>205</span>
+and see the mountains, across
+the lakes.</p>
+<p>While she was hard at work,
+she almost forgot to be sad because
+she was going back on the
+Saturday train.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Just look at that child,&#8221; said
+Mrs. Alder, when they went in to
+wash for dinner. &#8220;Has she been
+weeding in her good clothes?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;She has weeded two whole
+rows of carrots, I know that much.
+I&#8217;ll get her some new clothes when
+those wear out. She is as much
+help at weeding as a man.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis was as proud of that,
+as Deborah was with her first rat.
+In the afternoon Mrs. Alder found
+her a pair of small overalls. These
+covered her dress and kept her clean.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_206' name='page_206'></a>206</span></p>
+<p>It was a happy child that came
+in at evening. She had worked
+steadily, in the hot sun and the
+breeze, and had finished all the
+carrots.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You don&#8217;t know how much
+help that has been, Clematis,&#8221;
+said Mr. Alder. &#8220;It tires my
+back to weed carrots, and now
+they are all done.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I will weed tomorrow, too,&#8221;
+she said, happy with her praise.</p>
+<p>There was plenty to do, as
+there always is on a farm, and
+Clematis was busy all day.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t see how she learns so
+quickly,&#8221; exclaimed Mr. Alder,
+when he was telling Mr. Ladd
+about her.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I suppose it is because she
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_207' name='page_207'></a>207</span>
+naturally loves it,&#8221; he answered.
+&#8220;It seems too bad that she couldn&#8217;t
+live here in the country, she seems
+to love it so.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes. I wish Mrs. Alder was
+better, and took to children more.
+Clematis is clumsy in the house,
+but out in the garden she is right
+at home.&#8221;</p>
+<p>So the days went on, with sunshine
+and clouds, and Saturday
+came nearer and nearer.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Clematis, what have you been
+doing to the calendar in your
+room?&#8221; asked Mrs. Alder, at dinner
+on Friday.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I was just looking to see how
+many days till Saturday.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you needn&#8217;t muss it up
+that way.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_208' name='page_208'></a>208</span></p>
+<p>Every morning Clematis had
+taken it down and counted the
+days with her fingers.</p>
+<p>Friday evening she did not eat
+much supper, and was very silent.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Longing to get back home, I
+guess,&#8221; said Mrs. Alder. &#8220;Well,
+dear, you will be back with the
+other children tomorrow. I
+know what it is. I was homesick
+myself when I was a child.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis did not answer. She
+didn&#8217;t know how to tell what it
+was that troubled her, so she
+said nothing.</p>
+<p>The stars were bright, and the
+tiny moon was low in the sky,
+before the weary eyes closed in
+sleep.</p>
+<p>Clematis had been thinking,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_209' name='page_209'></a>209</span>
+and thinking. Tomorrow was
+Saturday.</p>
+<p>Early in the morning she was
+awake again, by the window.</p>
+<p>She leaned her head on her
+hands, and began to think again.</p>
+<p>&#8220;That is what he said,&#8221; she
+repeated, half aloud.</p>
+<p>&#8220;That is just what he said.
+If he didn&#8217;t mean it, why did he
+say it?&#8221;</p>
+<p>At the breakfast table, Mrs.
+Alder noticed how pale her cheeks
+were.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Try to eat some toast, dear,&#8221;
+said Mrs. Alder. &#8220;You will soon
+be home again. Only a few
+hours more now.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis raised her eyes, and
+gave Mrs. Alder a strange look.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_210' name='page_210'></a>210</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;That child does beat all,&#8221;
+said Mrs. Alder, after breakfast.
+&#8220;She seems to be thinking a lot, but
+she keeps as quiet as a stone jug.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;She is thinking; you may be
+sure of that,&#8221; Mr. Alder replied.</p>
+<p>All the morning Clematis went
+about silently, except when she
+was in the loft with Deborah.
+Then she talked.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I shan&#8217;t be afraid. I am a
+big girl, Debby, and I shan&#8217;t be
+a mite afraid.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Deborah could not speak, but
+she snuggled up close, and purred,
+so Clematis knew just what she
+meant.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Be sure to have all your
+things ready, Clematis,&#8221; called
+Mrs. Alder.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_211' name='page_211'></a>211</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;We shall have an early dinner,
+for Mr. Ladd will be here
+about one o&#8217;clock to take you to
+the station.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes&#8217;m,&#8221; said Clematis, and
+she went slowly to her room.</p>
+<p>Before long, all was ready, and
+dinner was on the table.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, let&#8217;s eat a big dinner.
+I roasted a chicken especially for
+you.&#8221;</p>
+<p>How good the roast chicken
+smelled! There were baked potatoes,
+and peas, and beans, too.</p>
+<p>Clematis was hungry now.
+She ate, and ate, and ate.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Good girl.&#8221; Mr. Alder patted
+her on the head. &#8220;Travelers must
+be well fed.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Be sure to wash all the blueberry
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_212' name='page_212'></a>212</span>
+off your mouth,&#8221; added
+Mrs. Alder, as Clematis got down.</p>
+<p>Clematis went to the sink and
+washed her face and hands.
+Then she went to the back door.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t forget Deborah&#8217;s satin
+dress, and velvet hat?&#8221; called Mr.
+Alder.</p>
+<p>She turned and smiled back at
+him, as she went out.</p>
+<p>Soon Mr. Ladd drove up.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I came a bit early,&#8221; he said.
+&#8220;I&#8217;ve got some milk for the
+Seminary. Is Clematis ready?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, all ready, I guess. She
+just went out to get her cat.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Mrs. Alder went to the back
+door and called.</p>
+<p>She waited a minute, but
+Clematis did not come.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_213' name='page_213'></a>213</span></p>
+<p>She called again. No Clematis.
+&#8220;Please go and get her,
+Henry,&#8221; she said to Mr. Alder.
+&#8220;Tell her to come right in.&#8221;</p>
+<p>After a few minutes Mr.
+Alder came back. He looked
+puzzled.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, where is Clematis?&#8221;
+asked Mrs. Alder.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t know? Isn&#8217;t she in
+the loft?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;No.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, perhaps she went to
+say goodby to the pigs.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;She isn&#8217;t there.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;She must be around here
+somewhere. She has no wings;
+she can&#8217;t fly.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m not so sure of that.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_214' name='page_214'></a>214</span>
+Mr. Alder smiled in a puzzled
+way at Mr. Ladd.</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s just like you men.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Mrs. Alder went to the door
+and called as loudly as she could.
+Then she went to the barn and
+called again.</p>
+<p>She looked all about. Mr.
+Alder looked all about. Mr.
+Ladd looked all about.</p>
+<p>They all called once more.</p>
+<p>It was of no use. Clematis
+was gone.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='HUNTING_FOR_CLEMATIS' id='HUNTING_FOR_CLEMATIS'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_215' name='page_215'></a>215</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2>
+<h3>HUNTING FOR CLEMATIS</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Mr. Alder looked at Mr. Ladd.
+Mr. Ladd looked at Mrs. Alder.
+They all looked at each other.</p>
+<p>What should they do?</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well,&#8221; said Mrs. Alder at
+last, &#8220;you drive down street with
+Mr. Ladd and find out if any one
+has seen her. I will look all
+about the farm.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The men had not gone far down
+the street when they met a boy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hi, Ned! have you seen our
+little girl?&#8221; called Mr. Alder.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Who, Clematis? Have you
+lost her?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_216' name='page_216'></a>216</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;No, she has lost herself. Have
+you seen her?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;My gracious, no.&#8221; His blue
+eyes opened almost as wide as
+butter plates.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, tell any one you see that
+she&#8217;s lost; that&#8217;s a good boy.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;My gracious, I guess I will.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Off ran little Ned Atkinson, as
+fast as his legs would carry him.</p>
+<p>He told every one he met, but
+no one had seen Clematis.</p>
+<p>Not far down the street Mr.
+Knapp came rolling out of his yard.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Have you seen that little girl
+of ours, Mr. Knapp?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, yes. I saw her. She&#8217;s
+a likely gal. Quite spry.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where was she?&#8221; Both men
+spoke at once.</p>
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<img src='images/i11.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 300px; height: 462px;' /><br />
+<p class='caption' style='margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;width: 300px;'>
+&#8220;I sha&#8217;n&#8217;t be afraid&#8221;<br />
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_217' name='page_217'></a>217</span></div>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, right along here, yesterday
+morning.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I mean today. Have you
+seen her today?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, no, I haven&#8217;t set eyes on
+her today. What&#8217;s the matter?
+Is she lost?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It looks as if she were lost.
+We can&#8217;t find her.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, she&#8217;ll be back.</p>
+<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>&#8216;Let &#8217;em alone,</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>And they&#8217;ll come home,</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>Wagging their tails behind them.&#8217;&#8221;</p>
+</td></tr></table>
+
+<p>They heard his great voice echo
+down the river, as they drove on.</p>
+<p>Nobody had seen Clematis.
+Nobody knew anything about her.</p>
+<p>Mrs. Alder looked everywhere
+at home.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_218' name='page_218'></a>218</span></p>
+<p>Her bag and box were neatly
+packed and ready, but there was
+no sign of the little girl who
+owned them.</p>
+<p>Many people were looking for
+Clematis that afternoon.</p>
+<p>Ned Atkinson ran everywhere,
+telling people about the lost girl.</p>
+<p>They looked in the woods and
+in the fields. They looked all
+along the river banks.</p>
+<p>When night came, they were
+still hunting, but had found no
+trace of Clematis.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t sleep a wink tonight,&#8221;
+said Mrs. Alder. &#8220;I think the
+child must be crazy, to run off
+like that.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t feel much like sleep
+myself,&#8221; Mr. Alder replied.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_219' name='page_219'></a>219</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I wonder where she can be
+hiding.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The next morning many people
+came to ask if Clematis had been
+found.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, no, no. There isn&#8217;t a
+sign of her anywhere. I don&#8217;t
+know what we shall do.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Mrs. Alder made the same
+answer to every one.</p>
+<p>During the day people still
+looked about in new places.</p>
+<p>Afternoon came again, but no
+Clematis came with it.</p>
+<p>Towards evening, Mr. Brooks
+was sitting in his chair by his
+little cottage, reading a book.</p>
+<p>The sun was sinking behind
+the mountains in the west.</p>
+<p>The birds were singing their
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_220' name='page_220'></a>220</span>
+evening songs, in the trees by the
+brook.</p>
+<p>All was quiet and peaceful.</p>
+<p>As he sat there, Mr. Brooks
+heard steps on the path.</p>
+<p>He looked down and saw a
+little girl. In her arms was a cat,
+with a black spot over one eye.</p>
+<p>The child stumbled as she
+walked. She seemed ready to
+drop, she was so tired.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, little girl, where did you
+come from?&#8221; cried Mr. Brooks.</p>
+<p>He got up and went down to
+meet her.</p>
+<p>Then she raised her pale face,
+and he saw that it was Clematis.
+Her face and hands were soiled;
+her hair was tangled; her dress
+was dusty and torn.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_221' name='page_221'></a>221</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, little maid,&#8221; he said.
+&#8220;Did you walk way over here to
+see me?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes,&#8221; said Clematis, faintly.
+&#8220;I said I would, and I did.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Dear child, you are worn out.
+Come in and rest.&#8221;</p>
+<p>He took her into the little
+house, and got a basin and
+water.</p>
+<p>&#8220;There, dear, wash your face
+and hands. You will feel better.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now sit down, Clematis,&#8221;
+said Mr. Brooks, when she had
+finished washing her face and
+hands, &#8220;and we will have a bite
+to eat.&#8221;</p>
+<p>He cut a slice of bread. On
+this he spread some butter, and
+sprinkled a little sugar.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_222' name='page_222'></a>222</span></p>
+<p>Clematis watched him with
+hungry eyes.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Dear child, you must be
+starved,&#8221; he said, as she took a
+great bite.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Wouldn&#8217;t you be hungry if
+you hadn&#8217;t had any breakfast or
+dinner?&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis took another big bite.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No breakfast? No dinner?
+Where have you been all day?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I stayed in the little house
+where they boil the sap.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The bread was nearly gone
+now.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did you run away this morning?&#8221;</p>
+<p>Mr. Brooks was cutting another
+slice.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, I stayed there last night.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_223' name='page_223'></a>223</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;You stayed there all last
+night? Child! I should think
+you would have frozen. There
+was frost last night.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I did freeze,&#8221; said Clematis,
+beginning on the second slice.</p>
+<p>Mr. Brooks looked at her a
+moment in silence, while she ate.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I never heard anything to
+beat that,&#8221; he said at last, as he
+reached once more for the bread.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mrs. Alder will be very
+anxious.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis shook her head.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No she won&#8217;t. She&#8217;ll be glad
+I&#8217;m gone.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Mr. Brooks smiled.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, Mr. Alder will, anyway.
+As soon as you have eaten a few
+loaves of bread, I&#8217;ll get Mr. Giles&#8217;s
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_224' name='page_224'></a>224</span>
+horse. They will be glad enough
+to see you again.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis put down her bread.
+Her lips quivered, and her eyes
+filled with tears.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t you want me?&#8221; she
+said.</p>
+<p>&#8220;My dear child, what do you
+mean?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You said you wished you had
+a little girl.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did I say that?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, you said you wished you
+had a little girl, and you can have
+me. Nobody wants me, except
+you.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I can make my bed, and wash
+dishes, and I don&#8217;t say slang words
+any more, and I can weed everything
+in your garden.&#8221;</p>
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<img src='images/i18.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 303px; height: 464px;' /><br />
+<p class='caption' style='margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;width: 303px;'>
+In Grandfather&#8217;s house<br />
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_225' name='page_225'></a>225</span></div>
+<p>Poor Clematis, she had never
+said so much at one time in her
+life.</p>
+<p>Then she burst into tears. She
+was tired, and worn, and faint.</p>
+<p>Mr. Brooks took her into his
+lap. He hardly knew what to
+say to comfort her.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Have you no father or
+mother?&#8221; he asked.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No,&#8221; she sobbed, &#8220;I haven&#8217;t
+anybody at all.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You see I am all alone here.
+I haven&#8217;t any good place to keep
+a little girl.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t care, I can sleep on
+the floor.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Her eyes were drooping, and
+she was growing quiet. Her head
+rested on his shoulder.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_226' name='page_226'></a>226</span></p>
+<p>Mr. Brooks was thinking what
+to say, when he looked down at
+her face.</p>
+<p>Her brown eyes were closed,
+and she was fast asleep.</p>
+<p>He held her there a while.
+Then he took her into the next
+room, and laid her on the bed.</p>
+<p>Covered with a warm blanket,
+she sighed softly, and sank into a
+deep slumber.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t take her home tonight.
+She ought to have a long, quiet
+sleep,&#8221; said Mr. Brooks to himself.</p>
+<p>He watched her a while. Then
+he went out, up the mountain to
+Mr. Giles&#8217;s house.</p>
+<p>There he telephoned to Atkinson&#8217;s
+store.</p>
+<p>In another minute a little boy
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_227' name='page_227'></a>227</span>
+was racing up the street. He
+called to every one on his way:</p>
+<p>&#8220;Clematis is found! Clematis
+is found! She&#8217;s up on Bean
+Hill.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Ned shouted at the top of his
+voice.</p>
+<p>Clematis would have been surprised,
+if she had seen how glad
+Mrs. Alder was to know that she
+was safe.</p>
+<p>They sent a message to Miss
+Rose, and told her that Clematis
+was found.</p>
+<p>Every one was glad. Every
+one asked how she ever got way
+up there on Bean Hill, but no
+one knew.</p>
+<p>All this time Clematis was
+sleeping quietly.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_228' name='page_228'></a>228</span></p>
+<p>When Mr. Brooks returned,
+she had not stirred.</p>
+<p>He stood and looked at her a
+long, long time.</p>
+<p>When he turned away there
+were tears in his eyes.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Poor little elf,&#8221; he whispered.
+&#8220;She thought I meant just what
+I said.&#8221;</p>
+<p>He spread some blankets on
+the floor, and lay down, but he
+did not go to sleep.</p>
+<p>His thoughts went back to a
+book he had been reading.</p>
+<p>It was about Silas Marner, a
+man who was sad and lonely.</p>
+<p>Silas Marner took a little girl
+into his tiny house to care for,
+and she made his life happy
+again.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_229' name='page_229'></a>229</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Silas Marner did not have so
+large a home as this,&#8221; he thought.
+&#8220;But he took good care of the
+little girl. How happy they were
+together.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The little face, all wet with
+tears, came before him again and
+again.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I might keep her for a little
+while, at least,&#8221; he said to himself.
+&#8220;I will see what Mr. Alder
+thinks in the morning.&#8221;</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='NEW_PLANS' id='NEW_PLANS'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_230' name='page_230'></a>230</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2>
+<h3>NEW PLANS</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>When Mr. Brooks woke in the
+morning, Clematis was already
+up. She had washed her face
+and hands at the spring, near the
+door, and was sitting on the step.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oho, so the little bird woke
+first, did she?&#8221; said Mr. Brooks.</p>
+<p>Clematis nodded, and looked
+up shyly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I was thinking about you last
+night before I went to sleep. Suppose
+I should keep you with me
+for a little while. Do you think
+you would like that?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I would help like anything,&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_231' name='page_231'></a>231</span>
+she cried. &#8220;You just try
+me, and see.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I will talk to Mr.
+Alder, and perhaps you can stay
+for a while, at least.&#8221;</p>
+<p>So Mr. Brooks talked with Mr.
+Alder. Then he wrote to Mrs.
+Snow.</p>
+<p>Yes, Clematis might stay a
+week.</p>
+<p>How hard she tried!</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll wash and wipe all the
+dishes,&#8221; she said.</p>
+<p>The very first day she broke a
+cup. Then she cried.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Dear me, don&#8217;t feel bad
+about that. You are doing the
+best you can, I know.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Mr. Brooks laughed, and Clematis
+smiled again.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_232' name='page_232'></a>232</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Men don&#8217;t care so much
+about dishes,&#8221; she said to herself.</p>
+<p>To be sure, Clematis had not
+learned to do much, but she had
+learned to do her best.</p>
+<p>Mr. Brooks found that she
+could help in many ways, and she
+was so anxious to do her best,
+that he gladly forgave her mistakes.</p>
+<p>He made her a little bed in
+the room upstairs.</p>
+<p>At evening, she could hear the
+wind whispering in the trees, and
+the little brook that ran down
+from the spring.</p>
+<p>In the morning, she could see
+the lakes and mountains across
+the valley, as she sat by her open
+window, while the birds hopped
+about on the twigs, and sang
+their sweetest songs.</p>
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<img src='images/i12.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 305px; height: 463px;' /><br />
+<p class='caption' style='margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;width: 305px;'>
+A little girl was coming up the path<br />
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_233' name='page_233'></a>233</span></div>
+<p>Deborah slept each night in
+a little box close by her bed,
+and followed her about all day
+long.</p>
+<p>The week passed very quickly.
+On Friday, Mr. Brooks saw that
+she was silent and thoughtful.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t think I can spare you
+yet,&#8221; he said at breakfast. &#8220;I
+must ask Mrs. Snow to let you
+stay another week, at least.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Clematis was never so happy.
