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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Randy's Summer, by Amy Brooks
+
+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: Randy's Summer
+       A Story for Girls
+
+Author: Amy Brooks
+
+Release Date: June 15, 2011 [EBook #36429]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RANDY'S SUMMER ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+                            Popular Stories
+                             By AMY BROOKS.
+              Each Beautifully Illustrated by the Author.
+
+                            The Randy Books.
+                   THREE VOLUMES READY. 12MO. CLOTH.
+                  STRIKING COVER DESIGN BY THE AUTHOR.
+
+               RANDY’S SUMMER. Price $1.00
+               RANDY’S WINTER. Price 1.00
+               RANDY AND HER FRIENDS. Price 80 cents, net
+
+
+                          For Younger Readers.
+                  A JOLLY CAT TALE. Large 12mo. Cloth.
+                   Profusely Illustrated. Price $1.00
+                   DOROTHY DAINTY. Large 12mo. Cloth.
+         Cover Design by the Author. Set in large English type.
+                          Price 80 cents, net
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: “With the Book upon her Lap, and one Arm around her
+Little Sister” Page 24]
+
+
+
+
+                             RANDY’S SUMMER
+
+                           A STORY FOR GIRLS
+
+                                   BY
+
+                               AMY BROOKS
+
+                    WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE AUTHOR
+
+                                 BOSTON
+                      LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS
+                                  1902
+
+
+
+
+                  Copyright, 1900, by Lee and Shepard.
+                         _All Rights Reserved._
+                            RANDY’S SUMMER.
+
+                             Norwood Press
+                  J. S. Cushing & Co.—Berwick & Smith
+                          Norwood Mass. U.S.A.
+
+
+
+
+                                CONTENTS
+
+               CHAPTER                                  PAGE
+                     I Randy and the Fairy Tales           1
+                    II At the Brook                       16
+                   III Randy at Church                    37
+                    IV Prue’s Mishap                      52
+                     V Helen Dayton’s Call                70
+                    VI The Picnic                         88
+                   VII Randy Outwits Jason Meade         111
+                  VIII Tableaux                          124
+                    IX Callers                           146
+                     X The Apple-Bee                     173
+                    XI An Unexpected Visitor             199
+                   XII A Wedding Feast                   218
+
+
+
+
+                         LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+    “With the book upon her lap, and one arm
+      around her little sister”                           Frontispiece
+
+    Randy and Prue started for the brook                            23
+
+    Prue counts the daisies on Miss Dayton’s hat                    46
+
+    Randy carrying Prue in her arms                                 58
+
+    On the way to the picnic                                        98
+
+    “Nearer to the wall she crept”                                 115
+
+    “There stood Randy as the demure little maid”                  139
+
+    Prue and Tabby reading the Fairy Book                          170
+
+    “‘Why don’t you send the little girl a letter?’”               191
+
+    “At the head of a long table stood Helen Dayton”               225
+
+
+
+
+RANDY’S SUMMER
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I—RANDY AND THE FAIRY TALES
+
+
+“Randy! Randy! where are you?” came in shrill, high-pitched tones from
+the kitchen.
+
+The girl on the wooden seat just outside the door neither moved nor
+heeded, so engrossed in her book was she.
+
+“Ran-dee!” This time there was a rising inflection on the last syllable.
+Slowly the girl’s forefinger followed along the line which she was
+reading. A quick step across the kitchen, and a tall, angular woman
+appeared in the doorway, wiping her hands on her blue-checked apron.
+
+“Why, Randy Weston! Here I’ve been callin’ and callin’ to you, and
+you’re right here at the door and never heard at all, I’ll warrant you.
+What’s that you’re readin’?”
+
+“Oh, mother, I’m sorry I didn’t hear you,” said Randy, her face still
+aglow with the thought of the fascinating tale; “but the story was so
+wonderful that I never knew you called me.”
+
+“Must have been wonderful,” said Mrs. Weston, smiling. “What sort of a
+book is it, and where did you get it?”
+
+“Why, it’s the one I told you I found in the field back of the barn,”
+said Randy. “It’s all about kings and queens, and princes and fairies,
+and goblins, and oh, it’s just the most wonderful book you ever saw!”
+
+“I hope it’s a _good_ book,” said Mrs. Weston, doubtfully; “it sounds
+kind of outlandish, and I know one thing, I never have to call twice
+when I give you ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ or Fox’s ‘Book of Martyrs’ to
+read.”
+
+“But, mother, just see the pictures! Here’s the one that shows when the
+prince rode on the horse which was shod with golden shoes, and could run
+faster than the wind!”
+
+That was too much for practical Mrs. Weston.
+
+“Look here, Randy, that’ll do! That shows what kind of a book it is. Who
+ever heard of shoeing a horse with gold! Land knows it costs enough to
+shoe them with iron; and as for running faster than the wind, why,
+anybody’d know better. You give me the book till I ask your father what
+he thinks of it. I’ll put it up on the mantel, back of the clock, and
+show it to him to-night and see what he says.”
+
+As Mrs. Weston usually meant what she said, Randy was forced to submit;
+but she could not help thinking it a trial to have to do without the
+wonderful book until her father should have time to read it.
+
+“Now,” said Mrs. Weston, “come in and help me make these pies.”
+
+“Oh, yes,” said the girl; while she thought, “What a change from the
+prince’s castle to the hot kitchen and apple pies!” However, she was a
+thoughtful girl, and seeing a tired look on her mother’s face, she took
+a big yellow dish on her lap, and grasping a knife began to pare apples
+as if her life depended upon it.
+
+The first she pared rapidly and deftly, the next one took her a little
+longer, and the sixth she held in one hand while the knife lay idly in
+the other, as she gazed out of the window, wondering if the hot, sunny
+road which led to the village could be at all like the high-road over
+which the king’s huntsmen returned to the castle.
+
+“Randy Weston! I thought you was parin’ apples! Bring the dish here and
+we’ll finish them together. At that rate you wouldn’t get them done in a
+month!”
+
+Randy started. “Oh, dear! I meant to have peeled them in no time,” said
+she.
+
+“Well, never mind,” said her mother; “we’ll do them together, and then
+you can get out the things for me to make the crust with.”
+
+Soon the apples were pared, cored, and sliced, and away Randy hurried to
+the closet, getting the sifter, sugar-bucket and rolling pin, the spice
+box, and last of all, a lot of plates.
+
+Running back to the closet she brought out the lard and began to grease
+the plates in furious haste, so determined was she to show her mother
+that she was really willing to be helpful. How she admired the deft
+manner in which her mother rolled out the crust, stretched it over the
+plate, and inserted her knuckles to make it fit the hollow of the dish.
+
+Randy watched her as, balancing the crust-covered plate on her left
+hand, she swept the knife which she held in her right swiftly around the
+edge of the plate, trimming off the extra crust.
+
+“I wish I could make pies as quick as you can,” said the girl, “and have
+them turn out right every time, too.”
+
+Mrs. Weston smiled at the compliment so earnestly expressed.
+
+“Mebbe you can, when you’ve made as many as I have,” said she.
+
+“Now get the broom, Randy, and sweep up the flour I spilled ’round the
+table and put the apple peels in the bucket, while I commence to wash up
+the cookin’ dishes.”
+
+Randy got the broom and began to sweep vigorously. “I wonder,” thought
+the girl, “if princesses have to bake pies, and wash dishes, and sweep
+hot kitchens.” She could not remember of any mention being made of
+either pies or kitchens in the fairy tales which she had been reading,
+so she concluded that in those delightful days no such things existed.
+
+“They _must_ have had pies,” she said to herself, “so p’r’aps they had
+somebody to bake for them, same’s Mrs. Hodgkins has Sophrony Brown to
+help her about the housework.
+
+“Sophrony Brown doesn’t look ’s if she belonged in a castle, even to
+stay in the kitchen, if it had one,” thought Randy. “Her hair’s red, and
+so are her hands, and they’re awful big, too. Everybody in that splendid
+book was handsome, and they all had little white hands and tiny feet,
+too.” Here she stopped and took a long survey of her own feet, encased
+in coarse, cowhide boots, with leather lacings.
+
+“The shoes and slippers in the pictures,” mused Randy, “have beautiful
+bows on the toes, and they have tiny little heels. I wonder how they
+ever managed to walk on them.” So still she stood, looking down at her
+shoes, the broom held listlessly in her hand, that her mother turned to
+see where she had gone.
+
+“Why, Randy Weston, what ails you? You’ve been mooning ’round all this
+morning. You do try to help me real good, and then, first thing I know,
+you’re miles away thinkin’ of something or other. I say, whatever ails
+you?”
+
+“Nothing,” said Randy, “I was only wondering about the fairy tales in
+the book.”
+
+“Well, more’n ever I think it can’t be a good kind o’ book to read, that
+makes a good, sensible girl so took up with it that she can’t think of
+anything else.”
+
+“But if father says it’s all right, I can read it, can’t I?” said Randy.
+
+“I suppose so,” said the tired woman. “Now go and find Prue. Like enough
+she’s into something by this time.”
+
+Little Prue had a positive talent for inventing mischief, and as Randy
+hastened to the door to call her, she remembered that the little sister
+had had at least an hour in which to play without supervision. “I do
+hope,” said Randy, “that she hasn’t torn her dress or lost her sunbonnet
+while I’ve been helping mother with the cooking. I’ll call first, and if
+she don’t answer, then I’ll hunt for her.” So, standing in the doorway,
+she called long and loudly.
+
+Such a pretty picture Randy made, all the sweeter because she never
+dreamed that she possessed the beauty of which she read in the fairy
+book, and for which she so ardently longed.
+
+The kitchen doorway was low, and up on one side grew scarlet runners,
+which over the top clasped tendrils with the morning glories as they
+clambered up the other side of the door-frame and half covered the
+kitchen window.
+
+The cool wind from across the meadow fanned Randy’s flushed cheeks, and
+tossed back some short brown ringlets from her forehead, for Randy’s
+hair would curl, as she said, “spite of anything.” She did her best with
+brush and comb to make it lie smoothly, but the short ends flew back
+every time, and curled and rippled in a manner which would have been the
+envy of many a city girl who was a slave to “curlers.” Her hair was a
+soft, light brown, and her eyes were large and gray, bright and
+twinkling. She was quite tall for a girl of her age, just fifteen that
+summer, and she stood as “straight as a birch,” her father said.
+
+Her plain calico gown and coarse apron could not hide her trim figure;
+and, judging by her small, shapely hands, and slender fingers, one would
+say that with dainty boots instead of cowhides, her feet would be as
+shapely as her hands. But Randy had never thought much about beauty or
+personal adornment until the finding of the wonderful fairy book. She
+had been dressed like the other children in that little country town,
+and had never seen a fashion book or a stylishly dressed person in her
+life. Mrs. Weston had taught her children to think that to be neat and
+clean was to be well dressed, and certainly Randy and Prue were always
+dressed in clean gowns and aprons, and stiff-starched sunbonnets. Yes,
+Randy was more than pretty. Would she one day know it?
+
+Long and patient calling brought no answering shout from little Prue, so
+Randy snatched her sunbonnet from its peg on the wall, and started in
+search of her. She looked in every place, both possible and impossible,
+and she laughed as she thought of the funny scrapes the little sister
+had gotten into. She thought of the day on which their aunt, Miss
+Prudence Weston, had come to visit them, bringing three bags and as many
+bundles, although she was to stay but a week.
+
+She had always lived in a little town in one of the Western states, and
+as that week’s stay was her first visit to her brother’s home, she was
+really a stranger to Randy and Prue. The children had known only that
+little Prue was her namesake, and that she was a person well-nigh
+perfect.
+
+“Your Aunt Prudence never did that,” was a remark so frequently
+addressed to little Prue that that lively, mischievous little being
+conceived a great dislike for so perfect a person; and, although she
+dared not say so to either father or mother, she confessed it freely to
+Randy when at night they lay in their little bed in the chamber under
+the eaves.
+
+“I think it would be just horrid to live in this house if Aunt Prudence
+lived here too, don’t you, Randy?” said little Prue in a loud whisper.
+“You’re good, Randy, and you know I love you, but you can be naughty and
+Aunt Prudence can’t, that’s the difference.”
+
+“Oh, hush!” Randy had said. “I most think it’s naughty not to like her.
+We don’t know but may be she’s real nice if we knew her.”