+She smiled and hummed a little
+song all the morning. Now and
+then she would stop to pat
+Deborah, who slept by the stove.</p>
+<p>&#8220;He is going to let me stay
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_234' name='page_234'></a>234</span>
+another week, Debby!&#8221; she would
+whisper. &#8220;Another week, another
+whole week.&#8221;</p>
+<p>This week was passing also,
+when Clematis had a great surprise.</p>
+<p>It was a letter from Miss Rose.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, read it to me, read it to
+me!&#8221; she exclaimed, as she climbed
+up into Mr. Brooks&#8217;s lap.</p>
+<p>So he opened the envelope and
+read:</p>
+<div class='blockquot'>
+<p>&#8220;Dear Clematis:</p>
+<p>Mr. Brooks has asked us if he
+might keep you for a year. Do
+you think you would like to
+stay?</p>
+<p>I shall go to see you in Tilton
+next week, so you must be thinking
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_235' name='page_235'></a>235</span>
+it over, and decide if you
+really want to stay?</p>
+<div class='ra'>
+<p style=' margin-right:3em;'>Your true friend,</p>
+<p>Rose Thornton.&#8221;</p>
+</div>
+
+</div>
+<p>After he had finished, Clematis
+was silent for a moment. Then
+she looked up at him with a happy
+smile.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Please read it again,&#8221; she said.</p>
+<p>So he read it again, while she
+sat still in his lap.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you think you would really
+like to stay?&#8221; he asked, when he
+had finished.</p>
+<p>Clematis patted his hand, and
+snuggled her face against his
+shoulder.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Can Debby stay, too?&#8221; she
+asked.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_236' name='page_236'></a>236</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course she can. We
+couldn&#8217;t get along without
+Debby.&#8221;</p>
+<p>That night Clematis looked
+out at the golden light, just fading
+from the mountains.</p>
+<p>A star was twinkling in the
+sky. The brook was bubbling
+down among the trees, and the
+wind hummed a little tune in
+their soft branches.</p>
+<p>She was very happy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am going to be happy
+always now,&#8221; she said.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='THE_TRUE_FAIRY_STORY' id='THE_TRUE_FAIRY_STORY'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_237' name='page_237'></a>237</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2>
+<h3>THE TRUE FAIRY STORY</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>The next week they got Mr.
+Giles&#8217;s horse, and drove down to
+meet Miss Rose at the station.</p>
+<p>How glad Clematis was to see
+her!</p>
+<p>She sat in her lap all the way
+back to Bean Hill, and told her
+about the mountains, the lakes,
+the trees, and the birds.</p>
+<p>&#8220;So you think you would like
+to stay a whole year, do you?&#8221;
+asked Miss Rose.</p>
+<p>Clematis smiled and nodded.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Deborah can stay too,&#8221; she
+said.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_238' name='page_238'></a>238</span></p>
+<p>When they got to the little
+cottage, Miss Rose went in with
+Mr. Brooks, and had a long
+talk.</p>
+<p>She told him all she knew about
+Clematis.</p>
+<p>He listened while she told him
+how Clematis ran away, how the
+policeman found her, and how she
+came to the Home.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Have you any trace of her
+father and mother?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, they said the father&#8217;s
+name was Jones, but I am not
+sure that was her father&#8217;s true
+name. Both her father and
+mother died when she was a baby,
+they say.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Mr. Brooks looked puzzled.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did the mother leave nothing
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_239' name='page_239'></a>239</span>
+when she died, that people might
+know her by?&#8221;</p>
+<p>Miss Rose reached into her
+little black bag and brought out
+the picture. Mr. Brooks did not
+take it at first.</p>
+<p>&#8220;They said the father&#8217;s name
+was Jones; did they tell you his
+first name?&#8221; he asked.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, just Jones. I could learn
+no other name.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Miss Rose held out the picture,
+and Mr. Brooks&#8217;s hand trembled
+as he took it.</p>
+<p>After one look, he carried it to
+the window.</p>
+<p>There he held it to the light,
+and gazed at it a long time.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you see some one there
+you know?&#8221; asked Miss Rose.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_240' name='page_240'></a>240</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Wouldn&#8217;t you know your
+own daughter, if you saw her?&#8221;</p>
+<p>Miss Rose smiled. Then she
+saw tears in his eyes.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Please forgive me for smiling,&#8221;
+she said. &#8220;You reminded
+me so much of Clematis. She
+asks questions just like that.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, wouldn&#8217;t you expect her
+to be like her own grandfather?&#8221;</p>
+<p>Then Mr. Brooks smiled too.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Is she really your grandchild?&#8221;
+exclaimed Miss Rose.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, she is, she must be.
+This is her mother here.&#8221;</p>
+<p>He pointed to one of the girls
+in the picture.</p>
+<p>&#8220;This was taken in front of
+the Seminary, a year before she
+ran away to be married.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_241' name='page_241'></a>241</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, it seems just like a fairy
+story. I can hardly believe it.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Miss Rose looked again at the
+picture.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, it is like a fairy story,&#8221;
+Mr. Brooks replied. &#8220;Dear, wayward
+girl. She needn&#8217;t have run
+away. I would have gladly forgiven
+her.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then you will take Clematis
+to live with you, I suppose.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes indeed. I have wondered
+about that name, Clematis.
+Her mother loved flowers. She
+loved the clematis vine about the
+door most of all.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I suppose she named Clematis
+in memory of her dear old
+home,&#8221; said Miss Rose.</p>
+<p>Then Mr. Brooks told Miss
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_242' name='page_242'></a>242</span>
+Rose about the white house on
+the hill.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I suppose we ought to move
+back there, now,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Then
+Clematis can go to the Union
+School, and grow up like other
+children.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is wonderful. It is a fairy
+story, I am sure,&#8221; she replied,
+&#8220;for the fairies must have led
+Clematis to your door. She will
+be the happiest child alive, when
+we tell her.&#8221;</p>
+<p>And Clematis was the happiest
+girl alive, when they called her in
+and told her the whole story.</p>
+<p>She climbed into her grandfather&#8217;s
+lap, and held his hand,
+while Miss Rose told it just like a
+fairy tale.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_243' name='page_243'></a>243</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Are we going to live in the
+house where all the vines are?&#8221;
+she asked, when Miss Rose was
+done.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, dear, you are.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And I can stay there always?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, Clematis.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And will you be my grandpa
+always?&#8221;</p>
+<p>She looked up at Mr. Brooks.
+He smiled and kissed her hot
+cheek.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, little maiden. You shall
+be my housekeeper, and we shall
+be as happy as robins in an apple
+tree.&#8221;</p>
+<p>So Miss Rose went back to
+Boston, and told them all the
+story.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_244' name='page_244'></a>244</span></p>
+<p>The children made her tell it
+over and over again. They said
+it was better than any fairy tale
+they had ever read.</p>
+<p>&#8220;And did she really sleep out
+in the woods alone?&#8221; asked Sally.</p>
+<p>&#8220;And does her grandfather
+really and truly have a big white
+house on a hill?&#8221; asked Jane.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, yes, yes. It is all true,
+every word of it,&#8221; answered Miss
+Rose.</p>
+<p>Even Clematis could hardly
+believe it all, at first.</p>
+<p>She followed her grandfather
+all about, wherever he went, for
+fear he might fly away, and never
+come back.</p>
+<p>In the golden October, they
+moved up to the white house on
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_245' name='page_245'></a>245</span>
+the hill, grandfather, Clematis,
+and Deborah.</p>
+<p>There Clematis had the room
+over the porch, where the vines
+climbed around her window. She
+could look out each morning, and
+see the river, and the lakes, with
+the mountains beyond.</p>
+<p>She felt a little strange among
+all the new people she saw each
+day, and she had very much to
+learn. But Clematis learned the
+best thing of all, to do the best
+she could, and she soon grew into
+a sweet, useful girl.</p>
+<p>Her little friends loved her,
+and her teachers helped her, for
+she tried to please them, and
+never complained because things
+were not easy to do.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_246' name='page_246'></a>246</span></p>
+<p>When she heard that Sally
+and the other girls could hardly
+believe her story, she went and
+whispered to her grandfather.</p>
+<p>&#8220;May I?&#8221; she asked.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course you may,&#8221; he
+said, &#8220;as many as you want.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Then she wrote a letter all her
+own self. She invited all the
+girls her own age, at the Home,
+to visit her the next summer,
+and see for themselves.</p>
+<p>So if you ever go to Tilton,
+you must look about for a strong,
+happy girl, with big brown eyes,
+who studies her lessons, and
+works in the garden, and has the
+happiest time any girl ever had,
+with her grandfather, in the big
+white house on the hill.</p>
+<!-- generated by ppgen.rb version: 2.25 -->
+<!-- timestamp: Fri Sep 05 19:25:59 -0400 2008 -->
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Clematis, by Bertha B. Cobb and Ernest Cobb
+
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+</body>
+</html>
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@@ -0,0 +1,4843 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Clematis, by Bertha B. Cobb and Ernest Cobb
+
+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: Clematis
+
+Author: Bertha B. Cobb
+        Ernest Cobb
+
+Illustrator: A. G. Cram
+             Willis Levis
+
+Release Date: September 6, 2008 [EBook #26543]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CLEMATIS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+OTHER BOOKS
+BY BERTHA B. AND ERNEST COBB
+
+ARLO
+CLEMATIS
+ANITA
+PATHWAYS
+ALLSPICE
+DAN'S BOY
+PENNIE
+ANDRE
+ONE FOOT ON THE GROUND
+ROBIN
+
+----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+[Illustration: "Are you going to sit here all day, little girl?"]
+
+----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+CLEMATIS
+
+By
+BERTHA B. AND ERNEST COBB
+
+Authors of Arlo, Busy Builder's Book,
+Hand in Hand With Father Time, etc.
+
+With illustrations by
+A. G. Cram
+and
+Willis Levis
+
+G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS
+New York and London
+
+----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Copyright, 1917
+
+By BERTHA B. and ERNEST COBB
+
+Entered at Stationers' Hall, London
+for Foreign Countries
+
+Twenty-second Impression
+
+All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, must
+not be reproduced in any form without permission.
+
+Made in the United States of America
+
+----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Somerset, Mass.
+
+Dear Priscilla:
+
+You have taken such a fancy to little Clematis that we hope other
+children may like her, too. We may not be able to buy you all the
+ponies, and goats, and dogs, and cats that you would like, but we
+will dedicate the book to you, and then you can play with all the
+animals Clematis has, any time you wish.
+
+                                          With much love, from
+                                       Bertha B. and Ernest Cobb.
+
+To Miss Priscilla Cobb.
+
+----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+CONTENTS
+
+Chapter                                  Page
+     1.  Lost in a Big City                 1
+     2.  The Children's Home               16
+     3.  The First Night                   28
+     4.  Who is Clematis?                  41
+     5.  Clematis Begins to Learn          52
+     6.  Clematis Has a Hard Row to Hoe    61
+     7.  What Clematis Found               72
+     8.  A Visitor                         86
+     9.  The Secret                        97
+    10.  Two Doctors                      109
+    11.  A Long, Anxious Night            121
+    12.  Getting Well                     134
+    13.  Off for Tilton                   145
+    14.  The Country                      160
+    15.  Clematis Tries to Help           172
+    16.  Only a Few Days More             186
+    17.  Where is Clematis?               200
+    18.  Hunting for Clematis             215
+    19.  New Plans                        230
+    20.  The True Fairy Story             237
+
+----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+1. "Are you going to sit here all day, little girl?"
+2. "I don't want to stay here if you're going to throw my cat away."
+3. With Katie in the kitchen.
+4. Thinking of the land of flowers.
+5. Clematis held out her hand.
+6. Clematis is better.
+7. Off for Tilton.
+8. In the country at last.
+9. The little red hen.
+10. Clematis watched the little fishes by the shore.
+11. "I shan't be afraid."
+12. A little girl was coming up the path.
+13. Deborah was very hungry.
+14. "Didn't you ever peel potatoes?"
+15. "What are you sewing?"
+16. Clematis stuck one hand out.
+17. She could see the little fish.
+18. In Grandfather's house.
+
+----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+
+
+CLEMATIS
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+LOST IN THE BIG CITY
+
+
+It was early Spring. A warm sun shone down upon the city street. On
+the edge of the narrow brick sidewalk a little girl was sitting.
+
+Her gingham dress was old and shabby. The short, brown coat had lost
+all its buttons, and a rusty pin held it together.
+
+A faded blue cap partly covered her brown hair, which hung in short,
+loose curls around her face.
+
+She had been sitting there almost an hour when a policeman came
+along.
+
+"I wonder where that girl belongs," he said, as he looked down at
+her. "She is a new one on Chambers Street."
+
+He walked on, but he looked back as he walked, to see if she went
+away.
+
+The child slowly raised her big, brown eyes to look after him. She
+watched him till he reached the corner by the meat shop; then she
+looked down and began to kick at the stones with her thin boots.
+
+At this moment a bell rang. A door opened in a building across the
+street, and many children came out.
+
+As they passed the little girl, some of them looked at her. One
+little boy bent down to see her face, but she hid it under her arm.
+
+"What are you afraid of?" he asked. "Who's going to hurt you?"
+
+She did not answer.
+
+Another boy opened his lunch box as he passed, and shook out the
+pieces of bread, left from his lunch.
+
+Soon the children were gone, and the street was quiet again.
+
+The little girl kicked at the stones a few minutes; then she looked
+up. No one was looking at her, so she reached out one little hand
+and picked up a crust of bread.
+
+In a wink the bread was in her mouth. She reached out for another,
+brushed off a little dirt, and ate that also.
+
+Just then the policeman came down the street from the other corner.
+The child quickly bent her head and looked down.
+
+This time he came to where she sat, and stopped.
+
+"Are you going to sit here all day, little girl?" he asked.
+
+She did not answer.
+
+"Your mother will be looking for you. You'd better run home now,
+like a good girl. Where do you live, anyway?"
+
+He bent down and lifted her chin, so she had to look up at him.
+
+"Where do you live, miss? Tell us now, that's a good girl."
+
+"I don't know." The child spoke slowly, half afraid.
+
+"O come now, of course you know, a big girl like you ought to know.
+What's the name of the street?"
+
+"I don't know."
+
+"Ah, you're only afraid of me. Don't be afraid of Jim Cunneen now.
+I've a little girl at home just about your age."
+
+He waited for her to answer, but she said nothing.
+
+"Come miss, you must think. How can I take you home if you don't
+tell me where you live?"
+
+"I don't know."
+
+"Oh, dear me! That is all I get for an answer. Well then, I'll have
+to take you down to the station. May be you will find a tongue down
+there."
+
+As he spoke, he took hold of her arm to help her up. Then he tried
+one more question.
+
+"What is your name?"
+
+"My name is Clematis."
+
+As she spoke she moved her arm, and out from the coat peeped a
+kitten. It was white, with a black spot over one eye.
+
+"There, that is better," answered the policeman. "Now tell me your
+last name."
+
+"That is all the name I have, just Clematis."
+
+"Well then, what is your father's name?"
+
+"I haven't any father."
+
+"Ah, that is too bad, dear. Then tell me your mother's name." He
+bent down lower to hear her reply.
+
+"I haven't any mother, either."
+
+"No father? No mother?" The policeman lifted her gently to her feet.
+"Well miss, we won't stay here any longer. It is getting late."
+
+Just then the kitten stuck its head out from her coat and said,
+"Miew."
+
+It seemed very glad to move on.
+
+"What's that now, a cat? Where did you get that?"
+
+"It is my kitty, my very own, so I kept it. I didn't steal it. Its
+name is Deborah, and it is my very own."
+
+"Ah, now she is finding her tongue," said the policeman, smiling;
+while Clematis hugged the kitten.
+
+But the little girl could tell him no more, so he led her along the
+street toward the police station.
+
+Before they had gone very far, they passed a baker's shop.
+
+In the window were rolls, and cookies, and buns, and little cakes
+with jam and frosting on them.
+
+The smell of fresh bread came through the door.
+
+"What is the matter, miss?" The man looked down, as Clematis stood
+still before the window.
+
+She was looking through the glass, at the rolls, and cakes, and
+cookies.
+
+[Illustration: "I don't want to stay here if you are going to
+throw my cat away"]
+
+The policeman smelled the fresh bread, and it made him hungry.
+
+"Are you hungry, little girl?" he asked, looking down with a smile.
+
+"Wouldn't you be hungry if you hadn't had anything to eat all day
+long?" Clematis looked up at him with tears in her big brown eyes.
+
+"Nothing to eat all day? Why, you must be nearly starved!" As he
+spoke, the policeman started into the store, pulling Clematis after
+him.
+
+She was so surprised that she almost dropped her kitten.
+
+"Miew," said poor Deborah, as if she knew they were going to starve
+no longer. But it was really because she was squeezed so tight she
+couldn't help it.
+
+"Now, Miss Clematis, do you see anything there you like?"
+
+Jim Cunneen smiled down at Clematis, as she peeped through the glass
+case at the things inside.
+
+She stood silent, with her nose right against the glass.
+
+There were so many things to eat it almost took her breath away.
+
+"Well, what do you say, little girl? Don't you see anything you
+like?"
+
+"May I choose anything I want?"
+
+"Yes, miss. Just pick out what you like best."
+
+The lady behind the counter smiled, as the policeman lifted Clematis
+a little, so she could see better. There were cakes, and cookies,
+and buns, and doughnuts.
+
+"May I have a cream cake?" asked Clematis.
+
+"Of course you may. What else?" He lifted her a bit higher.
+
+"Miew!" said Deborah, from under her coat.
+
+"Oh, excuse me, cat," he said, as he set Clematis down. "I forgot
+you were there too."
+
+The woman laughed, as she took out a cream cake, a cookie with nuts
+on it, and a doughnut.
+
+"May I eat them now?" asked Clematis, as she took the bag.
+
+"You start right in, and if that's not enough, you can have more.
+But don't forget the cat."
+
+Jim Cunneen laughed with the baker woman, while Clematis began to
+eat the doughnut, as they started out.
+
+Before long they came to a brick building that had big doors.
+
+"Here we are," said the policeman. They turned, and went inside.
+
+There another policeman was sitting at a desk behind a railing.
+
+"Well, who comes here?" asked the policeman at the desk.
+
+"That is more than I know," replied Jim Cunneen. "I guess she's lost
+out of the flower show. She says her name is Clematis."
+
+Clematis said nothing. Her mouth was full of cream cake now, and a
+little cream was running over her fingers.
+
+Deborah was silent also. She was eating the last crumbs of the
+doughnut.
+
+"Is that all you could find out?" The other man looked at Clematis.
+
+"She says she has no father and no mother. Her cat is named Deborah.
+That is all she told me."
+
+"Oh, well, I guess you scared her, Jim. Let me ask her. I'll find
+out."
+
+The new policeman smiled at Clematis. "Come on now, sister," he
+said. "Tell us where you live. That's a good girl."
+
+Clematis reached up one hand and took hold of her friend's big
+finger. She looked at the new policeman a moment.
+
+"If you didn't know where you lived, how could you tell anyone?" she
+said.
+
+Jim Cunneen laughed. He liked to feel her little hand.
+
+"See how scared she is of me," he said. "We are old friends now."
+
+Again they asked the little girl all the questions they could think
+of. But it was of no use. She could not tell them where she lived.
+She would not tell them very much about herself.
+
+At last the Captain came in. They told him about this queer little
+girl.
+
+He asked her questions also. Then he said:
+
+"We shall have to send her to the Home. If anyone claims her he can
+find her there."
+
+So Clematis and Deborah were tucked into the big station wagon, and
+Jim Cunneen took her to the Home, where lost children are sheltered
+and fed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE CHILDREN'S HOME
+
+
+As they climbed the steps leading to the Home, Clematis looked up at
+the policeman.
+
+"What is this place?" she asked.
+
+"This is the Children's Home, miss. You will have a fine time
+here."
+
+A young woman with a kind face opened the door.
+
+The policeman did not go in. "Here is a child I found on Chambers
+Street," he said. "We can't find out where she lives."
+
+"Oh, I see," said the woman.
+
+"Could you take her in for a while, till we can find her parents?"
+
+"Yes, I guess we have room for her. Come in, little girl."
+
+At that moment there was a scratching sound, and Deborah stuck her
+head out.
+
+"Miew," said Deborah, who was still hungry. Perhaps she thought it
+was another bakery.
+
+"Dear me!" cried the young woman, "we can't have that cat in here."