+
+“Don’t want to,” whispered Prue, “don’t want to, _ever_. If she staid
+here I’d—I mean I’d—” but the tired little sister had gone fast asleep
+and left Randy to wonder just what she would have done.
+
+Immediately upon her arrival Miss Prudence had removed her wraps, and
+had at once taken out her knitting from a voluminous pocket, saying to
+the two staring children, as she peered at them over her glasses, “It’s
+not right to waste time,” and as soon as they had made their escape to
+the kitchen, naughty little Prue had said, “Randy Weston! If keeping
+busy would make me look like that, I’d just do nothing forever and
+ever.”
+
+Funny little Prue! Aunt Prudence’s sharp eyes behind her spectacles, her
+“false front,” and tall, angular figure, had strengthened the child’s
+preconceived dislike. Then that day before their aunt had bidden adieu
+to the Weston farm, Randy had caught Prue perched upon a chair, which
+made her just high enough to see herself in the glass. On her head was
+Miss Prudence’s best cap, on her saucy little nose the big,
+old-fashioned spectacles, over which she peered at herself, saying, in
+imitation of her aunt, “I never waste time, no, not a single minute.”
+
+Randy had escaped to the barn where, on the hay, she had laughed until
+she was tired; all the time feeling guilty, for she knew that, funny as
+the sight had been, Prue had been very naughty. Prue was a little
+captive in the house that afternoon, a great trial for her, and at night
+her father had talked with her and told her that she must always be kind
+to every one, especially to old people, and Prue had promised, at the
+same time saying that, “if Aunt Prudence was always good, it was easier
+for grown-up people to be good.”
+
+Around the house and barn, down by the well, and, lastly, into the barn
+went Randy, calling, “Prue! Prue! where are you?”
+
+“Here!” called a little voice.
+
+“Where?” shouted Randy.
+
+“Up here!” came the answer, which appeared to come from the loft.
+
+Up the ladder went Randy, and, once at the top, she espied a funny
+little figure sitting on the hay. “Why, Prue,” said Randy, “what are you
+doing up here? Why didn’t you come when I called?”
+
+“I couldn’t,” said Prue; “I’m helping mother, and I’ve got to stay.
+Mother said you could help her make pies, so I came up here and I’m
+sitting on some eggs. The old hen’s left them, and mother said they’d
+just got to be set on.”
+
+“Oh, Prue!” said Randy, “you’d ought to know better. If you’ve smashed
+them, won’t you be a sight?”
+
+“I ain’t smashed them,” said the child; but upon Randy’s insisting, she
+rose from the nest, only to show that not an egg remained whole, as her
+pink calico dress plainly showed.
+
+“Well, _I_ never got into such scrapes,” said Randy, for once out of
+patience.
+
+“Now, Randy,” said Prue, “don’t you talk that way; that’s just like Aunt
+Prudence;” and that silenced Randy completely.
+
+Randy’s first thought was a longing to shield Prue, but she knew that
+her mother wished them always to come to her at once when any mischief
+had been done, so, a forlorn little procession of two, they walked
+toward the house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II—AT THE BROOK
+
+
+The next morning dawned bright and fair. Randy awoke and rubbed her
+eyes. “I believe there was something that made me uncomfortable
+yesterday. Wonder what it was?” thought she. “Don’t see what it could
+have been,” mused the girl, half awake. “I helped mother with the baking
+and swept the kitchen for her, because I knew I ought to, instead of
+reading that fairy book. Then I hunted for Prue.—Oh, that’s it! mother
+had to scold her, and that always makes me feel just awful.
+
+“She was naughty, and seems ’s if she might know better than to get into
+such queer scrapes, though she isn’t much more than a baby.”
+
+Here Randy turned over and looked at her little sister, who was still
+fast asleep. “How pretty she looks!” said Randy, half aloud. The
+sleeping child stirred, and thrust one chubby arm and hand under her
+short curls. She drew a long breath, which was half a sigh, her eyelids
+quivered, opened, closed, then opened wide, and she stared at Randy,
+who, leaning upon her elbow, was gazing at little Prue.
+
+“Oh, Randy! what are you looking at and thinking of?” said Prue, half
+laughing.
+
+“I was just thinking,” said Randy, “that when you’re asleep you don’t
+look as if you could ever be naughty.”
+
+Prue stopped laughing, and, putting her arm around her sister’s neck,
+she said, “Oh, Randy! I never mean to, and ’most always when I’m naughty
+it’s when I’m trying to help. Don’t you know that time when I dropped
+the platter and broke it all to smash? Mother put down the towel she was
+wiping it with to look in the oven to see if the bread was burning. I
+thought I’d s’prise you and mother, and show you I’d wiped the big
+platter nice and dry. Just a minute before, mother said it was too big
+for me to handle, and that just made me want to.”
+
+“I know it,” said Randy, “I know you mean to be good, and I do believe
+you can’t help doing funny things, you best little sister in all the
+world,” and she kissed Prue, laughing at her at the same time. “Now, do
+be good to-day, and, if you don’t do a naughty thing before dinner, I’ll
+do something splendid. I’ll have to help mother this morning, and do a
+lot of things. Then, of course, I’ll wipe the dinner dishes, and after
+that you and I will go down to that shady place by the brook, and I’ll
+tell you some of the stories I read in that book I found.”
+
+“Oh, will you?” said Prue, “can you ’member them?”
+
+“Yes, some of them; I can’t remember all of them yet,” said Randy.
+
+“Why don’t you take the book and read them?” said Prue.
+
+“Because,” said Randy, “father’s got to look it over and see if it’s a
+good book first, mother says.”
+
+“Why isn’t he ’fraid to read it, if p’r’aps, it isn’t good?” said the
+child, with such a funny expression on her face that Randy, who really
+did not know how to answer such a question, laughed, and said she
+thought it must be time to dress.
+
+Up sprang little Prue, and out upon the floor. “You dress me first,”
+said she. So Randy put on the little one’s shoes and stockings, then,
+piece by piece, her other little garments, all the time silently
+admiring the round, dimpled arms, the roguish eyes, and tangle of short
+curls, and the sweet little mouth, honestly believing that no girl in
+all the world had so dear a little sister. Just as Randy turned to
+button the little dress, Prue uttered a joyous cry, and darted over to
+the window.
+
+“Oh, come quick, quick!” she called. “See the butterfly almost coming in
+our window.” And sure enough, when Randy reached the window, there he
+was, a gorgeous fellow, with bright, golden wings, swinging up and down
+over a fresh rose-colored morning-glory.
+
+“Oh!” cried Prue, “isn’t it the handsomest butterfly you ever saw?”
+
+“Yes, and look at the dewdrops on the pink morning-glory,” said
+imaginative Randy; “I wonder if the necklace that the fairy queen wore
+looked as bright as that? In the picture in the book it looks just like
+strings and strings of beads.”
+
+“I liked the beads and her dress, with a long train to it; but in the
+picture she didn’t have a nice face ’t all,” said Prue, the young
+critic.
+
+“Oh, but she was bea-utiful,” said Randy. “She must have been, the story
+said so,” but just here Randy’s raptures over the heroine of the fairy
+tale were cut short by a loud call of “Randy! Randy! Prue! it’s time to
+come downstairs!”
+
+So Randy hurried on her own clothing, and Prue amused herself while
+waiting by counting the buttons on Randy’s best gingham dress as it hung
+on the first hook in the closet, and this is the way she half said and
+half sung it:—
+
+“Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief, doctor, lawyer,—Randy, what’s a
+lawyer? Your last button is a lawyer.”
+
+“I don’t know,” said Randy; “ask father;” but when they had reached the
+lowest stair and entered the kitchen Prue had forgotten her question and
+asked another.
+
+“Father,” she cried, “have you read the book yet? Are you going to let
+Randy read it? the fairy book, I mean?”
+
+“Two questions in one,” said Mr. Weston, laughing. “Why, yes, I guess
+I’ll have to let her read it, if she wants to,” said he.
+
+“Going to let Randy read those outlandish tales?” said Mrs. Weston
+coming out of the closet with a pie in her hand, which she placed upon
+the table. “Why there wasn’t a word of truth in them.”
+
+“I know it,” said her husband, smiling, “but I didn’t see anything wrong
+about them, and the yarns that are in the book are so big that no
+sensible girl, like our Randy, would s’pose she was expected to believe
+them a minute. I looked it over last night after I’d thought over that
+piece of medder land of Jason Meade’s that he wants to swap for my
+little pasture, and cal-lated ’bout what the bargain was worth. I just
+took down that fairy book from behind the clock, and I thought I’d just
+look it over to see if it was all right for Randy and Prue, and, if
+you’d believe me, ’fore I knew it, I was ’most as interested as the
+children was. As you say, there ain’t any sense in it, but it reads
+kinder fine, I must say.”
+
+Mrs. Weston laughed, and said that she was willing enough to let them
+have it if the book was all right.
+
+“Right enough,” rejoined her husband, “only kind of foolish,” and
+smiling at the children’s eager faces he said kindly, “Read it if you
+like, only don’t let it make you forget to help mother, Randy.”
+
+[Illustration: Randy and Prue started for the Brook]
+
+“Randy don’t often forget that,” said Mrs. Weston, at which unwonted bit
+of praise, Randy flushed with delight.
+
+Mrs. Weston was a hard-working woman who loved her husband and children
+dearly, but so busy was she, that she forgot to say the encouraging
+word, or give the bit of praise, justly won, which seems a reward to the
+husband for his care and toil, and to the child for “being good.”
+
+When the hot forenoon’s work was done, and the dinner dishes put away,
+Randy and Prue started for the brook, Randy carrying the wonderful book
+very carefully, and little Prue skipping along beside her. Across the
+fields, behind the barn, into a bit of woodland went the children, and
+there they found the brook, calm and placid in one place, rippling and
+chattering in another. “Hark! hear it talk,” said Randy, but practical
+little Prue said, “It only says ‘wobble, wobble, wobble,’ as it goes
+over the stones, and I don’t call that talking.”
+
+“Well, I do,” said Randy, “and I always wonder what it says.”
+
+“How’ll you find out?” said Prue.
+
+“Oh, Prue!” said Randy, “what makes you ask questions that nobody could
+answer?”
+
+“But somebody could,” said the child; “if it really says anything,
+somebody, somewhere, would know what it means, now wouldn’t they,
+Randy?”
+
+“I do believe there is some one who could understand it.” Randy spoke so
+earnestly that Prue stopped throwing pebbles at the water-spiders and
+throwing her arms around Randy, she said, “Oh, Randy! don’t look that
+way. When your eyes get big, and you just think and think, it makes me
+lonesome. Do begin to read the fairy stories.”
+
+So Randy roused herself from her dream about the brook, and sat down,
+with Prue close beside her, on a rough plank which spanned the tiny
+stream. There, with the book upon her lap, and one arm around her little
+sister, she read the tales of wonder and enchantment, while the
+sunlight, sifting through the leaves, touched her hair and made a halo
+around the sweet face. Parts of the stories were too much for little
+Prue to understand, but such of them as her small brain could take in
+delighted her.
+
+Randy read very well, although she had had but little schooling, and her
+delight in the splendor which the stories described gave added
+expression to her reading, and delighted little Prue exclaimed, “Oh,
+Randy, you make it seem as if it was true!”
+
+Randy laughed, well pleased with the compliment, and continued reading:
+“‘And as soon as she heard the witch’s voice, she unbound her tresses.’”
+
+“What’s ‘tresses’?” interrupted Prue.
+
+“Why, hair,” explained Randy.
+
+“Then, why didn’t they say ‘hair’?” said the child.
+
+“Tresses sounds nicer,” answered Randy.
+
+“I don’t know,” said Prue, doubtfully.
+
+“Well, I do,” said Randy. “If my hair was long, I’d enough rather have
+it called tresses.”
+
+“I’ll call it tresses,” said obliging little Prue, “even if it isn’t
+very long. Now, go on, Randy.”
+
+So Randy continued: “‘She unbound her tresses, and they fell down twenty
+ells, and the witch mounted up by them.’”
+
+“Oh, my, my!” interrupted Prue, “your hair’s longer’n that!”
+
+“Longer than what?” said the astonished Randy.
+
+“Twenty ells,” said Prue. “When you showed me the other day how to print
+a L, it wasn’t very big. Would twenty of ’em be so very much? Your hair
+is most down to your waist, when I stretch the ends out so they don’t
+curl.”
+
+“O you funny child!” said Randy, half laughing, half impatient. “It
+doesn’t mean that kind of ell. What’s the use of reading the stories?