+
+Clematis drew back, and reached for Jim Cunneen's hand.
+
+"It's a very nice cat, I'm sure," said the policeman.
+
+He felt sorry for Clematis. He knew how she loved her kitten.
+
+"But it's against the rules. The children can never have cats or
+dogs in here."
+
+Clematis, with tears in her eyes, turned away.
+
+"Come on," she said to her big friend. "Let us go."
+
+But Jim Cunneen drew her back. He loved little girls, and was also
+fond of cats.
+
+"Don't you think the cook might need it for a day or two, to catch
+the rats?" he asked, with his best smile.
+
+"Oh dear me, I don't know. I don't think so. It's against the rules
+for children to bring in pets."
+
+"Ah then, just wait a minute. I'll be right back."
+
+The policeman ran down the steps and around the corner of the house,
+while the young woman asked Clematis questions.
+
+"It's all right then, I'm sure," he called as he came back. "Katie
+says she would be very glad to have that cat to help her catch the
+rats."
+
+The young woman laughed; Clematis dried her tears, and Jim Cunneen
+waved his hand and said goodby.
+
+In another moment the door opened, and Clematis, with Deborah still
+in her arms, was in her new home.
+
+It was supper hour at the Children's Home. In the big dining room
+three long tables were set.
+
+At each place on the clean, bare table was a plate, a small yellow
+bowl, and a spoon.
+
+Beside each plate was a blue gingham bib.
+
+Jane, one of the girls in the Home, was filling the bowls on her
+table with milk from a big brown pitcher.
+
+Two little girls worked at each of the tables. While one filled the
+bowls, the other brought the bread.
+
+She put two thick slices of bread and a big cookie on each plate.
+
+The young woman who had let Clematis in, came to the table near the
+door.
+
+"There is a new girl at your table tonight, Jane," she said. "She
+will sit next to me."
+
+"All right, Miss Rose," answered Jane, carefully filling the last
+yellow bowl.
+
+"Please may I ring the bell tonight, Miss Rose?" asked Sally, who
+had been helping Jane.
+
+Miss Rose looked at the table. Every slice of bread and every cookie
+was in place.
+
+"Yes, dear; your work is well done. You may ring."
+
+At the sound of the supper bell, a tramping of many feet sounded in
+the long hall.
+
+The doors of the dining room were opened, and Mrs. Snow came in,
+followed by a double line of little girls.
+
+Each girl knew just where to find her place, and stood waiting for
+the signal to sit.
+
+A teacher stood at the head of each table, and beside Miss Rose was
+the little stranger.
+
+Mrs. Snow was the housemother. She asked the blessing, while every
+little girl bowed her head.
+
+Clematis stared about at the other children all this time, and
+wondered what they were doing.
+
+Now they were seated, and each girl buttoned her bib in place before
+she tasted her supper.
+
+Sally sat next to Clematis.
+
+"They gave you a bath, didn't they?" she said, as she put her bread
+into her bowl.
+
+Clematis nodded.
+
+"And you got a nice clean apron like ours, didn't you?"
+
+Clematis nodded again.
+
+"Oh, see her hair, it's lovely!" sighed a little girl across the
+table, who had short, straight hair.
+
+Clematis' soft brown curls were neatly brushed, and tied with a dark
+red ribbon.
+
+She did not look much like the child who came in an hour before.
+
+"What's her name?" asked Jane, looking at Miss Rose.
+
+"We'll ask her tomorrow. Now stop talking please, so she can eat her
+supper."
+
+At that, the little girl looked up at Miss Rose and said: "My name
+is Clematis, and my kitty's name is Deborah."
+
+Just as she said this, a very strange noise was heard. Every child
+stopped eating. Miss Rose turned red, and Mrs. Snow looked up in
+surprise.
+
+"Miew, miew, miew," came from under the table. In another minute a
+little head peeped over the edge of the table where Clematis sat. It
+was a kitten, with a black spot over one eye.
+
+"Miew, miew," Deborah continued, and stuck her little red tongue
+right into the yellow bowl. She was very hungry, and could wait no
+longer.
+
+[Illustration: Deborah was very hungry]
+
+Mrs. Snow rapped on the table, for every child laughed right out.
+What fun it was! No one had ever seen a cat in there before.
+
+"Miss Rose, will you kindly put that cat out. Put her out the front
+door." Mrs. Snow was very stern. She didn't wish any cats in the
+Home.
+
+Clematis looked at Mrs. Snow. Her eyes filled with tears, and she
+began to sob.
+
+Miss Rose turned as red as Deborah's tongue. She had not asked Mrs.
+Snow if she might let the cat in. She thought it would stay in the
+kitchen with Katie.
+
+"Did you hear me, Miss Rose? I wish you would please put the cat out
+the door. We can't have it here."
+
+Miss Rose started to get up, when Clematis slipped out of her chair,
+hugging Deborah tightly to her breast.
+
+The tears were running down her cheeks, as she started for the
+door.
+
+"Where are you going, little girl?" said Mrs. Snow.
+
+Clematis did not answer, but kept right on.
+
+"Stop her, Miss Rose. What is the matter, anyway? Dear me, what a
+fuss!"
+
+Miss Rose caught Clematis by the arm.
+
+"Wait, dear," she said. "Don't act like that. Answer Mrs. Snow."
+
+"I don't care," sobbed Clematis, looking back. "I don't want to stay
+here if you are going to throw my cat away."
+
+"I should have asked you, Mrs. Snow," said Miss Rose. "She had the
+kitten with her. She cried to bring it in, and Katie said she would
+care for it in the kitchen."
+
+"Oh, so that is it. Well, don't cry, child. Take it back to Katie,
+and tell her to keep the door shut."
+
+"She's hungry," said Clematis, drying her eyes on her sleeve.
+
+"Well, ask Katie to feed her then, and come right back to the
+table."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE FIRST NIGHT
+
+
+Supper was soon finished, with many giggles from the little girls,
+who hoped that Deborah would get in again.
+
+Clematis ate every crumb of her bread and cookie. Her yellow bowl
+looked as if Deborah had lapped it dry.
+
+"After supper, we play games. It's great fun," said Sally, as they
+were folding their bibs.
+
+The bell rang, and the long line of children formed once more.
+
+They marched out through the long hall, up the broad stairs to the
+play room.
+
+There were little tables, with low chairs to match. Some of the
+tables held games.
+
+In one corner of the room was a great doll house, that a rich lady
+had given to the Home.
+
+In another corner was a small wooden swing with two seats.
+
+A rocking horse stood near the window, and a box of bean bags lay on
+a low shelf near by.
+
+Soon all were playing happily, except Clematis, who stood near the
+window.
+
+She was looking at the trees, which were sending out red buds. The
+sun had set, and the sky was rosy with the last light of day.
+
+"Don't you want to play?" asked Miss Rose, coming across the room.
+
+Clematis shook her head.
+
+"What would you like to do, dear?"
+
+Clematis thought a moment.
+
+"I should like to help Katie in the kitchen. She must need some
+little girl."
+
+Miss Rose smiled. "If Clematis can get down into the kitchen, she
+can see her kitten," she thought. "She is a sly little puss
+herself."
+
+"I don't think you could go down tonight, but if you are a good girl
+I am sure Katie will want you to help her before long."
+
+Clematis smiled.
+
+"Come now, and I will ask Jane to show you the doll house."
+
+So the little girls took Clematis over to the doll house that stood
+in the corner.
+
+Jane opened the front door, so they could look in and see four
+pretty rooms.
+
+Lace curtains hung at the tiny windows. New rugs were on the
+floors.
+
+There was a tiny kitchen, with a tiny stove and tiny kettles, all
+just like your own house. It was enough to make any girl happy.
+
+It was so much fun that Clematis forgot to be sad, and was not ready
+to leave the doll house when the bell rang once more. It was
+bedtime.
+
+"That is the sleepy bell," said Jane, closing the door to the doll
+house, and running toward the stairs.
+
+Clematis was at the end of the row, as the girls went out of the
+playroom, and Miss Rose spoke as she passed through the door.
+
+"I will show you where you are to sleep, my dear. You go with the
+other children, and I'll come in a few minutes."
+
+Clematis followed the other children up the stairs to the sleeping
+rooms.
+
+Miss Rose soon came, and together they went to the room at the end
+of the hall.
+
+How sweet that room looked to the tired little stranger!
+
+A white iron bed stood against the wall, near the window. A small
+table held a wash basin and pitcher. There was a cup and soap dish,
+too.
+
+Two clean towels hung near by.
+
+Best of all was the little white bureau, with a mirror. The mirror
+had a white frame.
+
+There was a pink rug before the bureau, and beside the bureau was a
+white chair.
+
+"Oh, my!" cried Clematis, "see the flowers on the wall!" The pink
+wall paper was covered with white roses and their green leaves.
+
+Miss Rose took a white nightdress from the bureau, and laid it on
+the bed.
+
+"Now, Clematis, I shall give you just ten minutes to undress. When I
+come back I want you to be all ready for me."
+
+Miss Rose went out, and Clematis started on her shoes.
+
+"I guess she don't know how fast I can undress," she said to
+herself.
+
+When Miss Rose came back, in ten minutes, she found Clematis already
+in bed, and half asleep.
+
+"Why Clematis, this will never do!" Miss Rose pulled back the sheet
+and made Clematis sit up.
+
+There, beside the bed, was a pile of clothes. There were the
+stockings, just as she had pulled them off.
+
+The boots were thrown down on the clean gingham dress, and the fresh
+apron was sadly crushed.
+
+"I am sorry, little girl," said Miss Rose, "but you will have to get
+right up."
+
+"Why?" asked Clematis.
+
+"No little girl can go to bed without washing her face and hands. No
+little girl can leave her clothes like this."
+
+"Isn't this my room?" said Clematis, slowly getting out of bed.
+
+"It is for tonight. We always let a new child sleep alone the first
+night."
+
+"Wasn't I quick in getting into bed? Why must I get up?"
+
+"Look, dear. Look at that pile of clothes."
+
+"Oh, I always leave them there," replied Clematis. "Then I know just
+where to find them in the morning."
+
+"We don't do so here, Clematis. Now please pick up the clothes, fold
+them, and put them on the chair.
+
+"Then put your boots under the chair, and take off your pretty hair
+ribbon."
+
+Clematis gathered the clothes together, but she was not happy.
+
+"I know you are tired, dear, but I am tired too, and we must do
+things right, even if we are tired.
+
+"Now I must show you how to wash, and brush your teeth, and then
+have you say your prayers, before I can leave you."
+
+"Oh bother!" sighed Clematis.
+
+"No, we mustn't say words like that. Come now, we will get washed."
+
+Miss Rose poured some water from the pitcher, and made Clematis wash
+her hands, and arms, and face, carefully. Then she took a toothbrush
+from a box and gave it to her.
+
+"What is this for?" asked Clematis.
+
+"Why dear," answered Miss Rose in surprise, "that is a tooth
+brush."
+
+"A tooth brush! Why, there is no hair on my teeth."
+
+Miss Rose laughed. "No dear, perhaps not, but we must brush them
+carefully each night with water, or they will soon be aching."
+
+"Will that stop teeth from aching?"
+
+"Yes indeed, it will help very much to keep them from aching."
+
+"All right, then." Clematis began to brush her teeth. "My teeth
+ached last week. I nearly died," she answered.
+
+The teeth were cleaned, and Clematis was ready for bed.
+
+"Now dear, let us say our prayers."
+
+"I don't know any prayers."
+
+Miss Rose looked at Clematis in pity. "Don't you really know any
+prayers at all?"
+
+"Would you know any prayers if you had never learned any?"
+
+Miss Rose smiled sadly.
+
+"Well, then," she said, "we will learn the Lord's Prayer, and then
+you will know the most beautiful prayer of all."
+
+They knelt down together, and Clematis said over the words after
+Miss Rose.
+
+"Now good night, dear, and pleasant dreams," said Miss Rose, as she
+tucked her in.
+
+"Good night," said Clematis.
+
+The door closed, and all was dark.
+
+The maple trees swayed gently outside the window.
+
+They nodded to Clematis, as she watched them with sleepy eyes.
+
+One little star peeped in at her through the maple tree.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+WHO IS CLEMATIS?
+
+
+The bright sun was shining on the red buds of the maple tree when
+Clematis woke the next morning.
+
+It was early. The rising bell had not rung. Clematis got up and
+looked out of the open window.
+
+She could see nothing but houses across the street, but the buds of
+the maple were beautiful in the sun.
+
+"I wish I had some of those buds to put in my room," said Clematis
+to herself.
+
+She took her clothes, and began to dress. While she was dressing,
+she looked again at the maple buds, and wanted them more than ever.
+
+"If I reached out a little way, I could get some of those, I just
+know I could," she thought.
+
+As soon as she got her shoes on she pushed the window wide open.
+
+She leaned out. Some beautiful buds were very near, but she could
+not quite reach them.
+
+She leaned out a little farther. Then she climbed upon the window
+sill.
+
+They were still out of her reach.
+
+For a minute she stopped. Then she put one foot out in the gutter.
+With one hand she held the blind, and reached out to the nearest
+branch.
+
+At last she had it. She drew it nearer, and broke off a piece with
+many buds.
+
+As the piece broke off, the branch flew back again to its place, and
+Clematis almost fell back through the window to the floor.
+
+She patted the red buds and made a little bunch of them. She filled
+her cup with water and put the buds in it; then she put it on the
+bureau.
+
+Clematis was looking proudly at them, when the door opened, and Miss
+Rose came in.
+
+She looked at Clematis, and then at the buds.
+
+"Why, Clematis!" she said.
+
+Then she looked out the window. There, several feet beyond the
+window, was the broken end. Drops of sap were running from the white
+wood.
+
+"How did you get those buds?" asked Miss Rose.
+
+"I reached out of the window," said Clematis, "why, was that
+stealing?"
+
+Miss Rose gasped.
+
+"Clematis, do you mean to tell me that you climbed out of the window
+and reached for that branch?"
+
+Clematis nodded. Tears came into her eyes. She must have done
+something very wrong, but she did not know just what was so wicked
+about taking a small branch from a maple tree.
+
+"I didn't know it was stealing," she sobbed.
+
+"It isn't that, Clematis. It is not wrong to take a twig, but think
+of the danger. Don't you know you might have fallen and killed
+yourself?"
+
+Clematis wiped her eyes on her sleeve.
+
+"Oh, that's nothing," she said, "I had hold of the blind all the
+time. I couldn't fall."
+
+"Now, Clematis, no child ever did such a thing before, and you must
+never, never, do it again. Do you understand?"
+
+"Yes'm."
+
+"Do you promise?"
+
+"Yes'm."
+
+"Well then, let's get ready for breakfast."
+
+Clematis washed her face and hands, brushed her hair, and cleaned
+her teeth carefully.
+
+Soon she was ready to go down stairs, and took one of the maple buds
+to put in her dress.
+
+As they went out, Miss Rose saw that she wanted to say something.
+
+"Do you want something?" she said.
+
+"Can I help Katie this morning?"
+
+"After breakfast I will ask Mrs. Snow, but breakfast is almost ready
+now."
+
+Just then the breakfast bell rang, and Clematis marched in with the
+other children. She was thinking about Deborah, and wondering if she
+had caught any rats.
+
+For breakfast they had baked apples, oatmeal with milk, and rye
+gems.
+
+It did not take them long to eat this. Soon they were through, and
+ready for the morning work.
+
+As they were getting up, Mrs. Snow came to speak to Miss Rose.
+
+Clematis held her breath when she heard what was said.
+
+"Perhaps this little girl would like to go down and play with her
+kitten a while. We can find some work for her by and by."
+
+"Oh yes," said Clematis, "I would."
+
+"Well, you can tell Katie I said you might. Be sure not to get in
+her way."
+
+Off ran Clematis to the kitchen, to find her dear Deborah.
+
+There she was, curled up like a little ball under the stove.
+
+She looked with sleepy eyes at Clematis, and crawled down into her
+lap.
+
+Then Clematis smoothed her and patted her, till she purred her very
+sweetest purr.
+
+"Ah," said Katie. "It's a fine cat. It caught a big rat in the
+night, and brought it in, as proud as pie."
+
+"Do you think they will let me keep her?" asked Clematis.
+
+"Oh, I guess so. If she catches the rats, she will be welcome here.
+You can be sure of that. I hate rats."
+
+While Clematis and Deborah were having such a good time in the
+kitchen, Mrs. Snow took Miss Rose to her room.
+
+"Well, Miss Rose, have you found out anything about that strange
+little child?"
+
+"Not very much yet. She talks very little, and has had very little
+care."
+
+"What makes you think so?"
+
+"Why, the poor child didn't know what a tooth brush was for. She
+said she always left her clothes in a pile by the bed, because she
+could find them all in the morning."
+
+Mrs. Snow sighed.
+
+"Dear me, she will need much care, to teach her how to do things
+well. But I guess her folks will come for her before long."
+
+"I don't know who her folks can be. She has never learned any
+prayers."
+
+"Poor child, she must be a sad case." Mrs. Snow sighed again.
+
+"But she is very fearless. This morning, before I went to her room,
+she had climbed out of the window and broken off a piece of the
+maple tree with buds on it."
+
+"What, way up there at the roof?"
+
+"Yes, she said that was nothing, for she had hold of the blind."
+
+"What did she want the branch for?"
+
+"She wanted it for the red buds. She broke them off and put them in
+her cup, like flowers."
+
+"Well, Miss Rose, take her out to walk this afternoon, and ask her
+some questions. Perhaps you can find out where she lives."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+CLEMATIS BEGINS TO LEARN
+
+
+Clematis played with Deborah all the morning. She forgot about
+helping Katie, and when Katie asked her if she wanted to help her
+peel some potatoes, she said:
+
+"I don't know how."
+
+[Illustration: "Didn't you ever peel potatoes?"]
+
+"Didn't you ever peel potatoes?" asked Katie.
+
+"No, I never had to do any work."
+
+"Well, you will have to be doing some work round here. It's lucky
+for you that Mrs. Snow is good to little girls. You would have a
+hard row to hoe in some homes, believe me."
+
+Clematis was busy tying her hair ribbon round Deborah's neck, and
+did not answer.
+
+The morning went fast, and the dinner was ready before Clematis was
+ready to leave her kitten.
+
+For dinner they had soup, in the little yellow bowls, with a big
+piece of Johnny cake, and some ginger bread.
+
+As soon as dinner was over, Miss Rose brought Clematis a brown
+coat.
+
+It was not new, but it was neat and warm, much better than the one
+she had worn the day before.
+
+"Come, Clematis," she said, "I am going out to walk. Don't you want
+to go with me?"
+
+"Where are you going?" asked Clematis, shrinking back.
+
+"Oh, out in the park, and down by the river. I think you will like
+it."
+
+Clematis put on the coat as quickly as she could. Then she took Miss
+Rose by the hand.
+
+"Come on, let's go," she said.
+
+"You might wait till I get my coat and hat on." Miss Rose was
+laughing at her.
+
+Soon they were down by the river. Miss Rose sat on the gravel, while
+Clematis ran along the edge of the water.
+
+She sailed bits of wood for boats, and threw little stones in, to
+see the rings they made. She was very, very happy.
+
+"Clematis," said Miss Rose, "don't you remember the street you lived
+on?"
+
+Clematis thought a minute.
+
+"How would you know the street you lived on if nobody ever told
+you?"
+
+Miss Rose thought a moment.
+
+"Don't you remember your mother's name?"
+
+Clematis shook her head.
+
+"I don't remember. It was a long time ago."
+
+"Do you mean she died a long time ago?"
+
+Miss Rose asked her some other questions. At last she said:
+
+"Well, tell me the name of the man you lived with."
+
+"His name was Smith."
+
+"Oh dear, there are so many Smiths, we shall never guess the right
+one. Dear me, Clematis. I don't know how we shall ever find your
+home."