+You ask so many questions, I don’t believe you half hear them.”
+
+“Oh, I do truly want to hear the stories, and if you’ll only read, I
+won’t ask a question, ’less it’s something I can’t make out.”
+
+Again Randy found the place, and for some time the story went on without
+interruption. Once they paused to see the picture of the lovely girl in
+the tower, then Randy went on:—
+
+“‘The king’s son wished to ascend to her, and looked for a door in the
+tower, but he could not find one. So he rode home, but the song which
+she had sung had touched his heart so much that he went every day to the
+forest and listened to it. As he thus stood one day behind a tree, he
+saw the witch come up and heard her call out:—
+
+  “‘Rapunzel, Rapunzel,
+  Let down your hair.’
+
+“‘Then Rapunzel let down her tresses, and the witch mounted up.’”
+
+“Oh, Randy!” cried Prue, excitedly, “why, didn’t it ’most pull her head
+off?”
+
+Randy laughed. “O Prue, Prue!” she said, “I do believe you think of the
+funniest questions to ask.”
+
+“But, Randy, do you b’lieve it didn’t pull like everything?” And Prue’s
+eyes were round with wonder.
+
+“Oh!” said Randy, “don’t you know that father said we wouldn’t be
+expected to believe the stories, only just enjoy them?” But the little
+girl looked bewildered; so, closing the book, Randy sought other means
+to amuse her. “Let’s play this is a beautiful bridge, this plank we’re
+sitting on, and this brook, a great big river,” said Randy, “and we’re
+princesses waiting for a prince to come and save us—I mean rescue us,”
+she corrected.
+
+Again little Prue showed her lack of imagination. “Save us from what?”
+said she.
+
+“Oh, dragons that live in this big, roaring river.”
+
+“It don’t roar much,” said Prue, doubtfully; “but,” she added, “we can
+play it does.”
+
+Thus encouraged, Randy went on, giving her fancy full play. “And that
+pretty green branch overhead, with sun on the leaves, that’s an arch of
+flowers such as the princess rode under in another story.”
+
+That was too much for Prue. “But, Randy!” she exclaimed, “there isn’t a
+blossom on it. If we were princesses, Randy, I could love you just the
+same, couldn’t I?” questioned Prue, looking up at her sister with eager
+eyes.
+
+“Of course you could,” said Randy, giving Prue a hug, who thus assured
+began to hum a little tune, swinging her legs to keep time with her
+singing. They made a pretty picture, Randy with her arm still about the
+little sister, Prue nestling as close as possible to Randy, and in the
+brook below a reflection showing the two children. Randy was looking off
+as if for the coming of the prince, while little Prue, becoming drowsy,
+laid her head against her sister.
+
+Suddenly Prue started: “S’pose that’s the prince?” said she, as a low,
+merry whistle sounded through the woods. Randy looked toward the
+opening, then her laugh rang out. “Oh, Prue,” said she, “it’s ’Bijah
+Bowstock, the deacon’s hired man, going after the cows. Just look at
+him!” she added. And Prue looked.
+
+Little enough like the prince in the fairy book looked he! An old straw
+hat upon the back of his head, a blue “jumper,” and a pair of overalls
+tucked into his boots, completed his costume. He did not see Randy and
+Prue as he passed through the woods to a path far beyond the brook,
+whisking off the blossoms with his switch as he went along.
+
+“His clothes wasn’t the kind the prince wore in the picture, was they,
+Randy?” said Prue, when ’Bijah was out of sight. “In the picture in the
+fairy book they wear such long, long stockings way over their knees, and
+hats with feathers in them, and everything,” said Prue, intending thus
+to supply all the details of costume which she might possibly have
+omitted.
+
+Randy made no answer. Little Prue felt as many a grown person does, that
+the clothes made the man; but Randy, thoughtful Randy, felt that, given
+all the fine raiment, ’Bijah never could have even _looked_ the prince.
+
+Little Prue edged her way along the plank on which they sat, and at last
+succeeded in slipping off from the end of the board down to the edge of
+the brook. There she found bits of bark which she freighted with moss,
+and then floated them down the tiny stream.
+
+The little crafts, aided by a gentle push, floated out into a placid
+little pool just under Randy’s feet. For an instant they paused,
+wavered, then turning about they flew over the miniature rapids, made
+there by three small stones below the surface, then sailed around a bend
+in the brook and disappeared behind a clump of brakes growing at the
+foot of an alder.
+
+Sometimes the tiny boats foundered, and the passengers were tipped out
+into the stream, but little Prue found other bits of bark for the boats
+and gaily loaded them with moss for more passengers.
+
+“Look, Randy! Look!” screamed Prue, “there’s a fine new boat just under
+your feet. The gray moss is mens, and the moss with the red tops is
+womens. The red is their bonnets. Randy, Randy! why don’t you hear me
+when I’m close to you?”
+
+Randy shook herself and sat upright, laughing. “I did hear you,” she
+said, “only I didn’t think to answer. I guess I was dreaming.”
+
+“Well, don’t dream in the daytime!” said Prue; “I’ve sent lots and lots
+of pretty boats down the stream, and I kept telling you to look, and now
+I don’t believe you’ve seen one of them.”
+
+“Oh, yes, I have,” said Randy, “only I was so busy thinking that I
+didn’t say anything about them. Come, we’ll sail a few boats together,
+and then I guess we’d better go home.”
+
+Prue was delighted, and to reward Randy for agreeing to play with her,
+she hunted with all her might for finer pieces of bark and choicer bits
+of moss, and gay indeed was the little fleet with its red-capped crew
+and passengers. Prue wandered off to find even finer mosses, and Randy
+was trying to capture a big water-spider for a passenger for a piece of
+birch bark, when Prue came rushing down the path, crying, “Look, Randy!
+Look! Here’s old Mr. Plimpkins to sail in one of our boats.”
+
+In her surprise Randy let the water-spider escape, and, turning about,
+saw Prue quite alone, running toward her, laughing and holding out
+something which she had in her hand.
+
+“Prue Weston! what do you mean?” said Randy.
+
+Old Mr. Plimpkins was a farmer who lived at the outskirts of the town,
+but Prue had seen him at church, and she thought him the funniest man
+she had ever seen.
+
+He was nearly as broad as he was tall. Winter and summer, he habitually
+wore very broad-brimmed hats, and he walked with a comical waddle,
+because his legs were completely bowed. As if to attract attention to
+these members, they were always encased in light, snuff-colored
+trousers, while about his neck, hot weather or cold, was always wrapped
+an immense red plaid cotton handkerchief.
+
+As Prue came along, she handed out to Randy the object which she called
+Mr. Plimpkins, and, sure enough, clutched tightly in the little hot
+hand, was a bit of twig on which two stems bowed together until they
+nearly touched. On it, for a broad-brimmed hat, she had stuck a round
+green leaf.
+
+“Oh, I think it must be naughty to laugh about him, even if he is
+funny,” said Randy.
+
+“But doesn’t it look like him?” persisted Prue, “besides, _you’re_
+laughing, Randy, only not out loud.”
+
+Indeed, Randy was laughing, so, without attempting to reprove the little
+sister, she placed the bit of birch, which represented the old farmer,
+on the bark, and watched Prue as she floated it down the stream. Then,
+turning toward home, they walked along the path which led to the
+entrance to the wood.
+
+Prue sang all the way, and, seeing her happiness, Randy, sweet Randy,
+felt rewarded for the afternoon given up to her little sister’s
+amusement; but she felt that the reading of the fairy tales was not a
+success. Clearly, the stories were beyond little Prue; for, at the
+supper table, when there was a pause in the conversation, she described
+the afternoon and Randy’s reading, much to Randy’s surprise and her
+father’s amusement.
+
+“Oh, father!” she exclaimed, “we’ve been down to the brook, sailing
+boats, an’ Randy read me the beautifulest story! The girl’s name
+was—I’ve forgotten what, but her hair comed down to the ground, and the
+prince clumb up on it, and ’most pulled her head off, and the tower was
+so small the old witch couldn’t live in it, and she cut her hair off,
+and that’s all I can think of, ’cept the girl sang all the time, and the
+prince could hear her, and we sat on the plank and waited for the prince
+to come.”
+
+All this she said in one breath. Her father laughed heartily at her
+manner of telling the story, but Mrs. Weston said, “What on airth does
+the child mean?” while Randy decided to read the stories to herself,
+thereafter, and amuse Prue in another way.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III—RANDY AT CHURCH
+
+
+“Come, Randy, come! It wants a quarter to ten, an’ you’d better hurry.”
+
+“Yes, mother, I’m coming,” said Randy, pleasantly, and with redoubled
+energy she reached for the middle button of her dress waist, which was
+fastened at the back. This button was just too high for her left hand to
+reach up to, and almost too low for her right hand to reach down to, but
+at last she succeeded in crowding the refractory little button into its
+buttonhole, and, flushed with the struggle, she stood before the tiny
+looking-glass brushing a stray curling lock from her temple. The glass
+was a poor one, and Randy’s reflection appeared to be making a most
+unpleasant grimace at the real girl standing there. When she lifted her
+chin, a flaw in the glass made one eye appear much larger than the
+other, and when she bent her head, you would never have believed that
+the little nose in the glass was a reproduction of Randy’s, so singular
+was its contour. Truly, with such mirrors as the farm-house afforded,
+Randy stood little chance of becoming vain.
+
+“Come, Randy!” Randy started, took one more look at the stiff gingham
+dress, then hastened down the stairs. At the door stood Mrs. Weston,
+impatiently waiting for her, while little Prue patted the old cat and
+told her that she “mustn’t be lonesome while they were all at church.”
+
+Into the wagon they climbed, and away they started to the church. Their
+progress was slow, for the old horse was far from a “racer” at any time,
+and on Sunday Mr. Weston felt it to be wrong to more than walk the
+horse; yet, even with such slow locomotion, they did at last reach the
+church, and the old horse was duly ensconced in the carriage-shed to
+dream away the forenoon.
+
+The Westons had arrived a bit early, and Randy amused herself surveying
+the few parishioners who had already come. In that country town the
+neighbors were few and far between. The Westons’ nearest neighbor was
+about a mile and a half distant, and so on Sundays it was quite a treat
+to see so many people.
+
+There were the Babson girls just a few pews in front of Randy. Randy
+thought Belinda Babson very pretty, mainly because of her fine yellow
+braids of straight hair. These braids lay down Belinda’s broad back,
+falling quite below her waist.
+
+Her sister Jemima’s braids were even thicker and longer; but then, Randy
+reflected, Jemima’s braids were red.
+
+There was Jotham Potts, whose black eyes always espied Randy at church
+or school, but whose regard she did not at all value. True, on one hot
+Sunday when Randy had found it well-nigh impossible to keep awake,
+Jotham had reached over the top of the pew and dropped some big
+peppermints in her lap. His intention was good, and Randy blushed and
+was delighted, although her pleasure was partly spoiled by a snicker
+from Phœbe Small, who longed to win Jotham’s admiration, but thus far
+had failed to gain it. Randy had inspected every boy and girl in the
+church and was just watching a big blue fly that was circling around a
+web in the angle of the window, when a slight stir among the occupants
+of the other pews caused Randy to look around and become delighted with
+a sweet vision. With Farmer Gray and his wife came a number of ladies
+and gentlemen; summer boarders who were to be at the Gray homestead a
+number of weeks; but to Randy’s eyes, the young lady who took a seat
+next to Mrs. Gray seemed a dream of beauty. She wore a simple white
+muslin and a very large hat trimmed with daisies, but to the little
+country maid the city girl’s costume was nothing short of magnificent.
+
+It had always been Randy’s delight when the choir arose to sing, to
+watch Miss Dobbs, the little woman who sang soprano, as she drew herself
+up to her full height in a vain attempt to catch a glimpse of the page
+of the hymn book, the other half of which was held by Silas Barnes, the
+phenomenally tall tenor. Equally amusing was the tall, thin woman who
+sang “second,” standing beside her cousin, John Hobson, who sang bass
+with all his might. He was short, fat, and very dark, and his musical
+efforts, which were mighty, caused a scowl upon his usually jovial
+countenance, and a deal of perspiration as well.
+
+But to-day when the choir arose, Randy had no eyes for any one but the
+Grays’ lovely boarder, and she almost held her breath as she wondered if
+the girl would sing.
+
+The tall tenor touched his tuning fork, the choir sounded the chord,
+then choir and congregation joined in singing the old missionary hymn,
+“From Greenland’s Icy Mountains,” and round and full rang out the sweet
+contralto voice of the tall, fair girl in white.
+
+Randy was spellbound. She had never admired that hymn, but to-day it
+sounded sweeter than anything she had ever heard. Little Prue looked at
+the singer with round eyes, and as they sat down she clutched Randy’s
+skirts and in a loud whisper said, “Oh, Randy, do you s’pose she is the
+fairy princess?”
+
+“Oh, hush!” said Randy, alarmed lest the young girl should hear the
+child.
+
+Did she hear her? She sat in the pew just in front of the Westons’, and
+when Prue whispered her eager question, a faint suggestion of a smile
+hovered about the lovely mouth, and a bright twinkle glimmered for an
+instant in her beautiful eyes.
+
+Just then Parson Spooner arose, gave out the text, and commenced one of
+his long sermons. He was a good man, with a kindly word and smile for
+every one, and all of his people were devoutly fond of him. The people
+liked him, and he always had a pleasant chat with every child whom he
+met, and most of them thought that he was “lots” nicer on week-days than
+on Sundays. On week-days he talked with the boy whom he chanced to meet
+with his fishing-rod over his shoulder, and laughingly wished him good
+luck. Or, if it happened that the small owner of a home-made kite could
+not make it fly, the genial parson had been known to tie a new bob
+(usually a few weeds tied together) to the tail of the refractory kite,
+and off it would sail to the delight of the small boy and his clerical
+friend.
+
+But on Sundays, his sermons, delivered in a drowsy sing-song, tried the
+patience of his small parishioners. Prue and Randy settled down as if
+for a long day of it, and Randy resolved that, however long the sermon
+might be, she would not get sleepy; whereupon, she stretched her eyes to
+their fullest extent, and stared at nothing so persistently, that Prue
+became uneasy, and whispered, “What’s the matter, Randy? you look so
+queer!”
+
+“Nothing,” said Randy. “I just mean to keep my eyes open, that’s all.”
+
+“They _are_ open, just monstrous!” said Prue, at which Randy could not
+help laughing. As the little girl was not aware that she had said
+anything that was at all funny, she thought Randy’s amusement quite out
+of place, and sat quietly for a few moments, in injured silence.
+
+Randy tried very hard to attend to the sermon, but in spite of good
+intentions, her mind wandered from Parson Spooner’s flushed face, as he
+proceeded to make his meaning clear by loud vocal efforts, and to
+enforce his meaning by many thumps of his fat fist upon the pulpit
+cushion.
+
+Mrs. Brimblecom sat over by the window, slowly waving a palm-leaf fan to
+and fro, and occasionally nudging her husband, to keep him awake. In
+front of her, sat Joel Simpkins, his sandy hair brushed so carefully
+that not one hair was awry, and just across the aisle, Janie Clifton
+sat, in all the glory of a new pink calico. Janie’s black curls were
+very pretty, and she knew it; and her bright, black eyes had been
+pointedly praised in an alleged poem, which had appeared in the county
+paper a few weeks before. It was entitled the “Black-eyed Coquette,” and
+Janie felt sure that Joel had written it, in which case, its boldly
+expressed flattery could have been meant for none other than herself.
+Accordingly, she shook her curls, and occasionally looked at Joel, in a
+manner which Randy considered shockingly bold, and she wondered if, at
+eighteen, she could act like that. She decided that she could never be
+so bold, not even if the object of her admiration looked like a prince.
+
+She thought, too, that Joel was very ordinary; then she looked again at
+the girl in the daisy-trimmed hat and white muslin gown, and fell to
+wondering how fine and handsome a prince would have to be to gain her
+favor.
+
+“Probably there isn’t any one in these parts that would please her,”
+thought Randy. “’Tisn’t only her clothes,” mused she, “it’s something
+else that makes her different from the folks around here.”
+
+All this time Prue had been unusually still, and Randy looked to see if
+she was asleep. The little girl was very wide awake, and sat staring at
+the large hat in front of her, her lips moving as if she were counting.
+Prue’s manner of counting was something unique, and as Randy bent her
+head to listen, she could hardly help laughing, for this is what she
+heard:—
+
+“One, two, four, five, two, six, ten, nine, two,—oh, Randy, there’s more
+daisies on her hat than I can count. Are they truly daisies? If they
+are, why don’t they wilt?”
+
+“Hush-sh-sh,” said Randy. “Keep still and watch that big bumble bee
+that’s just come in the window.”
+
+[Illustration: Prue counts the Daisies on Miss Dayton’s Hat]
+
+“Hear him bum,” said Prue, thus making Randy laugh again. She felt very
+wicked, laughing in church, and knew that her father would not approve;
+but how could she help laughing, for while she watched the bee, and
+wondered where he would fly next, little Prue watched him, too, all the
+time softly imitating his monotonous tune by saying under her breath,
+“bum, bum, bum.”
+
+The heat increased, and Prue looked out of the window at the green
+branches moving in the breeze, and longed to be out there, too. At last
+the bee tired of the church and flew out of the window, and just as
+Randy was thinking that she could not bear the heat, Parson Spooner’s
+sermon came to an end. He had become entangled in his own eloquence; and
+seeing no way to extricate himself, or make his meaning clear, he
+abruptly closed his sermon and suggested singing the Doxology.
+
+After the service Mrs. Gray stopped to talk with Mrs. Weston, and then,
+to the mingled delight and embarrassment of Randy and Prue, the
+beautiful stranger turned, and, stooping, spoke to the little girl.
+
+“How very good you have been,” said she, “to sit still this long, hot
+morning. Do you know I had some candy in my pocket which I longed to
+share with you, but I didn’t like to turn quite around, as I should have
+had to, to give it to you. Let me give it to you now, and you and your
+sister can enjoy it during the long ride home. See!” And from a pretty
+chatelaine bag which hung from her belt, she took a small box of
+bonbons. “If I give you this, will you give me a kiss?” And she stooped
+and placed the gift in Prue’s eager little hands.
+
+For an instant the child hesitated; then shyly she lifted her face, and
+as the young girl stooped to take the kiss, Prue’s pudgy little arm went
+around her neck.
+
+Then, turning to Randy, she extended her hand in its dainty glove,
+saying, “I have seen you and your sister many times when I have strolled
+past your home, and once, when you were standing near the tall clump of
+sunflowers, watching the bees, I was tempted to stop and chat with you
+awhile.”
+
+“Oh, I wish you had,” said Randy, so eagerly, that the girl laughed
+merrily, saying, “Well, the next time I am out for a walk and am going
+up the long hill, I will make you a little call.”
+
+Just at that moment Mrs. Weston’s friendly chat with her neighbor came
+to an end, and with her usual hasty manner she hurried the two children
+out of the church and into the old wagon. Mr. Weston gathered up the
+reins, and with a loud “g’lang” and a few jerks, the old horse seemed to
+awaken from his forenoon’s nap in the carriage-shed and ambled a few
+steps, then subsided into the habitual jog.
+
+“Look, mother, just see what she gave me,” said Prue, swinging the tiny
+package of bonbons before her mother’s eyes.
+
+“What is it?” said her mother; “who gave it to you?”
+
+“The princess,” said Prue, as plainly as she could, considering the size
+of the bonbon which she was eating. Mrs. Weston looked puzzled, and
+Randy, helping herself to a bit of the candy, explained:—
+
+“It was that beautiful, tall girl with Mrs. Gray. She gave Prue the
+candy for being good and keeping still this morning, and she’s coming to
+see me soon’s ever she takes a walk past our house, and isn’t she the
+handsomest person that ever lived?”
+
+“Wal’, I don’t know as I noticed,” said Mrs. Weston.
+
+“Why, how could you help seeing her?” said Randy, in amazement.
+
+“Wal’, I s’pose I did see her, but I didn’t ’specially notice her, ’cept
+that she was talkin’ to you children, for Mrs. Gray was tellin’ me a new
+way to make cookies with two eggs instead of four, and I made her tell
+me twice so’s I’d remember; two eggs is quite a savin’.” But this new
+bit of economy was lost on Randy.
+
+“Did Mrs. Gray tell you her name?” asked Randy, eagerly.
+
+“Seems to me she said it was Dayton, or something like that, but I was
+so took up with that two-egg rule for cookies that I didn’t notice.” So,
+failing to interest her mother, Randy subsided.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV—PRUE’S MISHAP
+
+
+Down the long, dusty road trudged Randy and Prue one hot morning on
+their way to the village store.
+
+At every step the dust arose like smoke, then settled upon their shoes,
+making a thick coating like that which whitened the blackberry vines
+growing luxuriantly over the wall by the roadside.
+
+Randy was far from pleased to be taking this long walk in the dust and
+heat. She had been sitting upon the rough, wooden seat just outside the
+kitchen door, reading the beloved fairy book, when her mother had
+stepped briskly to the doorway, calling her back from fairyland
+abruptly, saying: “Come, Randy, you must go down to the store after some
+sugar. I’ve got my cookies ’bout half done and my sugar’s given out, so
+you must put on your sunbonnet and take Prue, and go as quick as you
+can. Ye needn’t run, only don’t waste time.”
+
+“Oh, mother,” said Randy, “it’ll take me twice as long if I have to take
+Prue, she’s so little, and she walks so slow.”
+
+“I know it,” said Mrs. Weston, “but I’ve got lots to do while you’re
+gone, and I can’t watch her and work at the same time; so you take her
+’long o’ you, and I’ll know she’s all right.”
+
+Randy took her sunbonnet from its peg on the wall and called little
+Prue, who was playing in the sun. The child’s delight when told that she
+might go to the store with Randy made the elder girl regret that she had
+demurred when told that she must take her little sister with her.
+
+Prue laughed with delight, and, thrusting her little sunburned hand into
+Randy’s, she trudged along, scuffling her feet and laughing to see the
+dust rise in little gray clouds.
+
+At any other time Randy would have checked Prue, but that day her mind
+was too much occupied with the heroine of the fairy tale to notice
+Prue’s movements or comment upon them; but Prue was getting tired of
+walking in silence, while Randy indulged herself in day-dreams.
+
+“Why don’t you talk, Randy? You haven’t talked any since we started,”
+said Prue.
+
+“Oh, it’s too hot to talk,” answered Randy, and she once more relapsed
+into silence.
+
+Prue dropped Randy’s hand, and, leaving the road, she clambered upon the
+wall to hunt among the dusty vines for blackberries. There were more
+leaves than fruit, so the little girl, after finding a few small
+berries, walked along upon the wall until she came to another lot of
+vines, where she again searched for fruit.
+
+While Prue looked for berries Randy was critically inspecting her own
+and her little sister’s costume. How ugly they looked! The girl who, up
+to that time, had never seen any one arrayed in anything more beautiful
+than a print or gingham gown, varied by a long apron of blue-checked
+cotton, or a dark, chocolate-colored calico, now looked with startling
+dislike upon that style of apparel.
+
+“Only think,” mused Randy, “if we wore white dresses and fine shoes, and
+big hats, ’twouldn’t seem near as hot doing errands. Seems as though we
+could sit still in meeting if we had on different clothes and—why, Prue,
+what’s the matter?” cried Randy, in answer to a doleful wail from the
+little sister.
+
+“Oh, my foot, my foot!” screamed Prue; “it hurts drefful, and I can’t
+get it out.”
+
+“Let me see,” said Randy. “Hold still a minute; I can get it out, Prue,”
+which, however, proved to be easier said than done. While walking upon
+the wall the little foot had slipped between the stones and seemed
+firmly fixed.
+
+Randy worked gently and patiently, and at last the little foot was out
+of prison. Prue insisted upon having her shoe and stocking taken off,
+saying that her foot felt “awful big,” and sure enough it had become a
+trifle swollen. Randy tried in every way to soothe her, assuring her
+that it was but a short walk to the store, but Prue wailed dismally.
+
+“Oh, I can’t walk, Randy, my foot aches just drefful, and I can’t have
+any shoes on, ’cause my foot has grown big.”
+
+Randy blamed herself for the mishap. “I ought to have been taking care
+of Prue instead of thinking of fine clothes,” thought Randy. “It ought
+to have been me that got hurt instead of little Prue. ’Twould have
+served me right for being real silly, almost vain, I do believe.” And
+thus she berated herself.
+
+Poor, repentant Randy! Careless she had been, but surely not wicked. She
+was utterly at a loss to know what to do. “Don’t you think you could
+walk slowly, Prue, if I put my hands under your arms to help you?” she
+asked coaxingly.