+
+Clematis threw a big stone into the water, which made a big splash.
+
+"I hope you never will," she said.
+
+"Why, Clematis! Do you mean that you wish never to go back where you
+came from?"
+
+"Well, how would you like to live in a place where you had to stay
+in an old brick yard all day, and never saw even grass?"
+
+[Illustration: Thinking of the land of flowers]
+
+Miss Rose thought a while. Then she got up and started back to the
+Home.
+
+Clematis followed her slowly. She was sorry to go.
+
+That night Mrs. Snow talked with Miss Rose again.
+
+"She must have lived in the city," said Miss Rose. "She had to stay
+in a yard paved with bricks all day. She doesn't remember her
+parents at all. She ran away, that is sure."
+
+"I hardly know what to do," said Mrs. Snow, at last. "She can stay
+here for a while, and perhaps the people she lived with will find
+her here."
+
+So Mrs. Snow told the policeman what they had found out, and he said
+they would do the best they could to find her people.
+
+That night Clematis did not go to the little room near the maple
+tree to sleep. She went into the big room.
+
+Jane slept in the bed next to hers. Miss Rose told her to see that
+Clematis had what help she needed in going to bed.
+
+The day had been a busy one for Clematis. She was very sleepy.
+
+"I guess I won't bother with teeth and things tonight," she said to
+herself.
+
+So she pulled off her clothes, and got into bed.
+
+"Oh Clematis, you can't do that. You've got to pick up your clothes,
+and clean your teeth, and do lots of things."
+
+Jane came and shook her, as she snuggled under the clothes.
+
+"Oh, I'm too tired tonight. I'll do it tomorrow night."
+
+Clematis did not stir.
+
+Just then Miss Rose came into the sleeping room.
+
+She saw Jane trying to get Clematis out of bed. She also saw the
+pile of clothes.
+
+"Clematis, I can't have this. Get right out of bed, and do as I told
+you last night."
+
+She wanted children to obey her, and she had tried to be very kind
+to Clematis.
+
+The other children giggled, as Clematis got slowly out of bed.
+
+But Miss Rose frowned at them.
+
+"You see that she does every single thing she ought," said Miss Rose
+to Jane, "and if she doesn't, you tell me."
+
+Then Miss Rose went away, and left the girls to get ready for bed.
+
+Poor Clematis had a hard time of it. The other girls made fun of
+her, because she was so clumsy and slow. At last she got her clothes
+folded up, and went to wash.
+
+"She isn't washing her neck and ears," said Jane to herself, "but I
+guess I won't tell."
+
+So at last Clematis got into bed again, and went to sleep.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+CLEMATIS HAS A HARD ROW TO HOE
+
+
+It was all Jane could do the next morning to make Clematis get up
+when the rising bell rang.
+
+"I don't want to get up yet," grumbled Clematis. "I will get up
+pretty soon."
+
+"No you won't either. You'll get up right off now. We have to be
+ready for breakfast in fifteen minutes."
+
+Jane pulled down the clothes, while the other girls laughed. Poor
+Clematis had to get up.
+
+At first she was cross, but when she looked out of the window, she
+smiled.
+
+From this window she could see way off to a beautiful hill, golden
+brown in the morning sun.
+
+Part way to the hill was a river. Its little waves shimmered and
+danced. Its shores were quite green already.
+
+Now Clematis was wide awake and happy. She started to dress.
+
+"Wash first," said Jane.
+
+Clematis started to grumble again, but when she looked into the
+mirror above the wash stand, there was the river, smiling at her in
+the mirror.
+
+She knew this river. She had been there. Perhaps she would go again
+some day.
+
+For breakfast they had a bowl of oatmeal and milk, with two slices
+of bread.
+
+Clematis looked around while they were eating.
+
+"Don't you ever get a cup of coffee for breakfast?" she asked of
+Sally, who sat next to her.
+
+"Oh, no, never, but sometimes we have cocoa, on real cold
+mornings."
+
+Clematis turned up her nose a little. She did not care much for
+oatmeal.
+
+"I like doughnuts and coffee a great deal better," she said.
+
+"Huh, you won't have any doughnuts and coffee round here," said
+Jane. "You'd better eat what you have."
+
+Clematis took her advice, and had just finished her bread, when the
+bell sounded.
+
+"Now, Clematis," said Miss Rose, "you are going to stay here for a
+while anyway, so you must take your part in the daily work."
+
+"Yes'm."
+
+"I think you said yesterday you would like to help Katie in the
+kitchen."
+
+"Oh, yes'm," said Clematis. She had been thinking of Deborah and
+longing to see her.
+
+"Well, let's go down and see what Katie can find for you to do."
+
+There was Deborah, sleeping under the edge of the stove. Clematis
+took her while Miss Rose was asking Katie.
+
+"This little girl thinks she would like to have some work down here
+in the kitchen, Katie. Is there anything you would like her to do?"
+
+"Ah, no thank you, Miss Rose, she wouldn't be any use at all."
+
+Clematis looked up. She did not feel very happy.
+
+"Why, don't you think she could help you?" Miss Rose looked
+surprised.
+
+"No miss, she is no use at all. Yesterday I asked her to peel some
+potatoes, but she never lifted a finger. She said she didn't know
+how."
+
+"Why, Clematis, I am surprised."
+
+"Well," said Clematis, "if you never learned to peel potatoes, would
+you know how to do it?"
+
+"Yes, I think I should. Katie would have shown you, if you had been
+willing to try."
+
+Clematis hung her head, and buried her face in Deborah's soft fur.
+
+"You see, miss, she's of no use to me. She don't want to work at
+all. Her cat, now, is a worker. She caught a big rat in the night."
+
+"Well then, Clematis, we shall have to ask Mrs. Snow to find you
+something else to do."
+
+Clematis dropped her kitten, and the tears ran down her cheeks, as
+she followed Miss Rose upstairs.
+
+Katie looked after her with a sad smile.
+
+"She'll have a hard row to hoe round here, believe me," she said to
+herself.
+
+Mrs. Snow frowned when Miss Rose told her.
+
+"I am very sorry," she said. "She may work with Jane, then, in the
+dormitory. Jane is a good worker and can teach her."
+
+Poor Clematis was rather frightened when she heard that she was to
+work in the dormitory. She was afraid a dormitory was some dark
+place like a prison. She did not know that the dormitory was the big
+room where she had slept.
+
+Soon Clematis was back in the big room again. There she took the
+place of another little girl, who was making up the beds with Jane.
+
+"Hurry up now," said Jane. "We have got to get these beds all made
+up before nine o'clock. School begins then."
+
+She showed Clematis how to tuck the sheet in, down at the foot, and
+pull it up smooth at the head of the bed.
+
+Clematis was looking out of the window, way over the river, to the
+sunny brown hill.
+
+"There now. Why don't you look out?" said Jane. For Clematis had
+given such a pull that she pulled all the clothes out at the foot of
+the bed.
+
+"I was looking out, so there," said Clematis.
+
+"Yes, looking out of the window, that's all." Jane was vexed.
+
+"Now hurry up and get them tucked in again."
+
+But Clematis was very clumsy, and not very willing. She had never
+had to make beds before. She didn't see any need of it.
+
+"Why can't you leave the blankets till you go to bed, and then just
+pull them up?" she said, pouting.
+
+"Because you can't, that's why. And you'd better try, or you'll
+never get a chance to go to the country."
+
+"What do you mean? Who goes to the country?"
+
+Clematis came round the bed and took Jane by the arm.
+
+"Why, most of the children who do well, or try hard to do well, go
+to the country for two weeks in the summer."
+
+"To the country where the flowers grow, and where there is grass all
+around?"
+
+"Sure, and where they give you milk and apple pie. Oh, apple pie
+even for breakfast, and doughnuts between meals. I had doughnuts
+every day."
+
+"Crickety!" said Clematis.
+
+"You'd better not let Miss Rose hear you say that, and you needn't
+worry. You won't go to any country, when you can't even make beds."
+
+Clematis gave Jane a frightened look, and started to work the best
+she knew how.
+
+But the best Clematis knew how was very poor work, and by the time
+the bell rang for school, one bed still had to be done.
+
+"Let it alone," said Jane. "I can make it up faster myself."
+
+Her hands and feet moved fast enough to surprise little Clematis,
+who followed her friend down to the school room, wondering how long
+it would take her to learn to make beds.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+WHAT CLEMATIS FOUND
+
+
+School began with music, and Miss Rose went to the piano. The minute
+she began to play, Clematis stood up, and stared at her.
+
+"Sit down. Don't stand up now." Jane pulled her sleeve.
+
+But Clematis paid no attention. She kept her eyes on the piano, and
+seemed to hear nothing else.
+
+The song was of Spring; of birds, and brooks, and flowers. Clematis
+listened to every word, and when it was finished she sat down with a
+sigh.
+
+After the singing, they had a class in reading.
+
+Clematis stared at the words on the blackboard, but could not tell
+any of them.
+
+"Have you learned any of your letters?" asked Miss Rose.
+
+"No'm," said Clematis.
+
+The other children giggled, for Clematis was as large as Jane. Jane
+was eight, and could read very well.
+
+"Tomorrow you must go into the special class, and you must work
+hard, and catch up as fast as you can."
+
+"Yes'm."
+
+Clematis was angry. She didn't like to be laughed at.
+
+At recess, all the children ran out into the yard to play. It was a
+large yard, with a high wooden fence around it.
+
+Glad to be free, Jane ran off to find some chums, and left Clematis
+to play by herself.
+
+So Clematis wandered round by the fence till she came to a sunny
+spot, near the big maple tree with the red buds.
+
+Here she picked up a dead twig and sat down, turning over the dried
+leaves with the twig, and throwing them in the air.
+
+As she picked up the leaves, she saw some blades of grass beneath
+them.
+
+Then she picked up more leaves, and found many blades of grass
+growing beneath their warm shelter.
+
+Clematis got up and walked near the fence, where the leaves were
+thicker. There she poked them away, and found longer blades of
+grass, and new leaves, green and shiny.
+
+"Oh," she said to herself, "I hope I can come out here every day."
+
+Then she stopped. She pushed away some more leaves. She looked
+around at the other children.
+
+None of them were looking at her.
+
+She stooped, and took something from under the pile of leaves.
+
+Again she looked about, but nobody was paying attention to her. All
+the children were playing games.
+
+Then a sound made her look up. It was the bell. Recess was over, and
+all the children were going in.
+
+Clematis put her hand into her apron pocket quickly, and followed
+the other children back to school.
+
+"How has the new girl done today?" asked Mrs. Snow, just before they
+sat down to dinner.
+
+"She seems to feel more at home," replied Miss Rose. "She doesn't
+know her letters yet. I guess she has grown up all by herself."
+
+"That is too bad. I will give her a test this afternoon, about
+three. If she would like to play with her kitten in the playroom for
+an hour, after dinner, she may do so."
+
+"Oh, I am sure she would be glad to see her kitten. She is a queer
+child. At recess she stole away all by herself, to play by the
+fence."
+
+The children were coming in now, and Mrs. Snow nodded to Miss Rose,
+as she went to her chair.
+
+Little Sally had been just behind Miss Rose as she said the last
+words to Mrs. Snow. She heard part of the words she said, and began
+to whisper to her neighbor.
+
+"She said somebody stole something. It must be that new girl. See
+how queer she looks."
+
+Then of course the neighbor had to whisper to the girl next to her.
+
+"Do you know what it was the new girl stole? See how funny she
+looks. She'd better not steal anything of mine."
+
+In a minute Clematis knew they were talking about her. She didn't
+know what it was, but she knew it was unkind.
+
+They were looking at her, and talking to each other. Her face turned
+red. She could not eat. One hand went deep into her apron pocket.
+
+Miss Rose quickly saw that something was wrong. She knew that little
+girls often made fun of the strangers, and it vexed her.
+
+"Any little girl who is not polite," she said, "may leave the table
+at once."
+
+The girls stopped talking, but they poked each other with their feet
+under the table. They were sure Clematis had stolen something, for
+she looked just as if she had.
+
+"Come, Clematis, eat your dinner now."
+
+"Yes'm," said Clematis. But it was hard to swallow the bread.
+
+She drank the soup, and left most of the bread by her bowl.
+
+As soon as the bell rang, Miss Rose beckoned to her.
+
+"Would you like to take Deborah to the playroom for a while, and
+play with her there?"
+
+Clematis looked very much surprised. She had expected some new
+trouble.
+
+"Oh, yes'm," she gasped, and started down to the kitchen, glad to
+get away from the other girls, who had been watching.
+
+Then Miss Rose beckoned to Jane.
+
+"Jane, what were the girls saying about Clematis at the table?"
+
+Jane hung her head. She did not like to repeat such awful things
+about Clematis, for she really liked her, though it was hard to
+teach her to work.
+
+"Tell me, Jane. Miss Rose wants to know."
+
+"The girls were saying she stole something."
+
+"Stole something? Why, what did she steal, Jane?"
+
+"I don't know. I just heard them saying she had stolen something.
+She looked just as if she had."
+
+"Very well. Thank you, Jane."
+
+Jane went down to the school room, where all the girls were eager to
+know what Clematis had stolen. But Jane could tell them nothing.
+
+"She just asked me what you said," Jane declared.
+
+"That's just like Jane," cried Sally. "She knows all the time, only
+she won't tell."
+
+While they were talking, Clematis was finding a cosy corner in the
+playroom, and smoothing out every hair on Deborah's smooth back.
+
+Deborah seemed very happy, and purred all the time.
+
+"I don't care if they do say mean things, and make noses at me. You
+won't ever, will you, Debby?"
+
+"Purr, purr, purr," said Deborah. No indeed, she never would.
+
+Time went fast, and it was three o'clock before Clematis had got
+Deborah settled down for sleep in a little bed she made for her
+beneath the window.
+
+"Take her downstairs now, Clematis," said Miss Rose, coming in.
+"Then come up to Mrs. Snow's room. We want to ask you some
+questions."
+
+Again Clematis turned red. She went slowly downstairs, with Deborah
+under one arm. The other hand deep in her apron pocket.
+
+"She surely looks as if something were wrong," thought Miss Rose, as
+Clematis disappeared.
+
+Clematis looked very unhappy when she went to Mrs. Snow's room.
+
+"Come in, little girl," said Mrs. Snow, kindly. "There are some
+things I want to ask you about."
+
+"Yes'm," replied Clematis, her lips quivering.
+
+"First, I want to know what all this talk is about. Some of the
+girls were saying that you took something which did not belong to
+you. Can that be true?"
+
+Clematis hung her head. The tears came into her eyes.
+
+"Don't cry, Clematis," said Miss Rose. "Just tell Mrs. Snow what it
+is, and perhaps we can make it all right again."
+
+"What was it, little girl?" asked Mrs. Snow, as she drew her
+nearer.
+
+"It was mine, I found it first," sobbed Clematis.
+
+"Yes, but you must remember that if we find a thing, that does not
+make it ours. We must find the true owner, and give it back. That is
+the only honest thing to do."
+
+"What was it you found?" asked Miss Rose.
+
+"I don't kn-ow."
+
+"Where did you find it?"
+
+"Do-wn by the fe-ence."
+
+"Where is it now, Clematis?" Mrs. Snow spoke kindly, as she wiped
+the child's face with her handkerchief.
+
+"It's in my pocket," answered Clematis.
+
+She drew out her closed hand, held it before the two ladies, and
+slowly opened it.
+
+Within lay a limp, withered dandelion blossom.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+A VISITOR
+
+
+Mrs. Snow still tells the story of how Clematis stole the first
+dandelion of the springtime, out under the leaves.
+
+People laugh when they hear the story. You see, it all came about
+because the children told tales on each other, and it was a good
+joke on them.
+
+But as Clematis stood there, before Mrs. Snow and Miss Rose, she
+didn't see the joke at all. She cried, and hid her face in her
+arms.
+
+"Come here, dear," said Mrs. Snow. "It is all right, and you shall
+have every dandelion you find in the yard."
+
+"Wasn't it stealing?" sobbed Clematis.
+
+"No, it was all right, if you found it first."
+
+"And can I have all I find first?"
+
+"Yes, indeed you can."
+
+Clematis lifted her head, and wiped the tears from her eyes.
+
+"Oh," she said, and seemed happy once more. She smoothed the limp
+little flower in her hot hand.
+
+"And now," said Mrs. Snow, "I wonder if you can tell us some more
+about yourself."
+
+"Yes'm, I'll tell you all you ask, and I won't tell any lies."
+
+"I'm sure you won't. Perhaps you can remember, now, where you lived
+before you came here."
+
+Clematis shook her head. "I told Miss Rose every single thing," she
+said, "except--"
+
+"Except what?"
+
+"Except that I ran away."
+
+Clematis hung her head again.
+
+"Why did you run away?"
+
+"Well, wouldn't you run away, if you had to stay in a yard all day
+that was nothing but bricks?"
+
+Mrs. Snow smiled. "Perhaps I would," she replied.
+
+"Didn't you ever go out at all?" asked Miss Rose, who had been
+listening.
+
+"Just sometimes, to go over to the store. Just across the street and
+back, and that was all bricks, too."
+
+[Illustration: Clematis held out her hand]
+
+"Do you think you could find your way home again, if Miss Rose went
+with you?"
+
+Clematis shook her head. "Oh, no. It was a long, long way. I was
+most dead from walking."
+
+Mrs. Snow thought a moment. Then she said, "Miss Rose tells me that
+you have not learned to read. Is that true?"
+
+"Yes'm, I never learned to do anything except count the change I
+got. But I can learn to read, and do numbers, too."
+
+Clematis spoke without sobbing now. She was thinking of the country,
+where girls went who did well.
+
+"Do you think you could take her in a class by herself for a short
+time?" Mrs. Snow asked, turning to Miss Rose.
+
+Miss Rose was about to answer, when one of the older girls came to
+the door.
+
+"What is it, Ruth?"
+
+"Please, Mrs. Snow, a man wants to see you."
+
+"What is his name?"
+
+"His name is Smith. He wants to see you about a little girl."
+
+As she said this, Miss Rose looked up quickly.
+
+Clematis also looked up. Her face turned red, and she put a finger
+in her mouth.
+
+"Tell him to come in here."
+
+In another minute a small, thin man walked in.
+
+He was poorly dressed, and looked as if he had been ill.
+
+"Did you wish to see me about one of the children?" asked Mrs.
+Snow.
+
+"Yes, marm, about this little girl right here."
+
+The man turned and smiled at Clematis, who was standing close by
+Miss Rose.
+
+"Hello, Clematis, I thought I should find you somewhere."
+
+Clematis smiled too, but she did not speak.
+
+"Oh," said Mrs. Snow, "are you the one who took care of this little
+girl?"
+
+"Yes, marm. I've had her ever since she was a little baby."
+
+Mrs. Snow thought a minute.
+
+"I suppose you want to take her home with you."
+
+"I don't know about that. I have no home to keep a child in, and do
+right by her. You see, my wife is sick most of the time."
+
+"Don't you know any of her folks who could care for her?"
+
+"No, marm. Her mother came to our house when Clematis was a tiny
+baby. She said the father was dead. Then she died too, and we could
+never find out who she was."
+
+"Do you know her last name?" asked Miss Rose.
+
+"No, miss. We never knew her last name. She said it was Jones, but
+we never believed that was the truth. This little girl we just
+called Clematis."
+
+"Didn't she have anything to help you find out who she was?" asked
+Mrs. Snow in surprise.
+
+"Not a single thing, except this picture."
+
+The man took out a small photograph.
+
+It showed three girls standing together in front of a brick
+building.
+
+"That is her mother on the left, marm, but I don't see how the
+picture helps very much."
+
+"That is true. Still, the picture is better than nothing."