+
+“Randy, how can I walk when this foot is most twice as big as my other
+foot?” said Prue.
+
+Randy thought a moment. Then she said: “There’s only one thing to do,
+Prue. You can look right down the road and see the store from here. You
+sit still where you are, and I’ll run and get the sugar; it won’t take
+but a few minutes, and when I get back I’ll carry you home in my arms.
+You can hold the sugar and I’ll carry you.”
+
+Prue tried bravely to stop crying, and although she declared that her
+foot felt “worser,” she promised to be patient until Randy should
+return. The store was in the front part of a farm-house but a short
+distance from where the two sat upon the wall, and Randy rushed off down
+the road and in at the open door, in such evident haste that Silas
+Barnes looked at the girl in amazement.
+
+“In a kind of hurry, ain’t ye?” said he, as in his usual deliberate
+manner he weighed the sugar.
+
+“Yes, oh, yes,” answered Randy, as she almost snatched the bundle and
+darted out of the door and ran up the road to where Prue sat upon the
+wall, a most disconsolate little heap, trying very hard to be brave, but
+sobbing in spite of all endeavor.
+
+“Now, you carry the sugar—just think what a sweet bundle—and I’ll take
+you. My arms are real strong, so I believe I can carry you easily.”
+
+Prue hugged the parcel, and taking her little sister in her arms Randy
+stepped out bravely toward home. It seemed to her that she could not
+remember such intense heat as she that day experienced. They had taken
+off their sunbonnets as they sat upon the wall, and in their haste they
+had started for home, leaving them where they had dropped them, so that
+their heads were unprotected from the scorching rays of the sun, which
+was now directly overhead.
+
+[Illustration: Randy carrying Prue in her Arms]
+
+Many times Randy was obliged to set Prue upon the wall, just long enough
+to rest her aching arms; then taking her again, she bravely trudged on
+toward home.
+
+Just as she concluded that her arms would surely break, she heard the
+sound of wheels behind her, and looking over her shoulder she saw
+Obadiah Gray’s old mare, Clover, jogging along and in the wagon the
+beautiful young girl whom she had so much admired at church.
+
+“There’s that pretty girl whom I saw in church last Sunday,” thought
+Helen Dayton. “How much prettier she looks without that ugly sunbonnet.
+Why, she has her little sister in her arms, and the little one is
+crying. I’ll stop and speak to them.” Old Clover, always delighted to
+stop, came to a standstill, and Randy looked up shyly at Helen’s
+beautiful face.
+
+“Are you not tired?” said Miss Dayton. “I see that you are carrying your
+little sister.” Then, as she noticed the swollen foot, she said: “Oh,
+how did she hurt her foot? Do let me take you home.”
+
+Randy was only too glad to accept the invitation so sweetly given; so
+Prue was gently lifted to a place beside Miss Dayton, and then Randy
+clambered in, not only thankful for the ride, but positively charmed to
+be with the lovely driver.
+
+“Now, tell me,” said Helen, “how your little sister injured her foot.”
+So Randy told her the whole story, and blamed herself more than she
+deserved. “If I hadn’t been wishing that I had a big, beautiful hat
+like”—but here Randy stopped abruptly, as she noticed, for the first
+time, that Miss Dayton was wearing the very hat and dress which so
+filled her mind that morning.
+
+“What was the hat like? Anything like the one I am wearing this
+morning?” asked Helen, sweetly.
+
+“Well, yes, just like it,” admitted Randy, blushing.
+
+“Did you so much admire my hat?” said Helen. “Well, who knows but that
+on some fine day you may have one quite like it.”
+
+When, at last, they had reached Randy’s home, both Prue and Randy had
+become quite well acquainted with their new friend.
+
+Mr. Weston had just come in from the field, in answer to a blast from
+the dinner horn, and was as anxious as his wife when told that the
+children had been gone two hours and a half. “I guess I’ll have to
+harness up and go down to the store and see if they’re—sakes alive! Here
+they be now, with that ’stonishing pretty boarder of Obadiah Gray’s,”
+and Mr. Weston hastened down the walk to thank the young lady for her
+kindness.
+
+“I’m much ’bleeged to ye for bringing the children home; mother and I
+was getting anxious. Randy, here, is going on fifteen, and pretty tall
+of her age, but we still call them the children, and Randy, she’s
+reliable; so, when she don’t appear at the right time, we know that
+something’s up. Why, Prue, where’s your shoe and stocking?”
+
+“Oh, father,” said Randy, “you won’t say I was reliable this time.”
+
+“Now, Mr. Weston,” said Helen Dayton, “Randy blames herself for Prue’s
+injured foot, but she has bravely carried her little sister up the long
+hill from the store, and I think accuses herself too harshly.”
+
+“Like enough,” said Randy’s father. “Randy’s conscience is all out of
+proportion to her size.” Then, once more thanking Helen heartily for her
+kindness, he took little Prue into his arms saying, kindly: “There,
+there, little daughter, I wouldn’t cry any more. You’re home now, and
+mother’ll know just how to fix your foot all right; and, Randy, ye may
+have let yer thoughts wander, so to speak, but you didn’t make Prue hurt
+her foot, and ye’ve more than made up fer it all by bein’ so truly
+sorry, and tryin’ to bring her home. She’s a little girl, but she’s
+solid for a girl of your size to carry. ‘Stead of blamin’ and accusin’
+yourself, you just help mother to make Prue comfortable, and then you
+amuse her with the fairy book, and, may be, she’ll forget how bad her
+foot aches.”
+
+“I’ll do it,” said Randy, delighted to think that she could in any way
+be useful to her little sister, and so well did she amuse her that in
+the middle of the sixth fairy tale Prue was sound asleep.
+
+As soon as Mrs. Weston had seen the little foot, she had given it a bath
+in hot water, bound securely about it a hot bandage, and told little
+Prue that she must be quite still.
+
+“I will, if Randy will read to me,” said Prue. So Randy read story after
+story, until the little sister was asleep.
+
+Randy sat beside her, intending to read to her again if she awoke, but
+Prue had cried with the aching foot until she was very tired, so she
+slept soundly. Once she stirred, and thrust her chubby hand under her
+head, murmuring as she did so. Randy bent over her, to hear what she
+said.
+
+“The big stones squeezed my foot, so course it wasn’t my Randy did it,”
+murmured Prue. “My Randy wouldn’t do such a thing to me. My Randy’s just
+about right always and she—” but here her voice faltered and that which
+commenced in a sentence ended in a sigh. A bright tear glistened in
+Randy’s gray eyes. How lovingly little Prue held her above the
+possibility of anything wrong.
+
+“I must try hard to be as good as Prue thinks I am,” thought Randy, and,
+bending, she kissed the little one ever so gently so as not to awaken
+her; “for,” thought Randy, “while she sleeps she doesn’t know her foot
+aches, and when she wakes I’ll read or do anything she wishes me to, to
+amuse her.”
+
+And Randy kept her promise. The injury, although not serious, was quite
+painful, and Prue declared that Randy was “’most an angel,” so patient
+and entertaining was she, reading the same story over and over again if
+it chanced to please her.
+
+In a few days Prue was able to be about, and Randy was every bit as
+happy as her little sister, to see that the swelling had disappeared and
+the wee foot back to its usual size. There was one story with which Prue
+seemed the most pleased and which she wished oftenest to hear.
+
+That was the story of the “Sleeping Beauty,” but it mattered not how
+many times she heard it, she never could tell it straight.
+
+One day Prue’s mother said that the little girl would be wise if she
+rested her foot all the afternoon. “I’ll sit still on the ‘lunge,’” said
+Prue, “if you’ll listen to a bea-utiful story called the ‘Sleeping
+Beauty.’ I guess I can tell it ’most right; do you want to hear it,
+mother?”
+
+Now this was a trial to Mrs. Weston’s patience. She had glanced hastily
+at a few pages of the fairy book and had declared it to be “clear
+foolishness,” adding, “if it amuses Randy and Prue, I do’no as I care;
+but it puzzles me how they can enjoy it.”
+
+But, thinking to please her little daughter and make her willing to sit
+still, she promised to listen attentively to Prue’s narrative, adding
+under her breath, “I guess I can stand it for once, if it is foolish.”
+So she handed the book to Prue, who declared that, although she couldn’t
+read, she could tell the story better by looking at the pictures.
+
+Mrs. Weston brought her sewing to the window nearest the lounge where
+Prue sat as if enthroned, and the youthful entertainer commenced at once
+to tell the story as she remembered it. As Randy afterward said with
+stifled laughter, “If that is the best Prue could tell the story with
+the pictures to help her, how much more could she have twisted it
+without the book?”
+
+“Once upon a time (they all commence that way),” said Prue, “there was a
+little girl so be-autiful that folks ’most went crazy who saw her, an’
+her father was tickled to see how handsome she was when she was a baby;
+an’ one time when she was fifteen (that’s what Randy is)—no, I forgot,
+when the baby, that’s the princess, you know, was a bein’
+chris-chris-chris-tened, there was a lot of fairies that bringed her
+presents, and one was mad because she didn’t be invited, and she did
+something awful, but I’ve forgot what.
+
+“Then the beautiful princess went to sleep a hun-dred years” (here
+Prue’s eyes grew round with excitement), “and she grew older and older
+every minute—no, no, she didn’t. I mean she didn’t grow older a’ tall.”
+
+Here Randy turned hastily to gaze out of the window, and Prue,
+fortunately, failed to notice her sister’s very evident effort to
+conceal her amusement.
+
+“Then everybody in the house—no, palace—went sound asleep and snored,
+and they never waked up ’til the prince kissed them—oh, no, he only
+kissed the princess. Mother, why do you s’pose he didn’t kiss anybody
+but the princess? Shouldn’t you a thought he would?”
+
+Without waiting for an answer, however, Prue babbled on.
+
+“They was married and lived happy ever after, and all the folks waked
+up, and the horses, and cows, and cats, and dogs, all wagged their tails
+’cause they was awake too. Isn’t that a wonderful story?”
+
+“I should say it was,” ejaculated practical Mrs. Weston. “Nothing less
+than wonderful.”
+
+Mrs. Weston folded the garment which she had been mending, and saying,
+kindly, “That was a long story for a little girl to try to tell,” she
+went out to the kitchen to make preparation for tea, leaving Prue still
+looking at the pictures in the fairy book. Randy stole out to the
+kitchen.
+
+“Oh, mother,” she said, looking up wistfully, “I know you think it funny
+that I can like fairy stories almost as well as Prue does; but, truly,
+Prue does not tell them straight. They’re not true, of course, but they
+do sound pretty when you read them straight through instead of ‘mixed
+up’ as she gets them.”
+
+“I know, of course,” said her mother, “that Prue has a funny way of
+telling anything. If you enjoy the stories, I’m sure I don’t care, only
+don’t ask me to read them. I want to read something that’s somewhat
+probable,” and Randy was obliged to be satisfied with that.
+
+Mrs. Weston’s mind was utterly void of imagination, and to read to her
+of magic locks, of sleep which, lasting a hundred years, left the
+sleeper youthful and beautiful, of wild wishes granted, of people turned
+to stone, and back to life again, simply tried her patience and amused
+her not at all.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V—HELEN DAYTON’S CALL
+
+
+The sun shone in at the kitchen window and made a golden panel on the
+floor.
+
+“Looks like another hot day,” said Mrs. Weston, and she paused a moment
+and looked out at the meadow, where the little brook sparkled in the
+sun.
+
+“Mother, are we very poor?” said Randy, irrelevantly.
+
+Mrs. Weston wheeled around abruptly in her surprise, and promptly
+dropped the dishcloth which she held in her hand. “There,” said she,
+“look at that dishcloth; somebody’s comin’ sure as preachin’. I never
+knew it to fail.”
+
+“Oh, I do hope somebody will, if it’s Miss Dayton, if that’s her name,”
+added Randy. “But you didn’t answer what I asked you,” said the girl.
+“_Are_ we, mother?”
+
+“Why, Randy, what’s in your mind? Lately you’ve been dreamin’ most of
+the time, and askin’ queer questions between times. Are we what? Poor?
+Why no, I do’no’s we be. Your father ain’t a rich man, but he’s
+well-to-do. What put it in your head to ask me?”
+
+“Nothing,” said Randy, “only I was wondering what the reason was that
+all the folks in church yesterday looked so different from Mrs. Gray’s
+boarders. Was it because they were poorer or was it some other reason?”
+
+“Well,” said Mrs. Weston, as she took the towel from Randy’s listless
+hands, and commenced energetically to finish wiping the dishes, “I guess
+we’re as well fixed as any one around here; your father owes nobody
+nothin’, and our farm’s one of the biggest and best in the town. I’ve
+heard say that some city folks was rich, an’ I heard tell of other city
+folks as wasn’t so well off as their clothes seemed to make them out;
+and as to our lookin’ different, there ain’t any call to dress up any
+more than what we do now. I tell you what, Randy, to be clean and neat
+ought to satisfy any one.”
+
+To this Randy could not agree, so she wisely said nothing. In her inmost
+heart she knew that, were she the possessor of an immense hat loaded
+with flowers, she would not have the courage to walk into church, the
+cynosure of all eyes. On the other hand, a sunbonnet never had looked so
+uncouth and unbecoming as now.
+
+The dishes put away, the chickens fed, and a dozen other little chores
+attended to, Randy was free to do as she liked; so off to the “best”
+room she flew, eager to brighten it in any way which might suggest
+itself. The best room was a front room, and the front door, although
+seldom used, opened from it, showing a little garden in which grew boys’
+love, larkspur, balsams, and, later in the season, marigolds.
+
+But the front room and the front door were never used; and the little
+path from the door-stone to the flower beds was overgrown with weeds,
+years ago. The side door which led to the barn, the well, and the
+woodpile was the proper one to use. So Randy did not open the door; it
+never occurred to her to do so; but she drew up the green paper
+curtains, and let in the sunlight, and, although the room was
+scrupulously clean, she decided that the correct thing to do first was
+to dust.
+
+Between the front windows stood a little table with an oil-cloth cover,
+dotted with red and green figures. Over the table, and quite too high
+for any one to take a peep, hung a small, square looking-glass with a
+broad, wooden frame.
+
+Randy remembered having seen a huge asparagus plume over a mirror in the
+parson’s sitting room on one gala occasion when the sewing-circle had
+met there, and she had been permitted to be present with her mother.
+Asparagus, then, would be quite the thing with which to decorate the
+glass. The parson’s mirror had a gilt frame and a gorgeous landscape
+above the glass, and Randy felt sure that the wooden frame needed the
+decoration even more than the gilt one. The asparagus in place, Randy
+stopped in the middle of the floor, duster in hand, to view the effect.
+Her eyes wandered about the room, and this is what she saw.
+
+On the opposite wall was a picture entitled “The Tree of Life,” on which
+every known virtue hung pendant from the branches on one side, while
+every evil of which man is guilty kept the balance on the other.
+
+This picture always served to depress Randy. The tree was a sombre
+green, and Randy espied Envy printed in large type on that side where
+hung the sins, and she felt sure that a wee bit of envy had crept into
+her heart on Sunday, and as she looked at the pictured tree she said,
+under her breath: “Must have been vanity that made me almost hate my
+sunbonnet. The parson preached a while ago on the sin of vanity.”
+
+Poor Randy! To think it a sin to long with all her girlish heart for
+pretty things! With a sigh she turned from the picture of the tree to
+the one hanging upon the side wall. This was more cheerful—an ancient
+fashion plate in which insipid-looking gentlemen, in white trousers and
+long, blue coats, were smiling at some waxen-faced ladies whose
+beruffled skirts were voluminously extended.
+
+She rather admired this picture, mainly because the people in it, at
+least, looked cheerful. Leaving the pictures, Randy let her eyes slowly
+wander over the furnishings. As none of her neighbors or acquaintances
+had carpets, the yellow painted floor seemed quite fine. The chairs were
+also yellow, and as a crowning luxury, a green enamelled cloth lounge
+stood in all its slippery grandeur against the wall, beside the door.
+
+Randy liked the lounge, but wished it possible to sit upon it without
+slipping. While she was wishing that she had some pretty thing in the
+shape of an ornament for the table, her eyes wandered to the window,
+where, looking out into the garden, she could see the tall spikes of
+pink and blue larkspur waving in the breeze. A bright idea! Why not have
+some flowers upon the table?
+
+Away she ran to the kitchen closet, and there she inspected everything
+on the shelves, so anxious was she to find something fine for her
+flowers.
+
+“Oh, that’s the thing,” said Randy, “if mother’ll let me have it.”
+Appealed to, Mrs. Weston looked doubtful. “’Tain’t a vase,” said she,
+“it’s my old white and blue spoon holder, an’ I do’no how it will look
+in the best room.”
+
+“But you’d be willing I should use it, wouldn’t you?” Randy asked
+eagerly.
+
+“Oh, I don’t mind your usin’ it; go put your posies in it an’ see how it
+looks.”
+
+Surprised and delighted that her mother should express the least
+interest, Randy skipped out into the garden and came running back in a
+few moments with a dozen long stalks of larkspur in her hands. She
+filled the old spoon holder with water and crowded in the flowers, then
+away she ran to the best room.
+
+“Oh, mother,” she called, a minute later, “do come and see the room.”
+Mrs. Weston stopped in the doorway.
+
+“Wal’, I do declare,” she ejaculated, “I must say that does look pretty.
+Why, Randy, you do have a real knack to fix it up so. Them flowers
+brighten up the place wonderful, and that sparrowgrass just beats
+anything.”
+
+“Oh, I’m so glad you like it, mother! Would you put some on the mantel
+if you were me?”
+
+“I’d put some anywhere,” said her mother, wiping her eyes with the
+corner of her apron. “I declare I’d actually forgotten how much the
+blossoms cheer up the house. I used to bring them in when I was first
+married, but ever sence I’ve been too busy to think of anything but
+cookin’, sweepin’, sewin’, and mendin’ from Monday ’til Saturday; but,
+Randy, if you’re a mind to, you may bring in a few blossoms once in a
+while. It seems like the time when I used to fix up the house, and
+myself too, for that matter.”
+
+Mrs. Weston was a reserved woman, and Randy was amazed that her mother
+should show so much feeling, and delighted that her efforts at
+decoration were approved.
+
+“I wish I had something to hang down from the mantel in some way. I
+don’t know how to say it, but I know just how it ought to look.” A
+moment Randy stood thinking with a queer little scowl over her eyes.
+Then her face brightened, and out of the room she darted, then across
+the yard to the old well around whose sides the wild morning glory
+clambered. Lifting her skirt, she filled it with the long vines and
+hurried back to the house.
+
+She filled a small stone jar with water, carried it to the front room
+and stood it in the centre of the mantel, and then proceeded to fill it
+with long sprays of the morning glory. When all the vines were thus
+disposed of, she inspected her work.
+
+“There, you couldn’t have done better,” said her mother, and Randy felt
+rewarded for her efforts. Then they turned to go back to the kitchen,
+and there, in the doorway, stood Helen Dayton. Randy started.
+
+“Forgive me for startling you, and also for coming in without knocking.
+I was out for a walk, and coming up the hill I thought of your
+invitation. I walked toward the house and was about to knock when this
+little puss offered to lead me through the house to you.”
+
+“I’m sure you’re welcome any time, Miss Dayton, and this girl of mine,”
+laying her hand on Randy’s arm, “has been so eager to see you again I
+do’no what would have become of her if you had waited long to come.”
+
+Randy blushed, and Helen Dayton laughed and said that she was very glad
+to be so welcome. Then she chatted pleasantly with Mrs. Weston “just as
+if she had always known her,” as Randy afterward said.
+
+While she was talking, a little book which lay upon Miss Dayton’s lap
+fell to the floor and flew open, showing a page of bright little
+sketches, and Randy and Prue stared at it in wonder. “My sketch book,”
+said Miss Dayton. “I am not an artist, but I have a bit of talent and
+have studied a little, and when I go out for a walk I jot down a part of
+a birch tree, a few wild flowers, or some tall weeds beside an old wall.
+Take the book and look at it if you like,” she added, as she caught the
+eager look upon Randy’s face.
+
+Gladly Randy picked up the little book. The drawings were not wonderful,
+only rather clever, but to the country girl, who had never seen a
+sketch, they were truly charming. Randy looked at each little picture at
+least a dozen times, always telling Prue in a whisper that she must not
+put her little fingers on them.
+
+“However did you do them?” asked Randy. “I didn’t know that anybody ever
+did such beautiful things.”
+
+“Thank you for liking them,” said Helen; “but you must not call them
+beautiful.”
+
+“But,” said Randy, “that old mullein stalk looks just like a mullein,
+and those birches look just ’s if you could strip the bark off.”
+
+Helen laughed at Randy’s enthusiasm. “Sometime, when I come,” said she,
+“I will make a sketch of your old well.”
+
+“Our well!” said Randy, “would that look pretty in a picture?” Helen was
+amused. “You shall see,” said she; “and now tell me who arranged the
+flowers and vines so prettily?”
+
+“I did,” said Randy; “I did it to please you,” and Randy, the sketch
+book still in her hand, looked up into the lovely face.
+
+Helen Dayton laid a gentle hand on Randy’s shoulder, saying sweetly,
+“Thank you so much, but tell me why you so wished to please me?”
+
+“Because you are the very loveliest girl I ever saw in this world,” and
+then Randy blushed and looked down to cover her confusion.
+
+“And because you are the princess,” chimed in Prue, who had been still
+an unusually long time.
+
+“The princess!” echoed Helen. “Whatever do you mean, dear? I am not a
+princess,” and Randy hastened to explain. She told all about the fairy
+book, and how on Sunday in church little Prue had felt sure that Miss
+Dayton was the princess of the fairy tales.
+
+“Well, of all things!” said Helen; “now I must assure you, little one,
+that I am not a princess, only Helen Dayton of Boston.”
+
+“But you look like one,” persisted the child, looking at her with round,
+admiring eyes. Mrs. Weston had slipped from the room, while the children
+entertained their visitor, and as she bustled about the kitchen, doing
+many things, she murmured softly to herself, “Randy’s right, the girl
+_is_ lovely.”
+
+A pretty picture they made—the young girl and the two children—as they
+sat in the best room, chatting now like old acquaintances. Helen had
+taken little Prue upon her lap, where she sat looking admiringly up into
+that young lady’s face, while Randy sat beside her on the floor, telling
+her all her small confidences.
+
+“Randy’s such a homely name,” she was saying. “’Tain’t so bad as
+Jerushy, but it’s homely enough.”
+
+“But that isn’t the whole name, is it? Isn’t it ‘Miranda’?” asked Helen.
+
+“Why, yes,” said Randy, “and it sounds almost fine when you say it; but,
+generally, it’s just Randy. And there’s Prue. Her name is Prudence,
+after Aunt Prudence.”
+
+“Who’s just horrid,” said Prue, so vehemently that Helen and Randy
+laughed. After a pause Randy asked, abruptly, “If you belong in Boston,
+how could you come here to board; Boston’s a city, my geography says so,
+and this is just country.”
+
+“That is just why I came here,” said Helen. “The spring found me very
+tired, after a long, gay winter, and I came here to be quiet, and get
+rested.”
+
+“How funny!” said Randy. “I was wishing and wishing the other day that
+it wasn’t always so quiet here, and the other night when father was
+talking to Jason Meade about buying the big piece of meadow land, Mr.
+Meade was saying that he was going to Boston for a spell—he’s been there
+once—and he told about the streets full of people, and cars running all
+day, and teams and everything; and I did wish things would fly around
+here awhile.”
+
+Randy paused for breath, and looking at the pretty, eager face, Helen
+stooped, and touching the curly head ever so lightly with her lips she
+said, “Dear Randy, I’ll try to stir things up a bit, and we will see if
+we cannot have some pleasant times while I am here.”
+
+“Oh, will you?” said Randy, eagerly.
+
+“I never went anywhere ’cept to a sewing-circle once.”
+
+“What will you do?” asked Prue.
+
+“Oh, you shall see,” said Helen, laughingly. “We are planning a picnic
+now,” said she, “and if we really have it, I’ll invite you, and you
+shall go with me.”
+
+“With you!” said Randy. “I’d love to, but I shouldn’t look fit,” and she
+looked admiringly at Helen Dayton’s dainty outing suit, and glanced up
+at the trim sailor hat perched upon her pretty head.
+
+“Oh, you will look every bit fine enough with a shade hat—we shall all
+wear broad-brimmed hats—and a clean gingham dress,” said Helen,
+cheerily.