+
+"That is just what we thought, marm," Mr. Smith replied. "We kept
+her along, hoping we should find some one to claim her, but no one
+came. She is too big for us to care for now."
+
+"Then you are ready to give her up?"
+
+"Yes, marm, if you will care for her. She is very restless, and
+always wanting to run off."
+
+Mrs. Snow turned to Clematis.
+
+"Do you think you would rather stay here, than go back with Mr.
+Smith?"
+
+"Yes'm," said Clematis, quickly. She had been thinking of the visits
+to the country. If she went back to the yard, all made of bricks,
+how would she ever see the grass and flowers?
+
+"Very well, Mr. Smith. I think you have done a good deal to keep her
+as long as you have. She was well fed, even if she didn't learn
+much."
+
+"Thank you, marm."
+
+Then Miss Rose took Clematis out of the office, while Mrs. Snow
+talked with Mr. Smith.
+
+All the afternoon Clematis wondered what they were going to do with
+her.
+
+After supper Miss Rose called to her, as the children were going to
+the playroom.
+
+"Clematis," she said, "do you think that if you stayed here you
+could work real hard, and learn to do as the other children do?"
+
+"Yes'm."
+
+"Very well. Mrs. Snow finds that we can keep you here. I will try to
+teach you myself, so you can catch up with the other children."
+
+"Yes'm," said Clematis.
+
+That is all she said, but she was so glad, that she could not sleep
+for a long time after she went to bed.
+
+She lay awake thinking, and thinking, of the things she would learn
+to do, so she might go at last to the country, the land of flowers,
+and grass, and birds; the land where white clouds floated always in
+a blue, blue sky.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THE SECRET
+
+
+The next morning Clematis did better in helping Jane with the beds,
+and before many mornings had passed she learned so well that Miss
+Rose praised her for her work.
+
+When she wanted to stop trying, and wanted to get up without washing
+her face and hands, and cleaning her teeth, she would look out the
+window at the hill beyond the river.
+
+It seemed to smile at her and say:
+
+"Don't forget the beautiful country, little girl. Remember the birds
+and the flowers. Do the best you can."
+
+But there were so many things to do that it seemed to poor Clematis
+as if she would never learn half of them.
+
+When she tried to help in setting the table, she dropped some
+plates.
+
+She said things that made the other girls cross, for she had never
+learned to play with other girls, and she forgot that she could no
+longer do just as she pleased.
+
+Worst of all, she did not always pay attention to study, and when
+Miss Rose left her to do some numbers, would be looking out of the
+window, instead of working on her paper.
+
+So the days went on, and spring was almost over.
+
+The dandelions had all blossomed and grown up tall, with white caps
+on their heads, and there were no other flowers in the yard.
+
+One day Clematis found something which made her almost as happy as
+if she had found some flowers.
+
+At first she thought she would keep it a secret, and tell no one
+about it. Then she thought how good Jane had been to her, so she
+went up to her when she was standing alone.
+
+"Say, Jane, if I tell you a secret will you promise not to tell
+anybody else?"
+
+"Sure, I'll promise," said Jane. "What is it?"
+
+Clematis looked around. The other children were playing games.
+
+"Come over here," she said.
+
+She led Jane to the big board fence which stood at the back of the
+yard.
+
+Then she got down on her knees and took hold of one of the boards.
+It was loose, and she could pull it out.
+
+"See, look through there," said Clematis, in a low voice.
+
+Her face shone with pleasure as she peeped through.
+
+Jane knelt down, and peeped through too. Beyond the fence she could
+see into another yard.
+
+In this yard there was grass growing, and flower-beds, where the
+flowers were beginning to grow up in green shoots.
+
+But this was not all. Not far from the fence, by a corner of the
+garden, stood a low bush. She could smell its sweet fragrance from
+where she knelt.
+
+"Do you see it?" whispered Clematis.
+
+"Of course I see it. I can smell it too. It's great."
+
+Jane took in a long breath of the fragrance, and smiled at
+Clematis.
+
+"Oh, I wish I had some of those blossoms." Clematis looked eagerly
+at the blossoms. "Do you know what they are, Jane?"
+
+"Oh, yes; those are lilacs."
+
+The two girls had just time to take one more deep breath, full of
+the fragrance from the lilac blossoms, before the bell rang.
+
+Jane kept her promise, and while the lilacs lasted, they used to go
+often to their secret place and smell the fragrance of the
+blossoms.
+
+The first of July, some of the girls began to start for their
+vacations in the country.
+
+Now it was harder than ever for Clematis to stick to her work. She
+kept thinking of the beautiful fields, when she should have been
+thinking of numbers.
+
+"I don't know what we are going to do with you, Clematis," said Miss
+Rose one day.
+
+"You do try hard sometimes. You have learned to make beds well. You
+are a good girl about your clothes, morning and night. But you are
+dreaming of other things, I fear. What is it you dream about so
+much?"
+
+Clematis thought a moment.
+
+"Do you think I will have a chance to go to the country?"
+
+She looked up at Miss Rose. Her face was white and anxious.
+
+"Why Clematis. I don't know. You wouldn't be very much help I am
+afraid. You quarrel with the other children, and you are very slow
+to learn."
+
+"Yes'm," said Clematis, and hung her head.
+
+"Still," said Miss Rose, "you might have a chance later. If you try
+hard I will not forget you."
+
+Clematis tried to feel happier then, but there were so many things
+to learn, and so few days to learn them in, that she hardly dared to
+hope very much.
+
+She found it very hard to learn to play happily with the other
+children, and liked it much better just to get Deborah all by
+herself and play with her.
+
+July went by, and the children began to come back again. They told
+stories of the wonderful things they had seen, and now Clematis was
+only too glad to sit near them and listen.
+
+[Illustration: Clematis is better]
+
+"Oh," said Sally, who had been to Maine, "Mr. Lane had a field
+almost as big as a whole city, full of long grass and daisies."
+
+"Would he let you pick the daisies?" asked Clematis.
+
+"Of course he would; all you wanted."
+
+"Where is Maine?" asked Clematis, eagerly.
+
+"Hear her talk," said another girl, named Betty, with a sniff. "She
+needn't worry, she'll never get a chance to pick any."
+
+Betty was not very kind, and did not like Clematis. She often made
+fun of the younger children.
+
+Clematis turned red. Her eyes flashed, and she was about to answer,
+when the supper bell rang.
+
+They had just sat down at the table, when Betty said to a girl near
+by:
+
+"You ought to hear Clematis. She thinks she is going to the country.
+Just as if anybody would have her around."
+
+Betty sat next to Clematis, who heard every word.
+
+She had tried to be a good girl and learn, just as Miss Rose asked
+her to.
+
+Her face burned, and her eyes flashed more than ever.
+
+Before she stopped to think, she turned and waved her spoon before
+Betty's face, saying:
+
+"You can't stop me. You'd better keep quiet, you old pig!"
+
+Betty was so startled that she moved back. Her arm struck her bowl
+of milk, and the milk spilled out, all over the table.
+
+Part of it spilled down into her lap.
+
+Then Clematis began to cry. When Miss Rose sent her away from the
+table, and up to her bed, she went willingly.
+
+She was glad to get away from the other children.
+
+Miss Rose saw how sad she was, and knew how naughty Betty had been,
+so she did not punish her.
+
+"I am very sorry you have not learned to behave more politely,
+Clematis. Perhaps this will be a lesson to you."
+
+That was all she said before Clematis went to bed, but Clematis
+cried quietly a long, long time.
+
+She felt that she had made every one look at her, right in front of
+Mrs. Snow. What would Mrs. Snow think of her now?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+TWO DOCTORS
+
+
+It was very late before Clematis fell asleep that night, and in the
+morning she had a headache.
+
+When she got up she had to sit on the bed, she felt so dizzy.
+
+Miss Rose found her sitting there.
+
+"Why, Clematis," she said. "Are you sick?"
+
+"Yes'm, I guess so," whispered the poor little girl.
+
+"Lie right down again, dear, and perhaps you will feel better."
+
+They brought her a cup of cocoa, and some toast, for breakfast, but
+she could not eat.
+
+All day she lay there, pale and sick.
+
+In the afternoon old Doctor Field came in to see her. He sat down by
+the bed and asked her some questions.
+
+He looked at her tongue, and felt her pulse. Then he took out some
+little pills and gave them to Miss Rose.
+
+"I guess you had better put her in a single room," he said. "Give
+her some of these in water, every two hours during the day."
+
+He smiled at Clematis before he went out. "I guess she will feel
+better in the morning, when I come again."
+
+But in the morning Clematis was not better. She was worse.
+
+"How did she pass the night?" asked Doctor Field, as he felt her
+pulse.
+
+"Not very well," said Miss Rose. "She did not sleep much, and had a
+good deal of pain."
+
+Doctor Field looked at her chest and arms.
+
+"It might be chicken pox, or measles," he said, "but I don't see any
+of the usual signs."
+
+Little Clematis lay and looked at him steadily.
+
+"Did you want something, dear?" he asked.
+
+"I want a drink," she said. "I want a drink of cold, cold water."
+
+"Yes, dear, you shall have a drink, of course you shall."
+
+The old doctor went into the hall with Miss Rose.
+
+"She may have a drink, but only a little at a time. And I wouldn't
+let it be too cold. She really gets enough water with her
+medicine."
+
+Soon they brought Clematis a little water in a cup. She raised her
+head and drank it, but then made a face and turned her head away.
+
+"It isn't any good," she said.
+
+That evening old Doctor Field came again. He looked carefully at
+Clematis, and shook his head.
+
+"I guess it's only a slow fever. It's nothing catching," he said.
+"She'll be better in a few days."
+
+The few days passed, but Clematis was not better.
+
+At night she was restless, and slept little. Even when she did
+sleep, her slumber was disturbed by bad dreams.
+
+She talked to herself during these dreams, though people couldn't
+understand what she said.
+
+Doctor Field came to see her every day or two, but he could not tell
+what her sickness was. He always said:
+
+"Just give her the medicine as directed, and she will be better
+soon."
+
+Miss Rose had asked Mrs. Snow if she might take care of her, for she
+had come to love little Clematis, and Clematis loved her in return.
+
+The school work did not take her time very much now, so Mrs. Snow
+was glad to let Miss Rose care for Clematis.
+
+If she stayed away very long, Clematis would call for her. She
+wanted her in the room.
+
+"Mrs. Snow," said Miss Rose, one day, after Clematis had been ill
+more than two weeks, "I am very anxious about Clematis."
+
+"Is she no better?"
+
+"No, I feel she is worse. She keeps asking for a cold drink of
+water, and says she is burning up. I wish I dared give her some, and
+keep her cooler."
+
+"Well, I think I should follow the doctor's directions. It wouldn't
+be wise to do anything that is not directed by him."
+
+"Don't you suppose we could have another doctor to look at her, Mrs.
+Snow?"
+
+"No, I fear not; not just now, anyway."
+
+Miss Rose went back to the little room upstairs with a sad heart.
+She knew Clematis was very ill.
+
+That night she prayed that something might be done for the little
+sick girl, and the next morning she felt as if her prayers had been
+answered, when Doctor Field came.
+
+"I shall have to be away for a short time, Miss Rose," he said,
+after he looked at Clematis, and felt her pulse.
+
+"A young man, Doctor Wyatt, will take my place, and I am sure he
+will do all that can be done."
+
+"Can he come today?" asked Miss Rose. "I wish he could see her
+soon."
+
+"I will ask him. I think he will be much interested in Clematis. I
+should like to see her well again myself, but I must be out of town
+a few weeks."
+
+"Oh, I hope he will come today, and I hope he will take an interest
+in my little girl," said Miss Rose to herself.
+
+"I know she can be cured, if we only know what is the matter."
+
+That afternoon Doctor Wyatt came. Miss Rose was glad when she saw
+him, for he was so kind, and so wise, that she knew he would do the
+best he could.
+
+The afternoon was hot, and Clematis was covered with hot blankets,
+as directed by Doctor Field.
+
+Dr. Wyatt took the blankets, and threw them off.
+
+"The poor child will roast under those," he said.
+
+Then he sat beside her, and watched her.
+
+"Is there anything you would like?" he said at last, in a pleasant
+voice.
+
+"Yes, I want a cold drink of water." Her voice sounded faint and
+feeble now.
+
+"What does she have to drink?" asked Doctor Wyatt.
+
+"We give her water now and then, as directed by Dr. Field. But we do
+not give her very much, and not very cold."
+
+"Have you any oranges in the house?"
+
+"I could get some."
+
+"Then take the white of an egg, and put with it the juice of a whole
+orange. Add half a glass of water, with pieces of ice.
+
+"Have good big pieces of ice," Doctor Wyatt called after her, as he
+saw that Clematis had fixed her eye on him.
+
+Clematis smiled when he said that, and turned toward him with a
+sigh.
+
+Soon Miss Rose came back with the glass. Dr. Wyatt held it to the
+lips of the little sick girl. She drank slowly.
+
+"Oh thanks," she whispered, when he took the glass away.
+
+"Give her some of that whenever she asks for it," he said.
+
+"Now tell me about the nights," the doctor went on.
+
+"She is restless, and sleeps very little. She has bad dreams when
+she does sleep, and talks to herself."
+
+"What does she talk about?"
+
+"I don't know. We can't make out."
+
+"Do you keep the room lighted at night?"
+
+"Oh, no, it is kept dark."
+
+"Well, tonight keep it lighted. People who have bad dreams are often
+frightened by the dark."
+
+"Shall I give her the medicine as directed?"
+
+"No, don't give her any more medicine at present. Give her all she
+wants of the orange and egg. I'll be back in the morning."
+
+And Dr. Wyatt was gone.
+
+"He's a good doctor," said Clematis, licking her dry lips. "I want a
+drink."
+
+Miss Rose smiled, and put the glass to her lips.
+
+[Illustration: Off for Tilton]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+A LONG, ANXIOUS NIGHT
+
+
+"Well," said Doctor Wyatt, the next morning, "how is Clematis
+today?"
+
+"She seems a little more comfortable," said Miss Rose.
+
+The doctor sat by her for half an hour. He felt her pulse, and
+looked her all over. Then he shook his head.
+
+That day he spent a long time studying his books.
+
+In the evening he came again, and sat by Clematis. He shook his
+head, sadly.
+
+"I must tell you, Miss Rose, that Clematis is a very sick little
+girl," he said, as they stood in the hall.
+
+"Can't you do anything for her?" The tears sprang to her eyes.
+
+"Perhaps I can. If she is no better tomorrow, I shall feel very
+anxious."
+
+Again that night the doctor spent a long time over his big books.
+Then he went and talked with doctors in the hospital.
+
+"I shall be here most of the time tonight," he said the next
+morning. "Keep her cool, and as comfortable as you can."
+
+Miss Rose went back to the bed with aching heart.
+
+"Oh, if we only knew what was the matter with you, Clematis," she
+thought, as she looked at the little white face.
+
+In the evening Doctor Wyatt came back once more.
+
+"Now, Miss Rose," he said, "you are very tired. You must go away for
+a walk, or a visit, or a rest. I will take care of her tonight."
+
+"Don't you think I had better stay, too?"
+
+"No, you must rest. Please have a cup of coffee sent to me about
+ten. I shall stay right here. You will be needed tomorrow."
+
+Doctor Wyatt sat down to watch by Clematis.
+
+It was a warm evening, so he gave her a drink, and fanned her, to
+cool her hot face.
+
+As it grew late, she fell into a light sleep. As she slept, she
+began to talk in low tones.
+
+The doctor bent his head down very near her lips, and listened
+carefully to everything she said.
+
+Hour after hour he watched and listened, until he, too, fell asleep,
+just as the sun was coming up.
+
+Miss Rose found him there in the morning, sleeping in his chair,
+close by the bed.
+
+"Miss Rose," he asked, as he started up, "did this little girl want
+anything very much indeed?"
+
+"Yes, she did. She wanted to go to the country, as the other
+children did, but it did not seem quite possible."
+
+"That's it! That's just it!" exclaimed Doctor Wyatt. "She spoke of
+flowers, of lilacs and daisies. I couldn't tell much what she said,
+but I could hear those words."
+
+At that moment, Clematis opened her eyes and stared about her.
+
+Doctor Wyatt took one thin, frail hand in his big brown ones.
+
+"Clematis," he said in a loud, firm tone, "I know a lovely place in
+the country. If you will get well, you can go there for two whole
+weeks."
+
+Clematis stared at him, but did not seem to hear him.
+
+"I want a drink," she said feebly.
+
+He put the glass to her lips.
+
+"You can pick daisies, and goldenrod, and all sorts of flowers in
+the country, if you'll just get well, can't she, Miss Rose?"
+
+"Yes, Clematis, you can." Miss Rose tried to speak cheerfully, but
+it was hard. She wanted to cry.
+
+Clematis stared at her also for a minute, and then turned away.
+
+"I'll go get some sleep now. Keep her cool and comfortable, till I
+come back again this evening."
+
+The day passed slowly. Mrs. Snow came in two or three times to look
+at Clematis, and feel her pulse.
+
+Some of the other teachers came to peep in also. They went away
+softly, wiping their eyes.
+
+"She is a queer little girl," said one, "but I do love her."
+
+That is what they all felt.
+
+At evening Doctor Wyatt returned. He looked anxious, as he took his
+seat beside the bed.
+
+"I shall stay till about ten, Miss Rose, so you must rest now."
+
+"I don't want to go," said Miss Rose.
+
+"You must, you will be needed later. She will need great care
+tonight, I think."
+
+At ten, Miss Rose returned. She had not rested much, and was glad to
+get back to the bedside.
+
+"Here is my telephone number, Miss Rose. You can get me very soon by
+calling me up. Watch her carefully, and if you see any change at
+all, send for me at once."
+
+"Do you think there may be a change tonight?" Miss Rose looked
+straight into his face to see just what he meant.
+
+"Yes, Miss Rose, there may be, and I hope it will be for the
+better."
+
+"You hope?" Miss Rose held her breath a minute.
+
+"Yes, let us hope. Hope does more than all the medicine in the
+world."
+
+The minutes crept along into hours, and midnight passed, while Miss
+Rose watched.
+
+Clematis seemed restless, but she did not talk to herself any more.
+
+Miss Rose held the glass to her lips now and then, but she did not
+drink.
+
+When Miss Rose wiped her face with a cold, wet cloth, she smiled a
+faint little smile, as if she liked it. Then the look of pain would
+come again, as she turned restlessly.
+
+The clock outside struck one. How slowly the minutes went.
+
+At last it struck two, and a breeze stirred the leaves outside.
+
+They were the leaves of the maple Clematis had broken in the early
+Spring. Now they seemed to whisper softly to each other.
+
+All else was silent.
+
+Miss Rose had watched a long time. Many days she had been by the
+bed. Her eyes began to droop.
+
+"I'll rest my head just a minute," she thought, and leaned back upon
+the chair.
+
+Slowly the clock struck three. As the last stroke came, Miss Rose
+stirred, and opened her eyes.
+
+Then she started up.
+
+"I must have been asleep," she said aloud. "Oh, shame on me for
+sleeping, when I promised to watch."
+
+She looked down at the bed.
+
+Clematis lay there, peaceful and quiet. Her little hand was white
+and still as marble. Her face seemed very happy. All pain was gone,
+and a smile lay upon the pale lips.
+
+"Oh, little Clematis. To think I should have been asleep!"
+
+Miss Rose took out her handkerchief, and bent her head down on the
+bed, weeping.
+
+A slight sound seemed to come from the pillow. Miss Rose looked up.
+
+The child's eyes were open wide. She was looking at her in wonder.
+
+"He said I could go, didn't he?" said Clematis in a faint voice.
+
+Miss Rose choked down her sobs.
+
+"Yes, yes, Clematis, he did, he did."
+
+"Well, then, what are you crying about?"
+
+Clematis closed her eyes again and lay, still as before, with a
+little smile on her lips.