+
+“But I’ve got nothing but sunbonnets,” said Randy, “’less father will
+buy me one next time he takes eggs and vegetables to the village. I mean
+to ask him to if that would be soon enough,” and she looked up eagerly
+at Helen.
+
+“Oh, yes, indeed,” said Helen, “we’ve planned to have it in about two
+weeks.”
+
+“I want to go, too,” said little Prue.
+
+“Of course, dear, so you shall,” said Helen, “and now I must be going,
+but I’ll tell you all about the picnic the next time we meet. Do you
+know where Mrs. Gray lives, Randy?”
+
+Randy laughed. “Of course I do,” said she.
+
+“Well, when father brings home your new shade hat, and of course he
+will, if you wish it so much, suppose you take a walk over to Mrs.
+Gray’s and make a little call upon me, and when you come bring the new
+hat with you; I shouldn’t wonder if I had something with which to trim
+it.”
+
+“Oh, I will, I will!” said Randy, eagerly, “and then you’ll tell me all
+about the picnic.”
+
+With sheer excitement little Prue was executing a funny little jig,
+which reminded Helen to inquire for the injured foot.
+
+“It’s all well. See!” and Prue hopped upon that one foot to assure her
+that it was quite itself again.
+
+“I should call that foot very well indeed,” said Helen. Then together
+they walked out to the kitchen where, bidding good morning to Mrs.
+Weston, Helen said that she had enjoyed her call, admired Randy’s
+tasteful decoration, and asked if she might borrow Randy once in a
+while.
+
+“Why, yes, you may have Randy whenever I can spare her,” said Mrs.
+Weston, “’though she seems so took up with you, and so delighted, that
+when she comes home from a call on you I’m afraid she’ll about tread on
+air.”
+
+Helen laughed, and taking Randy’s hand they walked together as far as
+the road where Randy, perched upon the wall, watched her new friend out
+of sight.
+
+Helen turned many times to wave her hand until a bend in the road hid
+her from view. Then Randy walked slowly to the house, followed by Prue,
+and as they walked they talked of nothing but Helen’s beauty and
+sweetness and the wonderful picnic.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI—THE PICNIC
+
+
+Mr. Weston had gone to market two days after Helen Dayton’s call upon
+Randy. He had laughed heartily at the description of the exact kind of
+shade hat which Randy wished for, and as he drove off he continued to
+laugh as Mrs. Weston called after him, “Remember, she wants a white hat;
+don’t, for mercy’s sake, come home with a brown one.”
+
+“And, father,” shrieked Randy, “remember to get a big one and one that
+isn’t too coarse.”
+
+“Yes, yes, land sakes! I b’lieve I’ll bring ye home a dozen to pick
+from,” and the good man chuckled to himself—he had his own plan for
+doing Randy’s errand. His eggs and vegetables disposed of, he turned to
+start for home, when he ejaculated, “Bless me! if I didn’t most forgit
+Randy’s hat.” Back into the store he went. “What have ye got for hats?”
+said Mr. Weston. “My Randy’s set her mind on havin’ a fine shade hat for
+the picnic, and nothin’ but a white one will do.”
+
+Silas Barnes reached under his counter and brought forth a dozen straw
+hats, which lie spread out for Mr. Weston to select from.
+
+“Wal’, that beats all! Randy and her mother told me just how it ought to
+look, but I don’t see any difference in ’em, do you, Barnes?”
+
+“Why, yes,” replied the genial storekeeper, “that one’s twice as fine as
+the other, an’ it’s worth twice as much.”
+
+“Wal’, I guess it’s ’bout good enough for Randy, then, and I’ll take
+it.”
+
+When her father returned that night Randy met him at the door, and with
+a little cry of delight took the parcel which he handed her, and she
+could not find words to express her pleasure when the fresh, white hat
+lay before her on the table.
+
+“Dear me! Ye might have had one before, if it delights ye so,” said her
+mother; “I didn’t think of it before, because most every girl here wears
+a sunbonnet.”
+
+“Well, I’ve got it now,” said Randy, “and to-morrow I’ll go over to Miss
+Dayton’s and she’ll trim it for me; she said she would.” On the
+following day, true to her promise, Helen gave Randy a cordial welcome,
+and trimmed the hat with some gay ribbons which, although not new, were
+very pretty, and to Randy seemed nothing short of gorgeous.
+
+On the day of the picnic no happier heart than Randy Weston’s beat fast
+with anticipation; and with Prue’s hand held tightly in her own she
+started, as they had planned, for Mrs. Gray’s house to join Helen.
+
+“Don’t forget to take care of Prue,” called her mother.
+
+“I won’t forget,” answered Randy.
+
+Mr. Weston stepped back into the house after watching the children until
+a bend in the road concealed them from view, and sat down for a moment
+before going out to the field. “I tell ye what, mother,” said he, “I
+mean those girls shall have a chance. I’d no idee what a difference
+there was between a hat and a sunbunnit. I say, why don’t you have a new
+bunnit yourself, mother? You were every bit as pretty as our Randy when
+you were young, and I b’lieve you’d look a good deal the same now, with
+a little fixin’. Just see the difference in Randy with a bran’ new hat!
+When we was a-payin’ off the mortgage we had to scrimp; but now, I think
+ye might have a few duds, once in a while.”
+
+He stopped, expecting a rebuff, and was surprised when his wife turned
+with a sweet smile and said, “I b’lieve I will have just a few things.”
+
+“Ye can have what ye want,” was the hearty rejoinder, “and we’ll go to
+the village next week and do some shoppin’,” and with a jolly whistle he
+started for the barn.
+
+When they arrived at Mrs. Gray’s, the children were surprised to find
+almost every man, woman, and child who had been invited to the picnic
+already there, and, as they were all talking at once, it was impossible
+to understand what any one person was saying.
+
+Very conscious of her new hat was Randy, and she longed to find Helen
+that she might talk with her. She knew that any one with whom she
+stopped to speak would mention her new finery, so she only nodded
+pleasantly to the girls whom she passed, and walked toward the house,
+hoping there to find Helen. Helen saw her and came out to meet her; but
+as Randy passed the Babson girls, she heard Phœbe Small say to them:
+“Look at Randy Weston! Isn’t she getting fine!”
+
+“Dunno how fine she is,” responded Belinda Babson; “but I don’t see as
+she need walk right by us, just because she’s got a new hat.”
+
+Poor Randy! She had not the least idea of being vain or silly. “Why need
+the girls spoil the fun of my having a new hat,” said she, and a hot
+flush crept up on her cheek, but soon Helen’s merry chatter caused Randy
+to forget Phœbe’s unkindness, and she was laughing and talking as gayly
+as Helen herself.
+
+Miss Dobbs, the little soprano of the choir, hearing Randy’s laugh,
+turned and smiled, an unusual thing for her to do, saying: “How are ye,
+Randy? That’s a dreadful pretty hat.”
+
+“I like it,” said Randy, simply, although her eyes showed her delight
+that some one should approve of it. “Miss Dayton trimmed it for me;
+didn’t she do it lovely?” continued Randy, anxious that her new friend
+should have all the glory which belonged to her for her millinery skill.
+
+“Umph!” ejaculated Miss Dobbs, “they do say you’re pretty int’mit with
+Miss Dayton, considering she’s from the city.” Randy moved away, pleased
+with the compliment for her hat, but hurt by the last remark.
+“‘Considering she’s from the city,’” thought Randy. “Anybody’d think I
+asked her to be pleasant to me. Why, I wouldn’t have dared to. She
+wanted to be nice, and I was glad enough to let her,” and she brushed
+away a tear and forced back a sob which rose in her throat.
+
+Just then something happened to cheer Randy and give her a wee bit of
+triumph.
+
+Phœbe Small moved toward Randy and fastening her small eyes
+disapprovingly upon the offending hat, she was about to speak, when,
+without noticing Phœbe at all, Jotham Potts walked awkwardly up to
+Randy, and, standing upon one foot, then shifting to the other, he said:
+“Morning, Randy! Be you going to walk to the picnic or ride? Because,”
+he continued, “I told father I’d like to have you ride with us, seein’s
+we have a spare seat, and he said he’d be pleased to have your company.
+Will ye come, Randy? I do wish ye would.”
+
+“I’d like to, and thank you,” answered Randy, sweetly, with a blush and
+a glance at Phœbe Small, who pretended not to have heard, “but I
+promised to go in Mr. Gray’s team with Miss Dayton, so I’ll have to.”
+
+“I wish ye was goin’ with us, but as ye can’t, I’ll see ye at the
+picnic,” said Jotham, and he turned to get into his father’s wagon;
+then, stepping back to where Randy was standing, he blushed, and from
+his pocket produced a little package.
+
+“Here, Randy,” he said, “I brought this a purpose for you to enjoy
+durin’ the ride, so I guess I’ll give it to ye now.”
+
+“Oh, thank you,” said Randy, “how good you are,” and that so completely
+overcame Jotham that he retired in confusion. By this time the party was
+about ready to start. The choir had decided to go in the first wagon and
+enliven the way by singing, and were still discussing as to a selection
+from their scant repertoire.
+
+“Ye needn’t ask me to join ye,” said Silas Barnes, “and sing
+‘Chany,’”—he meant China—“for I don’t think that’s gay enough for a
+picnic.”
+
+Miss Hobson suggested that they might please Mr. Barnes by singing
+“Yankee Doodle.” This was meant to suggest that Silas Barnes was too
+frivolous, but he did not, apparently, feel injured, as he laughingly
+answered that he would “rather be patriotic than mournful, and he reely
+guessed they’d better settle upon ‘Yankee Doodle,’ as Miss Hobson
+suggested.”
+
+On one end of the door-stone old Mrs. Perkins had just convinced her
+neighbor, Mrs. Johnson, that it was just the right time of the year to
+gather ‘pennyroyal’ and mouse-ear, and so have them a-drying, and Mrs.
+Buffum had gathered the six little Buffums under her wing by uttering
+this awful threat:—
+
+“Johnny! Johnny Buffum! do you and Hitty want to go to the picnic?
+Katie! do you and Jack and Sophy and Ann want to stay at home? Well,
+then, come here, or the first thing you’ll know the wagons’ll go without
+ye!”
+
+From all directions the six young Buffums rushed and crowded closely
+around their mother. Stay at home from their first picnic? Never!
+
+At last every one had arrived, and they lost no time in clambering into
+the waiting wagons; then away they jogged toward the grove.
+
+Farmer Gray had taken his wife and Helen Dayton, Randy and little Prue
+in one wagon, and had told his other boarders that they were welcome to
+fill his two remaining wagons, allotting places as they chose.
+
+The wagon with the choir had started first, and Randy and Helen could
+still faintly hear the stirring strains of “Yankee Doodle.” Randy sat
+with sparkling eyes, enjoying the ride as she had never enjoyed one
+before. Had she not a fine new hat? Was she not beside the beautiful
+Miss Dayton? and had not Jotham, to the envy of the other girls, given
+her a package purchased expressly for her?
+
+“What you got in your bundle what Jotham gave you, Randy?” asked Prue.
+“Will you let me see?”
+
+“Yes, do let us see,” said Helen Dayton; “I know it must be something
+nice.”
+
+So Randy untied the package and found a lot of huge pink and white
+peppermints, which Prue at once commenced to help her eat. Helen
+pronounced them to be very nice, but as she never liked peppermints,
+politely excused herself from eating them by saying that she must save
+her appetite for the spread at the picnic.
+
+Along the dusty road they jogged, Randy never minding the heat, Helen
+feeling it intensely, even with the protection of her dainty ruffled
+parasol. Sometimes they rode under overhanging boughs which made long,
+cool shadows across the road, then over a sunny, dusty stretch with only
+a fringe of daisies by the roadside and a chain of hazy blue hills in
+the distance.
+
+[Illustration: On the Way to the Picnic]
+
+The occupants of one wagon would chat merrily with those in the wagon
+behind them; and so, with sunny and shady roads, with laughter and song,
+they at last reached the grove.
+
+The horses were unharnessed and tethered with a rope long enough to
+permit them to graze. The baskets of lunch were all placed in one large
+wagon which stood in the shade of a huge tree. Then intimate friends and
+neighbors formed little groups and sat under the trees and chatted
+together, delighted to have this little outing. The children played
+hide-and-seek behind the tree trunks, and those farmers who had left
+their work to enjoy the holiday talked over their crops, their cattle,
+and the price of produce when disposed of at the village store.