+
+Miss Rose was so astonished that she sat staring at her for some
+minutes, until she heard a step in the hall.
+
+It was Doctor Wyatt.
+
+He came in softly and looked at the little figure on the bed.
+
+He felt her pulse, and listened to her heart. Then he smiled, and
+led Miss Rose from the room.
+
+"She is all right now," he whispered. "Let her sleep as long as she
+can."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+GETTING WELL
+
+
+Clematis slept all night, and all the next day. It was evening when
+she woke.
+
+Miss Rose was beside the bed, and heard her as she moved.
+
+"Do you feel better now, dear little girl?" asked Miss Rose.
+
+Clematis looked at her a moment with eyes wide open.
+
+"He said I could go, didn't he?" she asked.
+
+"Yes, surely he did, and you can go; you shall go just as soon as
+you are well."
+
+Clematis smiled a happy smile.
+
+"I want a drink of that orange juice."
+
+Miss Rose brought a glass with ice in it, and held it, while
+Clematis sipped it slowly. Then she washed her face and hands in
+cold water.
+
+"Thanks," the little girl whispered, as she turned on the pillow,
+and went off to sleep again.
+
+There was great joy all through the Home, for every one knew that
+Clematis was getting well.
+
+Doctor Wyatt came every day to look at his little sick girl, and
+laugh, and pat her cheeks.
+
+"You just wait till you see the apple pies my aunt can make," he
+would say.
+
+Then Clematis would smile.
+
+"Tell me about the garden. Are there any lilacs?"
+
+"No lilac blossoms now, little sister, but asters, and hollyhocks,
+and goldenrod. You just wait till you see them."
+
+Then the doctor would go out, with another laugh.
+
+Soon Clematis got so well that she could sit up in bed.
+
+Miss Rose would sit by the window, sewing, and sometimes she would
+read a story.
+
+One afternoon she saw that Clematis was anxious about something. She
+had a little wrinkle in her forehead.
+
+"What is it you are thinking about? Is there something you want?"
+
+[Illustration: In the country at last]
+
+Miss Rose went and stood by the bed, smoothing her forehead with her
+soft hand.
+
+"I was thinking," said Clematis. "I was thinking that--that perhaps
+I could have Deborah come to see me, just for a minute."
+
+"Well, you wait a minute, and I'll see."
+
+Miss Rose went out, and Clematis waited to hear her steps again. She
+had not seen Deborah for a long time.
+
+Soon she heard Miss Rose coming back. She shut her eyes till the
+footsteps came up to the bed, and before she opened them, there was
+a little pounce beside her.
+
+Her dear Deborah was rubbing a cold nose against her cheek, and
+purring how glad she was to see her.
+
+Clematis smoothed and patted her a long time, as she lay purring
+close by her side.
+
+After that, Deborah came up often, and lay there on the bed, while
+Miss Rose sewed by the window.
+
+"What are you sewing?" asked Clematis one day, when she was well
+enough to sit up.
+
+"What do you suppose?"
+
+"It looks like a dress."
+
+"That's just what it is. It's a new dress for a little girl to wear
+to the country."
+
+"Oh, who is going to have it? Let me see it. Please hold it up."
+
+Miss Rose held the dress before her. It was nearly done.
+
+The skirt was of serge, navy blue, with two pockets. With it went a
+middy blouse, with white lacings at the neck, and white stars on the
+sleeves.
+
+"Oh, please tell me. Who is going to have it?" The child's eyes
+danced as she saw the pretty dress.
+
+"I'll give you just one guess," said Miss Rose, smiling.
+
+Clematis gasped. Could it be for her? She had never dreamed of
+owning a dress like that.
+
+The little girl sat there a moment, without speaking. Then she
+pointed one finger at herself.
+
+"Right, the very first time," said Miss Rose. "This blouse is to
+travel in. There is another."
+
+She reached down and lifted another blouse. This was white, with
+blue collar and cuffs, and a blue star on the sleeve.
+
+All this was too much for Clematis. The tears stood in her eyes, and
+she breathed fast. But she did not say very much to speak her
+gratitude.
+
+"Oh, thanks," was all she said. Miss Rose saw in her face how much
+it all meant to her.
+
+"I am proud of this little patient," said Doctor Wyatt, the next
+day. "If she keeps on at this rate, we can send her up to Tilton
+next week."
+
+[Illustration: "What are you sewing?"]
+
+How her eyes shone! How her heart jumped! The very next week she
+would be starting for the land of her dreams.
+
+She could see great fields of grass, with daisies and clover.
+Already she could see them stretching out before her.
+
+How she got through the days before she was to start, she never
+knew. She was well enough now to sleep in the dormitory once more;
+to eat with the other children, and do some of the work.
+
+"Now dear," said Miss Rose, the day before she was to start, "I must
+leave you. I am going away, too, for a vacation, so I must say
+goodby today."
+
+Clematis looked up in surprise. She never thought that grown people
+wanted to go away. She did not notice how pale and tired Miss Rose
+was. It had been hard work for her.
+
+"You will try to help all you can, won't you, dear? Think every
+minute of what you can do to help. Then people will love you, even
+if you make mistakes."
+
+"Yes'm, I will promise."
+
+"You can wear the blue blouse, and you can put the white one in the
+box I gave you, if you are afraid of crushing it in the little
+bag."
+
+"Oh, yes'm, I don't want to put it in the bag."
+
+"Well, then, goodby, and have a good time. Jerry will see that you
+get on the right train."
+
+Jerry was the old cab man, who had a stand near the school, and
+carried people to the station.
+
+This was a new delight for Clematis. What fun to ride to the station
+with Jerry, in a cab!
+
+All day the joyful thoughts of her trip filled her mind. She could
+think of nothing else. The other children laughed at her, but she
+never minded them at all.
+
+She was going to the country, to the birds, and flowers, and fields,
+and that was all she cared.
+
+But as she was going to bed, one thought seemed to disturb her. She
+lay there thinking, with the little anxious line across her
+forehead.
+
+A long time she thought. Then she spoke half aloud.
+
+"That's just what I'll do," she said. "I've got to, anyway. I don't
+care if the blouse is crushed a little."
+
+Then she went to sleep.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+OFF FOR TILTON
+
+
+The day that she had longed for came at last. The sun was bright,
+the breeze was cool, and Clematis was as happy as the sparrows that
+hopped about in the maple tree.
+
+All the morning she ran here and there, getting her things ready.
+
+She had a small, black bag, and the box Miss Rose left for her extra
+blouse. Her things were put into these.
+
+Mrs. Snow had an early lunch for Clematis, because she was going on
+the one o'clock train.
+
+"I would rather eat it down in the kitchen with Katie," she said,
+when they started to put a bowl on the big table.
+
+Katie was willing, so Clematis had some bread and soup on the corner
+of the kitchen table.
+
+[Illustration: With Katie in the kitchen]
+
+"It will be nearer the street, so I will bring my things down here,"
+she said.
+
+She seemed very nervous, but Katie thought it was because of her
+trip.
+
+"Don't worry, Miss Clematis," she said. "Jerry will soon be here."
+
+"I know it." Clematis looked around. Then she slipped out of her
+chair and went up to Katie.
+
+She whispered a minute in her friendly ear.
+
+"Oh, now dearie, I wouldn't be doing that."
+
+Katie put her hand on the little girl's cheek, and shook her head.
+"I don't think they would like it."
+
+But Clematis was very serious. The tears came into her eyes as she
+whispered again.
+
+"Oh, please, please! I don't know what might happen."
+
+"Well, then," answered Katie, "what I don't see, I don't know about.
+I'm going upstairs a minute. Be quick now."
+
+She went upstairs, and Clematis hurried into the small room near the
+kitchen, with her box.
+
+In a minute she came out again, looking all about.
+
+When Katie came down, she was drinking her soup. She could not
+swallow the bread.
+
+"Dear child," said Katie, as the bell rang. "I hope the worry
+doesn't make her sick again."
+
+Jerry was ready with the cab.
+
+"All aboard, mum, I'll take your things."
+
+He started to take the box, which she hugged up under one arm.
+
+"Oh, no thank you," she cried, and held on to it tighter than ever.
+
+Katie gave him the black bag she had in her hand, and the next
+minute Clematis was safe inside, and throwing a kiss to the friendly
+cook.
+
+Before he got to the station, old Jerry stopped, and went into a
+store. He came out with a big paper bag.
+
+"Katie told me to get this for you, miss," he said, as he passed the
+bag to her through the open window.
+
+She peeped inside. There was a smaller bag, and several big
+peaches.
+
+In the smaller bag were sandwiches, and cream cakes.
+
+What a treat! Clematis often longed for peaches, but had not tasted
+them very often.
+
+In the station Jerry got down, and led her to the train.
+
+"Here is a passenger for Tilton, New Hampshire," he said to the
+conductor.
+
+"All right, Jerry, I'll look after her."
+
+The big conductor smiled at the little passenger.
+
+"Come on, sister," he said, as he stooped to take her box.
+
+"Oh, no, thank you," said Clematis, hugging it closer than ever.
+
+"She must have her money in that," laughed Jerry.
+
+So the conductor took the two bags, while Clematis carried the box.
+He found her a seat where she could be right by the window.
+
+Soon the train started. They went across bridges, and through the
+yards, till at last they came to the open country.
+
+There Clematis could see the fields, and the flowers, which grew
+close by the tracks.
+
+As the train flew on, they came to quiet woods, with little brooks,
+and cows resting comfortably in the shade.
+
+There was so much to see, that Clematis could not take her face from
+the window a minute.
+
+Farmers were at work in the fields of wheat, and corn, and oats.
+They were mowing and raking. Some were throwing hay into the big
+carts.
+
+At last they came to a big river that ran along by the track.
+Clematis could see people fishing along the banks, and rowing on the
+smooth water.
+
+"I hope there is a river in Tilton," she thought.
+
+It was a long time before she thought of the peaches, and
+sandwiches. When she did, she knew she was very hungry, so she
+opened the bag, and ate, while she watched the river, and fields,
+and forests.
+
+One sandwich she broke in halves. She raised the cover of the box a
+little, and put one half inside. Then she shut the cover and tied
+the string.
+
+"Tilton is the next station," said the conductor, at last.
+
+They went along beside a small river, across a bridge, and the train
+stopped at Tilton.
+
+"I guess that little girl is for me," said a tall man with a
+pleasant face, as Clematis came down the steps.
+
+"Her tag says Mrs. Alder on it, is that the one?" asked the
+conductor.
+
+"That's right. I told Mrs. Alder I would bring her along when I came
+from the train."
+
+"Well, here's her bag. She won't let any one touch her box. She
+keeps her money in it. Goodby, little girl."
+
+"Too--too--too-too."
+
+The whistle blew, the wheels began to turn, and the long train drew
+slowly away.
+
+"Right over here, little girl. Climb right up on the seat. I'll hold
+your box."
+
+"Oh, no thank you," said Clematis. "I'll keep it."
+
+Then she looked up at the seat. How was she to climb up there and
+hold her box?
+
+Suddenly she was lifted off the ground, and found herself safe on
+the high seat.
+
+"That's the way we'll fix it," said the man, with a smile. "Up you
+go, money, box, and all."
+
+"Now I want to go up the street about a mile or so, before I take
+you to Mrs. Alder. I don't suppose you mind, do you?"
+
+Clematis shook her head. She was happy at the thought of another
+ride.
+
+So they drove up a long hill. As they reached the top, the man
+stopped his horse, and looked about.
+
+"It's pretty, isn't it?" he said.
+
+Clematis nodded, and looked all about her.
+
+The hill sloped down again into a little valley, where the brook ran
+between green meadows.
+
+Beyond that, the pastures ran up to meet the forest on another
+hill.
+
+Looking past this hill, she could see the blue waters of a lake,
+sparkling in the evening sun.
+
+From the lake the ground rose once more. Up and up it went, with
+pastures and forests, until it came to the rocky crowns of three
+mountains.
+
+The mountains were a deep, misty blue. Above them rose the white
+August clouds, rolling on and on, into the highest heaven.
+
+Clematis drew a long breath.
+
+"It is lovely," she whispered.
+
+Not far from where they stopped was a white house, with the blinds
+closed. Vines ran about the front, and all seemed lonely.
+
+"Who lives there?" she asked, finding her tongue at last.
+
+"No one lives there now. A nice old man used to live there, but he
+had a good deal of sadness. He shut up the house, and went to live
+in a little place over near Bean Hill."
+
+He pointed over to another hill which rose in the east.
+
+Clematis would have liked to know more about the man who could leave
+such a lovely place, but the horse started on again.
+
+Soon they turned into another road, and before long were turning
+back toward the village.
+
+All the way along, Clematis could see the blue mountains in the
+distance. She could not take her eyes from them.
+
+"Well, there is your house," said the man, at last, pointing to a
+neat, white house.
+
+Clematis looked all about. Yes, there were gardens, and flowers, and
+fields, and trees.
+
+There was a cow down by a little brook.
+
+Everything she had hoped to find was there. There was a tall maple
+beside the house.
+
+"Well, this is Clematis, I guess," said a lady, coming down the
+path.
+
+"Thank you very much, Mr. Ladd. I see she came right side up."
+
+She took the bag Mr. Ladd handed down, and reached for the box that
+Clematis still hugged in her lap.
+
+Clematis started to explain, but Mrs. Alder did not wait. She was
+nervous and quick.
+
+She pulled the box out of her hands.
+
+"Why Clematis, what is in this box?" Mrs. Alder looked at it in
+surprise.
+
+Clematis did not answer. She gasped, and turned red as a rooster's
+comb.
+
+"It's her money, Mrs. Alder," said Mr. Ladd, laughing. "She has it
+tied up for safe keeping. The conductor told me so."
+
+Mrs. Alder lifted one corner of the box to peep in.
+
+There was a scratching sound, and then out popped a little white,
+furry head, with sharp ears, and one black eye.
+
+It was Deborah.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+THE COUNTRY
+
+
+When Mr. Ladd saw the little white head peep out, he put his head
+back and laughed.
+
+"I pity the rats in your barn now, Mrs. Alder," he shouted.
+
+Mrs. Alder frowned at first, but when she looked at Clematis, and
+saw her anxious face, she smiled.
+
+"What on earth made you bring that cat way up here?" she asked.
+
+"She's my own cat. I was afraid to leave her at the Home all alone.
+Would you like to leave your cat alone, where people might throw it
+away while you were gone?"
+
+Just then a tall man with a gray beard walked up.
+
+"Never mind, Mary," he said. "We have plenty of milk in the dairy,
+and plenty of rats in the barn."
+
+By this time Clematis had Deborah safe in her arms, and Mr. Alder
+led the way to the house, while Mr. Ladd drove off, laughing as he
+went.
+
+"Well, you can take the cat down to the barn. I won't have it in the
+house," said Mrs. Alder.
+
+"All right, we'll find a place for her," said Mr. Alder. He took
+Clematis by the hand, and they went down to the barn.
+
+A gray horse poked his head from a box stall to look at the little
+visitor, and a little red hen called her chickens, and hastened
+away, clucking, as if she were very angry.
+
+Clematis turned to look at her.
+
+"Did you ever have any chickens?" asked Mr. Alder.
+
+"Oh, no, I never saw any." Clematis could not take her eyes from the
+little chicks, as they ran after their anxious mother.
+
+"We have lots of things to show you here. Let's put your cat up in
+the loft now."
+
+They went up a set of stairs, and there was a loft, full of sweet
+hay.
+
+[Illustration: Clematis stuck one hand out]
+
+"There now, Mrs. Tabby, you will find a good bed, and good hunting
+here."
+
+"Her name isn't Tabby, it's Deborah," said Clematis, as she put her
+down.
+
+"Oh, that's quite a name. It suits her very well." Mr. Alder led the
+way down again.
+
+At the other end of the barn, a red and white calf came up to meet
+them.
+
+It put out its wet nose to smell the little visitor, and made her
+start back.
+
+"He wants to say 'how do'. He loves little girls," said Mr. Alder.
+
+Clematis stuck one hand out timidly, and pulled it back again, when
+the calf tried to lick it with his rough tongue.
+
+"He wants just a little taste," laughed Mr. Alder. "Come on now.
+Here is something else."
+
+At the end of the barn, Clematis could hear strange noises. There,
+in the yard, were some smooth, white animals running about.
+
+When Clematis came near the fence, they ran and put their fore feet
+up, and stuck their noses out.
+
+"Uff, uff," they said. Then they squealed.
+
+"Oh, I know! Those are pigs!" cried Clematis, clapping her hands.
+
+Eight clean, white pigs were grunting and squealing for their
+supper.
+
+"Squeal away, piggies," said Mr. Alder. "Supper will be along
+soon."
+
+In a moment, he brought from the dairy a bright milk pail. Then they
+went down to the gate, and he called:
+
+"Come boss, come boss. Come Betty."
+
+A sleek, plump cow came over the hill, and hurried down to the gate.
+It was just the color of a mouse.
+
+"Dear old Betty. Steady now." Betty pushed through, and walked fast
+to the barn, where she began to whisper to her calf, and lap it with
+her great rough tongue.
+
+As Clematis came up, Betty put her head down, and shook her horns.
+
+"Behave, Betty. You ought to be ashamed," said Mr. Alder. "You see,
+she won't let any strangers near her calf."
+
+Then he took some grain and put it in Betty's box, while he tied her
+head, and sat down on the stool beside her.
+
+Clematis had never seen a cow milked before, and stood watching the
+white streams which filled the foaming pail, as if Mr. Alder were a
+fairy. It seemed like magic.
+
+When the pail was full, Mr. Alder poured some into a shiny can, and
+took the rest to the dairy.
+
+There he poured it into a red machine, with a big bowl. He turned
+the handle, and soon two streams came out.
+
+"What is that for?" Clematis thought this might be some new magic.
+Indeed it was magic, almost.
+
+"This is the separator," answered Mr. Alder. "I pour the milk in at
+the top, and turn the handle. Then the cream comes out of one spout,
+and the skimmed milk from the other."
+
+"Oh, I see," said Clematis, though it really was all like magic to
+her.
+
+"Now I guess we are through. Let's go up and see what they have for
+supper."
+
+Mr. Alder took the empty pail, and led her back to the house, where
+supper was ready and waiting.
+
+The smell of hot biscuit made Clematis feel very hungry, and she was
+glad that supper was all ready.
+
+With the biscuit, was golden butter, and apple sauce.
+
+"Do you like warm milk right from the cow?" asked Mrs. Alder.
+
+"Yes'm," replied Clematis, with a nod.
+
+So Mrs. Alder put a little pitcher, with a glass, not much bigger
+than a thimble, beside her plate.
+
+She could pour it out herself, as often as she emptied her glass.
+
+"Better leave room for some fresh blueberry pie, and a piece of
+cheese," said Mr. Alder.
+
+[Illustration: The little red hen]
+
+Blueberry pie and cheese, hot biscuit and fresh milk, and golden
+butter, all she wanted; surely, Sally never had any supper better
+than this.
+
+The shadows were falling, and the August crickets were beginning
+their evening concert, when Clematis had eaten the last bit of pie
+on her plate.
+
+"The Sand Man is coming, I do believe," said Mr. Alder, as he
+reached over to pinch her cheek.
+
+"Well, I don't wonder, the trip was a long one for a little girl.
+You shall go right to bed, Clematis."
+
+Mrs. Alder took a lamp as she spoke, and led the little visitor to
+the stairs.
+
+"Good night, sleep tight, don't let the skeeters bite."
+
+Mr. Alder called after her as she went up.
+
+Clematis laughed. Her eyes were drooping, and her feet were heavy,
+as she climbed the stairs.
+
+"There now, we'll have you tucked in before a cat can say Jack
+Sprat," said Mrs. Alder, as she unbuttoned her boots.
+
+"Haven't I got to fold my clothes?" asked Clematis, as Mrs. Alder
+began picking them up.
+
+"Never mind about them tonight. Here's a wet cloth. We'll just have
+a quick wash, and into bed you go."
+
+The bed was soft; the pillows were softer; and the song of the
+evening breeze in the maple, without her open window, was softer
+still.
+
+"I am in the country," sighed Clematis. "I can hear the trees, and I
+can smell the flowers now. Tomorrow I will--"
+
+I wish I could tell you what she was going to do. I can't, for just
+then, she fell fast asleep.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+CLEMATIS TRIES TO HELP
+
+
+The birds in the maple tree woke Clematis early the next morning.
+
+For a minute she did not know where she was. Then she hopped out of
+bed and ran to the window.
+
+The sun was up. The birds were singing all about. The smell of
+clover and sweet grass came to her open window.
+
+There, across the valley, lay the mountains she saw in the evening.
+
+Now they were not blue. She could see the rocks and the bushes, in
+the morning light. But they were just as lovely as before.
+
+"Oh," she thought, "some day I'll go and climb up those mountains."
+
+Then she washed carefully at the stand by the window, for she
+remembered what Miss Rose had said.
+
+When she was dressed, she started down stairs. Then she thought
+again.
+
+"I must help all I can. I guess I'll make the bed."
+
+So she drew the clothes neatly over the bed, and smoothed the
+pillow. Then she went down.
+
+"Good morning, Clematis," said Mrs. Alder. "I see you get up before
+breakfast. Did you have a good sleep?"
+
+"Yes'm," replied Clematis. "Would you like me to help you?"
+
+"No, you had better run out and see what Mr. Alder is doing. You can
+help me after breakfast."
+
+So Clematis ran out.
+
+How loud the birds sounded in the clear air. How they chirped and
+twittered. How sweet the smell of the flowers, and how bright the
+sun.
+
+"Oh, there's the little red hen!" she cried. "But she has lost her
+chickens. Every one is gone."
+
+There was the little hen, sitting on the ground, near the barn
+door.
+
+Just then Mr. Alder came out with a pail of milk.
+
+"Oh, Mr. Alder, where have all the chickens gone?" cried Clematis.
+
+He laughed. "Dear me," he said. "I don't see them anywhere, do
+you?"
+
+"No, but they were all here last night."
+
+"I wonder if the rats caught them." Mr. Alder looked very sad.
+
+"Oh, dear, if they did, I'll tell Deborah."
+
+Clematis looked as if she were ready to cry.
+
+"Don't cry. I'll get a fairy to bring them back. You turn around and
+shut your eyes."
+
+He turned her around. "Now, are your eyes shut?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Now you must say, 'Fairy, Fairy, bring back my chicks.'"
+
+"Fairy, Fairy, bring back my chicks," said Clematis, laughing.
+
+She heard the little red hen clucking behind her. Then she heard the
+chickens peeping.
+
+"Turn round," said Mr. Alder.
+
+She opened her eyes; she turned around; and there were the chicks,
+running about their mother.
+
+She was just going to cry out in surprise, when the hen lifted her
+wings, and two more ran out from beneath them.
+
+"Oh, I know. She had them under her feathers all the time."
+
+Clematis laughed and danced about, while the red hen clucked to her
+chicks and walked off very angry indeed.
+
+Mr. Alder laughed also, and picked up the pail.
+
+"Do you see that patch of raspberries down there, just beyond the
+hen house?" he asked.
+
+Clematis nodded.
+
+"I think there are some big, late raspberries down there. Would you
+like to pick a few? You'll find them good."
+
+"For me to eat?"
+
+"Yes, eat all you can find. They are good for little city girls."
+
+"Oh, thank you." Clematis started toward the patch of raspberries.
+
+Then she stopped.
+
+"I must see Deborah first," she said. "I wonder if she caught any
+rats."
+
+"To be sure, I forgot Deborah. Give her my love."
+
+Mr. Alder went to separate his milk, while Clematis found Deborah
+sound asleep on the hay, and ready to visit the raspberry patch.
+
+Soon the bell for breakfast rang, and Clematis ran to the house. Her
+lips and fingers were red with raspberries, for she had found big
+ones.
+
+By her plate was her tiny glass, and a pitcher of rich milk. There
+were corn flakes, and shredded wheat first, and then toast, and
+bacon, and big baked apples with cream.
+
+Clematis had never really expected to have such things to eat. The
+stories other little girls had told her, all had seemed like fairy
+tales.
+
+"Now you can help me a while, if you wish," said Mrs. Alder, after
+breakfast. "Can you wash dishes?"
+
+"Oh, yes'm, I can do that all right."
+
+Clematis looked after Mr. Alder with longing eyes. He was going to
+feed the pigs. She longed to go too, but she knew she must help all
+she could.
+
+So she started in on the plates and cups.
+
+The water was hot, and she found it hard work to hold the china.
+Just as she was lifting a cup, it slipped from her hand.
+
+"Snick."
+
+"Gracious, what was that?" asked Mrs. Alder. She thought a good deal
+of her china.
+
+The cup was taken out. A piece was broken from the edge.
+
+"Oh, dear me. I have had those cups for twenty years. I guess I'll
+finish the dishes."
+
+Clematis said nothing, but turned very red. She almost cried, she
+was so ashamed.
+
+"Well, don't worry too much about it," said Mrs. Alder. "You can
+help me with the beds. I'm sure you can make your bed without doing
+any harm."
+
+"Oh, yes'm, I've made it already."
+
+"Made it already? When?"
+
+"Why, when I got up, before breakfast."
+
+"Mercy! Go right up and pull the clothes back. It must always air
+for an hour."
+
+Poor Clematis went up and pulled the clothes back to air.
+
+"How can I help, if every single thing I do is wrong?" Clematis
+spoke crossly out the window at the robin on the edge of the roof.
+
+Then she felt a crumb in her pocket, and pushed up the screen to
+throw it out.
+
+Mr. Robin flew away, and Mrs. Alder came in at that moment.
+
+"Dear child, what on earth have you put up that screen for? Do you
+want to fill the house with flies?"
+
+"No'm, I didn't know--"
+
+"Oh, well, never mind. You don't know much, I guess. I promised to
+take you, and I'll keep my word, but it's no use trying to fit city
+children into real homes."
+
+Mrs. Alder shut the screen with a bang.
+
+"There now, you run along out doors. I guess you and Mr. Alder will
+get along all right, but don't touch anything."
+
+"Hello, it looks like rain. What's the trouble, sister?"
+
+Mr. Alder smiled and pinched her cheek, as he met Clematis at the
+back door.
+
+"I tried to help," said Clematis, drying her eyes.
+
+"Oh, I see. You didn't do things quite right, did you? Well, I
+wouldn't fret about that. I don't do things quite right, myself."
+
+Clematis smiled through her tears.
+
+"Come on now, and help me pick some late peas for dinner. You will
+like that, I am sure."
+
+He took her hand, and soon she was happy again.
+
+"There, you picked two quarts, and did it well, too. Now take these
+up to Mrs. Alder, and tell her you can shell them out, every one,
+without hurting a thing."
+
+"Oh," said Mrs. Alder, in the kitchen. "You think you can shell
+peas, do you? Well, take them out under the maple tree. Then I won't
+have the pods all around the kitchen."
+
+And Clematis proved that she could shell peas, after all.
+
+Mrs. Alder gave her a cookie for her pay, and said she had done very
+well.
+
+"I guess you'll get along all right, if you stay out doors," she
+said.
+
+"Thanks," said Clematis, eating the cookie as she went out. She was
+glad enough to stay out doors.
+
+[Illustration: Clematis watched the little fishes by the shore]
+
+"I'll help Mr. Alder all the time," she said to herself. "I'll feed
+the pigs, and the hens, and I guess he'll be glad I'm here."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+ONLY A FEW DAYS MORE
+
+
+Clematis did help Mr. Alder, and tried hard, in her way, to make
+herself useful.
+
+She helped Mrs. Alder too, for she went on errands to the village
+every time she was asked.
+
+Every day she went to the Post Office. She took home the letters and
+carried home bundles from the stores.
+
+Clematis loved this walk, because the road ran down by Knapp's saw
+mill, and by the river.
+
+Near the stocking mill, the river came right up to the road, and she
+could even see the little fish, in the clear water.
+
+Sometimes she stopped longer than she thought, and was late getting
+back, but Mrs. Alder did not scold her.
+
+"The less we expect of her, the less we shall be disappointed," she
+would say.
+
+On Sunday, they all went down to church to hear Mr. Sampson preach.
+
+He smiled at her in his kindly way, when she went out.
+
+"Let me see, I don't know your name, do I?" he asked, taking her
+hand.
+
+"It's Clematis."
+
+"Well, Clematis, I'm glad to see you. I hope you will come again."
+
+"That little girl looks just like another little girl I used to
+know," he said to Mr. Alder.
+
+"She is here for a week or two. Doctor Wyatt sent her up." Mr. Alder
+whispered to him a minute, before they went away.
+
+"How would you like to take a long walk this afternoon, Clematis?"
+said Mr. Alder, while she was eating her ice cream and cake.
+
+"Oh, yes, let's." Clematis was glad enough. She never liked Sundays
+very well.
+
+"Good, we can walk up Bean Hill, if you think you can go that far."
+
+[Illustration: She could see the little fish]
+
+"Oh, I can walk farther than that."
+
+So they started out, while Mrs. Alder lay down for a nap.
+
+They didn't go by the road, but crossed the river in a boat that Mr.
+Alder kept tied to the bank.
+
+Then they walked through the trees and meadows by the path.
+
+Clematis was full of joy. New birds sang here. New trees, and new
+flowers met her at each turn.
+
+After they had walked about a mile, they came to a little cabin, set
+among maple trees.
+
+"Who lives here?" asked Clematis. It looked like the cabins she had
+seen in her picture books.
+
+"No one lives here now. This is where they boil down their sap in
+the spring. They make maple syrup, and maple sugar."
+
+There were the big pans, turned upside down, and the pails that
+caught the sap.
+
+Her mouth watered as she thought of all the maple sugar they had
+made in that little cabin. She wanted to stay longer, but Mr. Alder
+started on.
+
+"We must get along, I want to see Mr. Brooks before we go home."
+
+"Who is Mr. Brooks?"
+
+"Mr. Brooks is a good man who lives over here on the side of Bean
+Hill. He lives all alone by himself."
+
+"Oh," replied Clematis, "is he the man who owns the white house with
+the vines, and has had so much sadness?"
+
+"Yes. How did you know about him?"
+
+"Mr. Ladd stopped near his house. He told me."
+
+The walk was a long one, and Clematis was glad when she saw the
+little cottage on the hillside.
+
+"Here we are. There is Mr. Brooks now, working over his flowers."
+Mr. Alder went over to the little garden, where a man with white
+hair was pulling out weeds.
+
+"Good day, Mr. Alder. Glad enough to see you. Come up and sit on the
+piazza."
+
+Mr. Brooks smiled, as he wiped his hands.
+
+"And here is a lady, too," he added. "I believe I have never met
+her."
+
+He held out his hand to Clematis with a kindly smile, and led them
+to the piazza.
+
+Mr. Alder told him who she was, while Clematis was looking at the
+neat little cottage.
+
+A vine was growing about the door, with little white flowers,
+peeping out from its green leaves.
+
+Mr. Brooks saw her looking at it.
+
+"Do you like the flowers?" he asked.
+
+"Yes,--it is just the same."
+
+"What do you mean? What is just the same?"
+
+"Why, just the same vine as the one on the white house."
+
+"She saw the old home place when she drove over with Mr. Ladd," said
+Mr. Alder. "She remembered the vine."
+
+"I am glad you like it. You ought to like it, Clematis, because it
+has your own name," added Mr. Alder.
+
+"Well, well, is her name Clematis?" Mr. Brooks took her on his knee
+and looked into her face.
+
+"I wish I had a little girl like you," he said.
+
+She sat there on his knee, while he talked with Mr. Alder.
+
+"I hope you will come again, Clematis. You will, if you get a
+chance, won't you?" Mr. Brooks said, as they started to go.
+
+He brought out a big, sweet pear, and put it into her hand.
+
+"You can eat that on the way home," he said.
+
+All the way home Clematis kept thinking of Mr. Brooks, and the vine,
+and how he had looked into her face while she sat on his knee.
+
+She had never known any father or mother, and people didn't have
+time to hold her that way at the Home.
+
+"Could we go again?" she asked, as they crossed the river.
+
+"Well, perhaps. We'll see."
+
+When they got home, Mrs. Alder was sitting on the back steps.
+
+Beside her, in the grass, lay three dead chickens.
+
+"How on earth did those chickens get killed?" asked Mr. Alder, as he
+took one in his hand.
+
+"Why on earth did that child ever bring her old cat up here? That's
+what I'd like to know." Mrs. Alder was cross.
+
+"Did Deborah do that? Dear me! We'll have to shut her up in the
+loft."
+
+"That's where she is, and that's where she'll stay," said Mrs.
+Alder. "Remember now, Clematis. Don't you let her get out again."
+
+"Yes'm," said Clematis.
+
+She didn't know what else to say, so she went sadly to the loft.
+There she found Deborah, sleeping sweetly, as if she had never done
+a thing wrong in the world.
+
+She sat down by the open window, and looked across the river valley,
+and across the lake, to the mountains.
+
+"Oh dear!" she sighed.
+
+She heard Mrs. Alder speaking.
+
+"I don't care, I think the Doctor was asking a good deal of us, to
+keep a strange child like that."
+
+"Well, Mary, never mind. It is only for a few days longer. I guess
+we can stand it. Think of the pleasure it gives Clematis."
+
+Mr. Alder spoke kindly, but as Clematis heard the words, she turned
+pale.
+
+"Only a few days more. Only a few days more." The words went through
+her mind again and again.
+
+She had never thought about going back. Two weeks seems a long, long
+time to little girls. Only a few days more before she must leave
+Tilton.
+
+Clematis put her elbows on the window sill, and rested her chin in
+her hands.
+
+The sun was setting behind the maple tree. The golden rays gleamed
+in the white mist that had risen from the river, for it was a cold
+evening.
+
+In the distance the Belmont mountains were a deep, misty blue, and
+the clouds above them all white and gold.
+
+Now all the valley was filling with a golden mist. The birds were
+singing in the trees along the banks of the river. They filled the
+evening air with joyous songs.
+
+"Only a few days more. Only a few days more."
+
+Soon she must go back to the brick walls, and the yard with the high
+fence around it.
+
+When Mr. Alder came to call Clematis for supper, her eyes were red,
+and her cheeks pale.
+
+"Never mind, dear little girl," he said. "We'll keep Deborah shut
+up. I guess we can spare the chickens. We have plenty more."
+
+She said nothing, but went silently in for the evening meal. She had
+forgotten all about the chickens. All through supper the words ran
+in her head, and the last thing in her mind as she fell asleep was
+this thought:
+
+"Only a few days more."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+WHERE IS CLEMATIS?
+
+
+On Monday Clematis found a big, blue envelope, with the other mail.
+
+"I guess you have a letter for your own self this time," said Mr.
+Morse, as he handed her the mail.
+
+Clematis did not stop to look at the little fishes by the shore. She
+hurried straight home.
+
+It was a letter for her own self. Miss Rose sent it to her.
+
+"Oh, I wish I had learned to read. Please read mine first, Mrs.
+Alder?"
+
+"Do you think that is polite?" asked Mrs. Alder.
+
+"No'm, but you get lots of letters."
+
+"That is true. Well, let us see."
+
+She opened the envelope, while Clematis got close to her side.
+
+  "Dear little Clematis:
+
+  I hope you are well, and having a good time. I am sure you
+  must be having a splendid time, for Tilton is a lovely place.
+  I wish I were with you.
+
+  What a naughty girl you were to take Deborah, when she was not
+  invited. I hope Mrs. Alder has forgiven you.
+
+  I am going to ask Mrs. Alder to send you home on the afternoon
+  train Saturday, so you will be all ready when school begins.
+
+  I shall be at the train to meet you. Don't forget Deborah.
+
+                                         Your true friend,
+                                              Rose Thornton."
+
+"That is a good letter for a little girl to get, I am sure. Now run
+out and play, while I read my letters."
+
+Clematis went out, rather slowly. The letter made her think again of
+the end of her stay, and she was sad.
+
+But the sun was bright, the breeze was cool, and the birds sang
+merrily.
+
+She saw Mr. Alder down in the garden, and ran to him.
+
+"Can I help you, Mr. Alder?"
+
+"I think not. I am weeding late carrots, and I think you would not
+know them from weeds."
+
+"I should know them, honestly. Just let me try a little bit."
+
+"Well, then, take this little trowel. Make the earth loose around
+them, and then pull the weeds out with your fingers."
+
+Clematis kneeled in the soft earth, and began to work with the
+trowel.
+
+She weeded the row across from Mr. Alder, where he could see what
+she was doing.
+
+"Well, I declare! You are a real gardener." Mr. Alder patted her
+shoulder, and praised her well when she had done several feet of her
+row.
+
+The little green tops of the carrots all stood straight and clean.
+Every weed was gone, but no carrots were hurt.
+
+"I told you I could do it. You did not believe me, did you?"
+
+Clematis smiled happily.
+
+"Well, I do now. I never saw any one do better."
+
+So the man and the little girl worked side by side beneath the
+August sun.
+
+The smell of the warm earth, and the fresh growing things all around
+her, made Clematis breathe deeply.
+
+She could hear the birds singing, and see the mountains, across the
+lakes.
+
+While she was hard at work, she almost forgot to be sad because she
+was going back on the Saturday train.
+
+"Just look at that child," said Mrs. Alder, when they went in to
+wash for dinner. "Has she been weeding in her good clothes?"
+
+"She has weeded two whole rows of carrots, I know that much. I'll
+get her some new clothes when those wear out. She is as much help at
+weeding as a man."
+
+Clematis was as proud of that, as Deborah was with her first rat. In
+the afternoon Mrs. Alder found her a pair of small overalls. These
+covered her dress and kept her clean.
+
+It was a happy child that came in at evening. She had worked
+steadily, in the hot sun and the breeze, and had finished all the
+carrots.
+
+"You don't know how much help that has been, Clematis," said Mr.
+Alder. "It tires my back to weed carrots, and now they are all
+done."
+
+"I will weed tomorrow, too," she said, happy with her praise.
+
+There was plenty to do, as there always is on a farm, and Clematis
+was busy all day.
+
+"I don't see how she learns so quickly," exclaimed Mr. Alder, when
+he was telling Mr. Ladd about her.
+
+"I suppose it is because she naturally loves it," he answered. "It
+seems too bad that she couldn't live here in the country, she seems
+to love it so."
+
+"Yes. I wish Mrs. Alder was better, and took to children more.
+Clematis is clumsy in the house, but out in the garden she is right
+at home."
+
+So the days went on, with sunshine and clouds, and Saturday came
+nearer and nearer.
+
+"Clematis, what have you been doing to the calendar in your room?"
+asked Mrs. Alder, at dinner on Friday.
+
+"I was just looking to see how many days till Saturday."
+
+"Well, you needn't muss it up that way."
+
+Every morning Clematis had taken it down and counted the days with
+her fingers.
+
+Friday evening she did not eat much supper, and was very silent.
+
+"Longing to get back home, I guess," said Mrs. Alder. "Well, dear,
+you will be back with the other children tomorrow. I know what it
+is. I was homesick myself when I was a child."
+
+Clematis did not answer. She didn't know how to tell what it was
+that troubled her, so she said nothing.
+
+The stars were bright, and the tiny moon was low in the sky, before
+the weary eyes closed in sleep.
+
+Clematis had been thinking, and thinking. Tomorrow was Saturday.
+
+Early in the morning she was awake again, by the window.
+
+She leaned her head on her hands, and began to think again.
+
+"That is what he said," she repeated, half aloud.
+
+"That is just what he said. If he didn't mean it, why did he say
+it?"
+
+At the breakfast table, Mrs. Alder noticed how pale her cheeks
+were.
+
+"Try to eat some toast, dear," said Mrs. Alder. "You will soon be
+home again. Only a few hours more now."
+
+Clematis raised her eyes, and gave Mrs. Alder a strange look.
+
+"That child does beat all," said Mrs. Alder, after breakfast. "She
+seems to be thinking a lot, but she keeps as quiet as a stone jug."
+
+"She is thinking; you may be sure of that," Mr. Alder replied.
+
+All the morning Clematis went about silently, except when she was in
+the loft with Deborah. Then she talked.
+
+"I shan't be afraid. I am a big girl, Debby, and I shan't be a mite
+afraid."
+
+Deborah could not speak, but she snuggled up close, and purred, so
+Clematis knew just what she meant.
+
+"Be sure to have all your things ready, Clematis," called Mrs.
+Alder.
+
+"We shall have an early dinner, for Mr. Ladd will be here about one
+o'clock to take you to the station."
+
+"Yes'm," said Clematis, and she went slowly to her room.
+
+Before long, all was ready, and dinner was on the table.
+
+"Now, let's eat a big dinner. I roasted a chicken especially for
+you."
+
+How good the roast chicken smelled! There were baked potatoes, and
+peas, and beans, too.
+
+Clematis was hungry now. She ate, and ate, and ate.
+
+"Good girl." Mr. Alder patted her on the head. "Travelers must be
+well fed."
+
+"Be sure to wash all the blueberry off your mouth," added Mrs.
+Alder, as Clematis got down.
+
+Clematis went to the sink and washed her face and hands. Then she
+went to the back door.
+
+"Don't forget Deborah's satin dress, and velvet hat?" called Mr.
+Alder.
+
+She turned and smiled back at him, as she went out.
+
+Soon Mr. Ladd drove up.
+
+"I came a bit early," he said. "I've got some milk for the Seminary.
+Is Clematis ready?"
+
+"Yes, all ready, I guess. She just went out to get her cat."
+
+Mrs. Alder went to the back door and called.
+
+She waited a minute, but Clematis did not come.
+
+She called again. No Clematis. "Please go and get her, Henry," she
+said to Mr. Alder. "Tell her to come right in."
+
+After a few minutes Mr. Alder came back. He looked puzzled.
+
+"Well, where is Clematis?" asked Mrs. Alder.
+
+"I don't know."
+
+"Don't know? Isn't she in the loft?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Well, perhaps she went to say goodby to the pigs."
+
+"She isn't there."
+
+"She must be around here somewhere. She has no wings; she can't
+fly."
+
+"I'm not so sure of that." Mr. Alder smiled in a puzzled way at Mr.
+Ladd.
+
+"That's just like you men."
+
+Mrs. Alder went to the door and called as loudly as she could. Then
+she went to the barn and called again.
+
+She looked all about. Mr. Alder looked all about. Mr. Ladd looked
+all about.
+
+They all called once more.
+
+It was of no use. Clematis was gone.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+HUNTING FOR CLEMATIS
+
+
+Mr. Alder looked at Mr. Ladd. Mr. Ladd looked at Mrs. Alder. They
+all looked at each other.
+
+What should they do?
+
+"Well," said Mrs. Alder at last, "you drive down street with Mr.
+Ladd and find out if any one has seen her. I will look all about the
+farm."
+
+The men had not gone far down the street when they met a boy.
+
+"Hi, Ned! have you seen our little girl?" called Mr. Alder.
+
+"Who, Clematis? Have you lost her?"
+
+"No, she has lost herself. Have you seen her?"
+
+"My gracious, no." His blue eyes opened almost as wide as butter
+plates.
+
+"Well, tell any one you see that she's lost; that's a good boy."
+
+"My gracious, I guess I will."
+
+Off ran little Ned Atkinson, as fast as his legs would carry him.
+
+He told every one he met, but no one had seen Clematis.
+
+Not far down the street Mr. Knapp came rolling out of his yard.
+
+"Have you seen that little girl of ours, Mr. Knapp?"
+
+"Yes, yes. I saw her. She's a likely gal. Quite spry."
+
+"Where was she?" Both men spoke at once.
+
+[Illustration: "I sha'n't be afraid"]
+
+"Oh, right along here, yesterday morning."
+
+"I mean today. Have you seen her today?"
+
+"No, no, I haven't set eyes on her today. What's the matter? Is she
+lost?"
+
+"It looks as if she were lost. We can't find her."
+
+"Well, she'll be back.
+
+                  'Let 'em alone,
+                  And they'll come home,
+                  Wagging their tails behind them.'"
+
+They heard his great voice echo down the river, as they drove on.
+
+Nobody had seen Clematis. Nobody knew anything about her.
+
+Mrs. Alder looked everywhere at home.
+
+Her bag and box were neatly packed and ready, but there was no sign
+of the little girl who owned them.
+
+Many people were looking for Clematis that afternoon.
+
+Ned Atkinson ran everywhere, telling people about the lost girl.
+
+They looked in the woods and in the fields. They looked all along
+the river banks.
+
+When night came, they were still hunting, but had found no trace of
+Clematis.
+
+"I can't sleep a wink tonight," said Mrs. Alder. "I think the child
+must be crazy, to run off like that."
+
+"I don't feel much like sleep myself," Mr. Alder replied.
+
+"I wonder where she can be hiding."
+
+The next morning many people came to ask if Clematis had been
+found.
+
+"No, no, no. There isn't a sign of her anywhere. I don't know what
+we shall do."
+
+Mrs. Alder made the same answer to every one.
+
+During the day people still looked about in new places.
+
+Afternoon came again, but no Clematis came with it.
+
+Towards evening, Mr. Brooks was sitting in his chair by his little
+cottage, reading a book.
+
+The sun was sinking behind the mountains in the west.
+
+The birds were singing their evening songs, in the trees by the
+brook.
+
+All was quiet and peaceful.
+
+As he sat there, Mr. Brooks heard steps on the path.
+
+He looked down and saw a little girl. In her arms was a cat, with a
+black spot over one eye.
+
+The child stumbled as she walked. She seemed ready to drop, she was
+so tired.
+
+"Why, little girl, where did you come from?" cried Mr. Brooks.
+
+He got up and went down to meet her.
+
+Then she raised her pale face, and he saw that it was Clematis. Her
+face and hands were soiled; her hair was tangled; her dress was
+dusty and torn.
+
+"Oh, little maid," he said. "Did you walk way over here to see me?"
+
+"Yes," said Clematis, faintly. "I said I would, and I did."
+
+"Dear child, you are worn out. Come in and rest."
+
+He took her into the little house, and got a basin and water.
+
+"There, dear, wash your face and hands. You will feel better.
+
+"Now sit down, Clematis," said Mr. Brooks, when she had finished
+washing her face and hands, "and we will have a bite to eat."
+
+He cut a slice of bread. On this he spread some butter, and
+sprinkled a little sugar.
+
+Clematis watched him with hungry eyes.
+
+"Dear child, you must be starved," he said, as she took a great
+bite.
+
+"Wouldn't you be hungry if you hadn't had any breakfast or dinner?"
+
+Clematis took another big bite.
+
+"No breakfast? No dinner? Where have you been all day?"
+
+"I stayed in the little house where they boil the sap."
+
+The bread was nearly gone now.
+
+"Did you run away this morning?"
+
+Mr. Brooks was cutting another slice.
+
+"No, I stayed there last night."
+
+"You stayed there all last night? Child! I should think you would
+have frozen. There was frost last night."
+
+"I did freeze," said Clematis, beginning on the second slice.
+
+Mr. Brooks looked at her a moment in silence, while she ate.
+
+"I never heard anything to beat that," he said at last, as he
+reached once more for the bread.
+
+"Mrs. Alder will be very anxious."
+
+Clematis shook her head.
+
+"No she won't. She'll be glad I'm gone."
+
+Mr. Brooks smiled.
+
+"Well, Mr. Alder will, anyway. As soon as you have eaten a few
+loaves of bread, I'll get Mr. Giles's horse. They will be glad
+enough to see you again."
+
+Clematis put down her bread. Her lips quivered, and her eyes filled
+with tears.
+
+"Don't you want me?" she said.
+
+"My dear child, what do you mean?"
+
+"You said you wished you had a little girl."
+
+"Did I say that?"
+
+"Yes, you said you wished you had a little girl, and you can have
+me. Nobody wants me, except you.
+
+"I can make my bed, and wash dishes, and I don't say slang words any
+more, and I can weed everything in your garden."
+
+[Illustration: In Grandfather's house]
+
+Poor Clematis, she had never said so much at one time in her life.
+
+Then she burst into tears. She was tired, and worn, and faint.
+
+Mr. Brooks took her into his lap. He hardly knew what to say to
+comfort her.
+
+"Have you no father or mother?" he asked.
+
+"No," she sobbed, "I haven't anybody at all."
+
+"You see I am all alone here. I haven't any good place to keep a
+little girl."
+
+"I don't care, I can sleep on the floor."
+
+Her eyes were drooping, and she was growing quiet. Her head rested
+on his shoulder.
+
+Mr. Brooks was thinking what to say, when he looked down at her
+face.
+
+Her brown eyes were closed, and she was fast asleep.
+
+He held her there a while. Then he took her into the next room, and
+laid her on the bed.
+
+Covered with a warm blanket, she sighed softly, and sank into a deep
+slumber.
+
+"I can't take her home tonight. She ought to have a long, quiet
+sleep," said Mr. Brooks to himself.
+
+He watched her a while. Then he went out, up the mountain to Mr.
+Giles's house.
+
+There he telephoned to Atkinson's store.
+
+In another minute a little boy was racing up the street. He called
+to every one on his way:
+
+"Clematis is found! Clematis is found! She's up on Bean Hill."
+
+Ned shouted at the top of his voice.
+
+Clematis would have been surprised, if she had seen how glad Mrs.
+Alder was to know that she was safe.
+
+They sent a message to Miss Rose, and told her that Clematis was
+found.
+
+Every one was glad. Every one asked how she ever got way up there on
+Bean Hill, but no one knew.
+
+All this time Clematis was sleeping quietly.
+
+When Mr. Brooks returned, she had not stirred.
+
+He stood and looked at her a long, long time.
+
+When he turned away there were tears in his eyes.
+
+"Poor little elf," he whispered. "She thought I meant just what I
+said."
+
+He spread some blankets on the floor, and lay down, but he did not
+go to sleep.
+
+His thoughts went back to a book he had been reading.
+
+It was about Silas Marner, a man who was sad and lonely.
+
+Silas Marner took a little girl into his tiny house to care for, and
+she made his life happy again.
+
+"Silas Marner did not have so large a home as this," he thought.
+"But he took good care of the little girl. How happy they were
+together."
+
+The little face, all wet with tears, came before him again and
+again.
+
+"I might keep her for a little while, at least," he said to himself.
+"I will see what Mr. Alder thinks in the morning."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+NEW PLANS
+
+
+When Mr. Brooks woke in the morning, Clematis was already up. She
+had washed her face and hands at the spring, near the door, and was
+sitting on the step.
+
+"Oho, so the little bird woke first, did she?" said Mr. Brooks.
+
+Clematis nodded, and looked up shyly.
+
+"I was thinking about you last night before I went to sleep. Suppose
+I should keep you with me for a little while. Do you think you would
+like that?"
+
+"Oh, I would help like anything," she cried. "You just try me, and
+see."
+
+"Well, I will talk to Mr. Alder, and perhaps you can stay for a
+while, at least."
+
+So Mr. Brooks talked with Mr. Alder. Then he wrote to Mrs. Snow.
+
+Yes, Clematis might stay a week.
+
+How hard she tried!
+
+"I'll wash and wipe all the dishes," she said.
+
+The very first day she broke a cup. Then she cried.
+
+"Dear me, don't feel bad about that. You are doing the best you can,
+I know."
+
+Mr. Brooks laughed, and Clematis smiled again.
+
+"Men don't care so much about dishes," she said to herself.
+
+To be sure, Clematis had not learned to do much, but she had learned
+to do her best.
+
+Mr. Brooks found that she could help in many ways, and she was so
+anxious to do her best, that he gladly forgave her mistakes.
+
+He made her a little bed in the room upstairs.
+
+At evening, she could hear the wind whispering in the trees, and the
+little brook that ran down from the spring.
+
+In the morning, she could see the lakes and mountains across the
+valley, as she sat by her open window, while the birds hopped about
+on the twigs, and sang their sweetest songs.
+
+[Illustration: A little girl was coming up the path]
+
+Deborah slept each night in a little box close by her bed, and
+followed her about all day long.
+
+The week passed very quickly. On Friday, Mr. Brooks saw that she was
+silent and thoughtful.
+
+"I don't think I can spare you yet," he said at breakfast. "I must
+ask Mrs. Snow to let you stay another week, at least."
+
+Clematis was never so happy. She smiled and hummed a little song all
+the morning. Now and then she would stop to pat Deborah, who slept
+by the stove.
+
+"He is going to let me stay another week, Debby!" she would whisper.
+"Another week, another whole week."
+
+This week was passing also, when Clematis had a great surprise.
+
+It was a letter from Miss Rose.
+
+"Oh, read it to me, read it to me!" she exclaimed, as she climbed up
+into Mr. Brooks's lap.
+
+So he opened the envelope and read:
+
+  "Dear Clematis:
+
+  Mr. Brooks has asked us if he might keep you for a year. Do
+  you think you would like to stay?
+
+  I shall go to see you in Tilton next week, so you must be
+  thinking it over, and decide if you really want to stay?
+
+                                         Your true friend,
+                                              Rose Thornton."
+
+After he had finished, Clematis was silent for a moment. Then she
+looked up at him with a happy smile.
+
+"Please read it again," she said.
+
+So he read it again, while she sat still in his lap.
+
+"Do you think you would really like to stay?" he asked, when he had
+finished.
+
+Clematis patted his hand, and snuggled her face against his
+shoulder.
+
+"Can Debby stay, too?" she asked.
+
+"Of course she can. We couldn't get along without Debby."
+
+That night Clematis looked out at the golden light, just fading from
+the mountains.
+
+A star was twinkling in the sky. The brook was bubbling down among
+the trees, and the wind hummed a little tune in their soft
+branches.
+
+She was very happy.
+
+"I am going to be happy always now," she said.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+THE TRUE FAIRY STORY
+
+
+The next week they got Mr. Giles's horse, and drove down to meet
+Miss Rose at the station.
+
+How glad Clematis was to see her!
+
+She sat in her lap all the way back to Bean Hill, and told her about
+the mountains, the lakes, the trees, and the birds.
+
+"So you think you would like to stay a whole year, do you?" asked
+Miss Rose.
+
+Clematis smiled and nodded.
+
+"Deborah can stay too," she said.
+
+When they got to the little cottage, Miss Rose went in with Mr.
+Brooks, and had a long talk.
+
+She told him all she knew about Clematis.
+
+He listened while she told him how Clematis ran away, how the
+policeman found her, and how she came to the Home.
+
+"Have you any trace of her father and mother?"
+
+"No, they said the father's name was Jones, but I am not sure that
+was her father's true name. Both her father and mother died when she
+was a baby, they say."
+
+Mr. Brooks looked puzzled.
+
+"Did the mother leave nothing when she died, that people might know
+her by?"
+
+Miss Rose reached into her little black bag and brought out the
+picture. Mr. Brooks did not take it at first.
+
+"They said the father's name was Jones; did they tell you his first
+name?" he asked.
+
+"No, just Jones. I could learn no other name."
+
+Miss Rose held out the picture, and Mr. Brooks's hand trembled as he
+took it.
+
+After one look, he carried it to the window.
+
+There he held it to the light, and gazed at it a long time.
+
+"Do you see some one there you know?" asked Miss Rose.
+
+"Wouldn't you know your own daughter, if you saw her?"
+
+Miss Rose smiled. Then she saw tears in his eyes.
+
+"Please forgive me for smiling," she said. "You reminded me so much
+of Clematis. She asks questions just like that."
+
+"Well, wouldn't you expect her to be like her own grandfather?"
+
+Then Mr. Brooks smiled too.
+
+"Is she really your grandchild?" exclaimed Miss Rose.
+
+"Yes, she is, she must be. This is her mother here."
+
+He pointed to one of the girls in the picture.
+
+"This was taken in front of the Seminary, a year before she ran away
+to be married."
+
+"Oh, it seems just like a fairy story. I can hardly believe it."
+
+Miss Rose looked again at the picture.
+
+"Yes, it is like a fairy story," Mr. Brooks replied. "Dear, wayward
+girl. She needn't have run away. I would have gladly forgiven her."
+
+"Then you will take Clematis to live with you, I suppose."
+
+"Yes indeed. I have wondered about that name, Clematis. Her mother
+loved flowers. She loved the clematis vine about the door most of
+all."
+
+"I suppose she named Clematis in memory of her dear old home," said
+Miss Rose.
+
+Then Mr. Brooks told Miss Rose about the white house on the hill.
+
+"I suppose we ought to move back there, now," he said. "Then
+Clematis can go to the Union School, and grow up like other
+children."
+
+"It is wonderful. It is a fairy story, I am sure," she replied, "for
+the fairies must have led Clematis to your door. She will be the
+happiest child alive, when we tell her."
+
+And Clematis was the happiest girl alive, when they called her in
+and told her the whole story.
+
+She climbed into her grandfather's lap, and held his hand, while
+Miss Rose told it just like a fairy tale.
+
+"Are we going to live in the house where all the vines are?" she
+asked, when Miss Rose was done.
+
+"Yes, dear, you are."
+
+"And I can stay there always?"
+
+"Yes, Clematis."
+
+"And will you be my grandpa always?"
+
+She looked up at Mr. Brooks. He smiled and kissed her hot cheek.
+
+"Yes, little maiden. You shall be my housekeeper, and we shall be as
+happy as robins in an apple tree."
+
+So Miss Rose went back to Boston, and told them all the story.
+
+The children made her tell it over and over again. They said it was
+better than any fairy tale they had ever read.
+
+"And did she really sleep out in the woods alone?" asked Sally.
+
+"And does her grandfather really and truly have a big white house on
+a hill?" asked Jane.
+
+"Yes, yes, yes. It is all true, every word of it," answered Miss
+Rose.
+
+Even Clematis could hardly believe it all, at first.
+
+She followed her grandfather all about, wherever he went, for fear
+he might fly away, and never come back.
+
+In the golden October, they moved up to the white house on the hill,
+grandfather, Clematis, and Deborah.
+
+There Clematis had the room over the porch, where the vines climbed
+around her window. She could look out each morning, and see the
+river, and the lakes, with the mountains beyond.
+
+She felt a little strange among all the new people she saw each day,
+and she had very much to learn. But Clematis learned the best thing
+of all, to do the best she could, and she soon grew into a sweet,
+useful girl.
+
+Her little friends loved her, and her teachers helped her, for she
+tried to please them, and never complained because things were not
+easy to do.
+
+When she heard that Sally and the other girls could hardly believe
+her story, she went and whispered to her grandfather.
+
+"May I?" she asked.
+
+"Of course you may," he said, "as many as you want."
+
+Then she wrote a letter all her own self. She invited all the girls
+her own age, at the Home, to visit her the next summer, and see for
+themselves.
+
+So if you ever go to Tilton, you must look about for a strong, happy
+girl, with big brown eyes, who studies her lessons, and works in the
+garden, and has the happiest time any girl ever had, with her
+grandfather, in the big white house on the hill.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Clematis, by Bertha B. Cobb and Ernest Cobb
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CLEMATIS ***
+
+***** This file should be named 26543.txt or 26543.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        https://www.gutenberg.org/2/6/5/4/26543/
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
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