+
+The Babson girls were each trying in an awkward fashion to win favor in
+the eyes of Reuben Jenks, who Phœbe Small declared “had a hull basketful
+of maple sugar stored away under the seat of his father’s wagon.”
+
+When Reuben had spoken of the picnic his mother, who was, to express it
+mildly, a frugal woman, had said that she, for one, didn’t approve of
+picnics. “Folks eat four times as much at a picnic as they do at home,
+and ain’t no better satisfied,” she declared; but after much urging she
+consented to go, saying: “A lot of maple sugar’ll be all I’ll take.
+Sweets take away folks’ appetites, and folks that eat my maple sugar
+won’t want much else.”
+
+But try as they would, neither Belinda’s nor Jemima’s blandishments
+brought forward any of the desired sugar. Now Reuben liked the girls
+well enough, and his boyish vanity was pleased by their evident liking
+for his society. He was a generous little fellow and would gladly have
+treated his friends, but his mother’s eyes were upon him, and he said
+afterward, he “just didn’t dare.”
+
+Jotham Potts, hearing Helen say that she liked water cresses, gallantly
+offered to go and find some, assuring her that he knew just where they
+grew.
+
+Helen, Randy, and Prue sat under a large tree, and Helen promised, since
+Randy was so charmed with fairy tales, to tell some which she knew they
+had never heard. She told them tales from Grimm’s wonderful book,
+pleasantly answering Prue’s funny questions regarding them. When she
+related the story of the “Gold Children,” little Prue’s eyes dilated
+with wonder.
+
+“It’s just beautiful,” said Randy.
+
+“If they were clear, solid gold how could they move or stir?” asked
+Prue.
+
+Helen laughed, and patted the little girl’s cheek as she said: “Dear
+little girl, you mustn’t ask questions which have no answers. Remember
+the fairy tales are not true, only amusing.”
+
+Having told story after story, Helen became a bit weary, and she
+proposed that the children should gather a few flowers, saying that she
+would twine them into a lovely wreath for Prue’s curly head.
+
+Off went the children to search for the finest blossoms to heap in
+Helen’s lap. Soon little Prue hastened back with three large daisies and
+a buttercup, asking if they were quite enough to make a wreath. “No,
+indeed,” said Helen, “I must have ever so many more.”
+
+Away ran Prue, shouting to the children, “Miss Dayton says it takes a
+nawful lot more.” Soon other children came running to Helen with little
+hands full of buttercups and daisies, until she cried, “Enough, more
+than enough!” and commenced the weaving of the wreath.
+
+The children watched her dainty fingers, as with airy grace they
+fashioned it, and when she twined the ends of the garland together, and
+placed the finished wreath upon Prue’s head, their delight knew no
+bounds.
+
+“Oh, Miss Dayton, you can do anything, can’t you?” said Belinda Babson.
+
+“Oh, no, indeed!” said Helen, “there are many, many things which I
+cannot do.”
+
+Then they spread the table-cloth upon the grass, and “put the picnic on
+it,” as Prue said. Prue’s idea of a picnic was a lunch out of doors, and
+until the luncheon made its appearance, she felt that the picnic had not
+even commenced. Then suddenly clapping her chubby hands, and dancing in
+a manner which threatened to dislodge her flower crown, she said, “May I
+wear this wreath while I eat my lunch?”
+
+“Oh, do,” said Helen, “it is really very becoming.”
+
+Every one seemed anxious that Helen should sit as guest of honor at the
+spread, so, with children on either side, she took her place, and deftly
+put each one present at ease with her bright, pleasant conversation; now
+saying a kind word to old Mrs. Dewing, that she might not feel
+neglected, or laughing lightly at Farmer Morse’s clumsy wit, noticing
+Randy’s gentle manner with her little sister, and at the same time, with
+ready tact, seeming unmindful of the practised hand with which Jack
+Marden handled his pie with his knife.
+
+So with laughter and gay chatter the lunch was eaten and cleared away,
+and some one proposed some games.
+
+“Let’s play ‘On the green carpet,’” said Phœbe Small, and a chorus of
+voices echoed: “Oh, yes! Let’s play that first;” so, joining hands, they
+sang the old tune as they danced about Helen, whom they insisted should
+first stand in the centre.
+
+  “And choose the one
+  That you love best,”
+
+sang the children.
+
+“I choose Randy,” said Helen, much to Randy’s delight.
+
+  “Give her a kiss and send her away,
+  And tell her you’ll call another day,”
+
+sang the gay little troop, and Helen stooped, and taking Randy’s sweet
+face between her hands she kissed her and slipped from the ring. Around
+and about Randy they circled, and then she must choose. She longed to
+choose Helen, and turned toward her, but Helen said, “We must not keep
+choosing each other, Randy, because it is more fun to change about,” so
+Randy turned with a puzzled face, wondering whom to choose. Seeing the
+little sister’s eager face, she decided at once. “I choose you, pussy,”
+said she.
+
+Into the ring sprang Prue. “Oh, Randy,” said the child, “you did love me
+best, didn’t you?”
+
+“Of course,” said Randy; “but now we know, Prue, that you love me best,
+you choose the one you love next best, because that’s the way to play
+it;” so, wondering much whom the child would favor, Randy left her in
+the circle. But it did not take dear little Prue a great while to
+decide.
+
+“Next to Randy, I guess I like you, Jotham, so I choose you,” said the
+child. Every one laughed except Jotham, who, seeing the little girl’s
+lip quiver, said awkwardly, yet very kindly, “You’re a nice little girl,
+Prue, and I’m real proud to have you choose me;” at which Prue’s spirits
+rose, and, turning with one little hand in Jotham’s, she said: “You
+needn’t have laughed if I did choose a big boy. He’s very nice, and
+’most always gives Randy candy, and she gives some to me.”
+
+This so amused every one that they commenced to pet Prue, and, much to
+Jotham’s delight, the game ended, for he felt that he could have chosen
+none but Randy as his favorite among his friends, and he realized that
+this would have been a trying ordeal for his diffidence.
+
+Many games they played that sunny afternoon, and so fast flew the hours
+that every one was surprised when Deacon Turnbull pulled out his great,
+old-fashioned “timepiece” and declared that it “wanted a quarter to six,
+and that they ought to be hitchin’ up and startin’ toward home.”
+
+So the baskets and pails were packed into the wagons, the horses
+harnessed, and the merry, tired party started homeward.
+
+Some of the picnickers were jolly, singing as they went along, others
+were too tired to sing; but all were unanimous in voting the picnic a
+success, many declaring that it was just wonderful how Miss Dayton
+planned it, and that they didn’t know when they’d had such a good time.
+The ride with Helen was delightful to the two children, Randy looking
+admiringly at Helen all the way and talking little. She was really too
+happy for conversation.
+
+Not so with little Prue. She sat between Helen and Randy, and all the
+way home her chatter was interspersed with snatches of the songs which
+had been a part of their games.
+
+  “‘On the green carpet here we stand,
+  Take your true love by the hand,
+  Give her a kiss and send her away,
+  And tell her—’
+
+“That’s just the best picnic I ever saw, wasn’t it, Randy?”
+
+Before Randy could answer, out rang the childish treble again:—
+
+  “‘Sailor in er boat when the tide runs high,
+  Sailor in er boat when the tide runs high,
+  Sailor in er boat when the tide runs high,
+  Waiting for a pretty girl to—’
+
+“Oh, Miss Dayton, don’t you think Jotham’s ’most as nice as a prince? I
+do,” said Prue, without waiting for an answer, although she looked up in
+Miss Dayton’s face expectantly.
+
+Helen took Prue’s little dimpled hand in her own as she said: “All
+princes are not good, although many of them are very, very good indeed.
+Jotham has a good face, and I am sure when I really know him I shall
+like him very much. If he grows to be a good, brave, true man, that is
+worth much more than being a prince.”
+
+“Yes’m,” said Prue, not quite catching Helen’s meaning, yet vaguely
+understanding that Jotham was fully appreciated. Prue’s curly head
+swayed a little, like a tired flower; and Helen, slipping her arm around
+her, drew her toward her, and soon the little girl’s head lay against
+her new friend.
+
+Still she sang, although drowsily:—
+
+  “‘Oh, what a beautiful choice you’ve made,
+  Don’t you wish you’d longer stayed?’”
+
+The last line was drawled out so slowly that Randy said, “Oh, wake up,
+Prue, you’re asleep.”
+
+“I guess I ain’t sleepy, but my eyes feel ’s if—” she was now really
+asleep just as they reached Farmer Gray’s door.
+
+Mr. Weston was waiting in the dooryard with his own team to take the
+children home, and, after an exchange of remarks with Mr. Gray regarding
+the weather and bluff, but hearty thanks to Miss Dayton for the
+children’s day of pleasure, he took little Prue in his arms, and,
+placing her in Randy’s lap, gathered up the reins, and with a resounding
+“g’lang there” the old mare ambled toward home.
+
+Mrs. Weston was at the door when they arrived. “Well, Randy,” said she,
+smiling.
+
+“Oh, mother!” cried Randy, “it was just splendid, and we had such good
+times all day.”
+
+“What! Prue asleep?”
+
+“No,” said little Prue, “I ain’t asleep, but my eyes feel funny, and we
+had gingerbread and peppermints, and cold sausage and lemonade, and ‘On
+the—green—carpet,’ and I chose Jotham, and I had a wreath and some maple
+sugar, and it was all made of daisies and butter—cups—and—and,” but here
+she lost the thread of her story, and was carried upstairs and put in
+her bed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII—RANDY OUTWITS JASON MEADE
+
+
+The day after the picnic was a busy one for Mrs. Weston, and Randy,
+eager to be helpful, was really a fine assistant. She washed all the
+dishes, allowing little Prue to wipe the spoons, knives, and forks
+because they would not break if dropped, then she thoroughly cleansed
+the milk cans and put them just outside the door to dry in the bright
+sunlight.
+
+“Now, mother, what do you suppose I’m going to do next?” said Randy.
+
+“I don’t know,” said her mother, “but ye have worked this morning like
+all possessed.”
+
+“Well,” said Randy, “I’m just going to bring in towels and aprons from
+the line and sprinkle and iron them, so’s you can sit down awhile after
+dinner.”
+
+Mrs. Weston looked at the bright, flushed face a moment, then said: “I
+do declare, Randy, you’re a real help. There ain’t a better daughter in
+this town, if I do say it.”
+
+“Oh, mother,” said Randy, “I’d ’most work my fingers off just to hear
+you say that. I help you because I love you, though somehow I never ’til
+now could say it.”
+
+Mrs. Weston wiped her eyes with a corner of her apron, then, turning to
+Randy, she kissed her, saying: “Why, Randy, it does me good to hear you
+say it, and, child, ye must know I’m all bound up in you and Prue. We
+busy folks sometimes forget to show how much we really feel.”
+
+“I mean,” said Randy, “to make you and father happy, always; sometimes I
+forget to help, but always I mean to.”
+
+“I know ye do,” said her mother.
+
+Randy moved about the kitchen with a subtle sense of exhilaration. Her
+mother had always been kind and good, but to have her speak of her
+affection and say a word of approval for her helpfulness, what more
+could be needed to make a young girl happy? thought Randy.
+
+She sang little snatches of melody while she cleared the dinner table,
+and grasped the first leisure moment to steal out under the apple tree,
+thence toward the brook to the old stone wall. A large stone had toppled
+from the wall, and Randy sat down upon it to rest. She had intended to
+make a little call upon Miss Dayton, to talk over the events of the
+picnic, and to hear what her new friend had to tell her; for Helen had
+hinted that she had another good time planned, and she promised to tell
+Randy all about it when next they met.
+
+Tall alders grew luxuriantly almost the entire length of the wall, which
+served as a fence for one side of the pasture; and Randy, a bit tired
+with the forenoon’s work, easily fell into one of her day-dreams, when
+she was aroused by hearing voices behind the alders. There seemed to be
+two voices, and Randy heard them mention her father’s name. She was an
+honest girl who, under ordinary circumstances, would have scorned to
+listen; but something in the tone of the speaker’s voice seemed
+distinctly unfriendly when he spoke of her father, and Randy seemed,
+against her will, riveted to the spot and obliged to listen. She must
+have taken her place on the big stone when the conversation was well
+under way, but the sound of her own footsteps, while unheard by the
+earnest talkers, had prevented her from hearing their voices. She was
+invisible to them as they were to her, separated as they were by the
+alders.
+
+“Now, I’ve tried and tried ’til I’m tired er tryin’ to sell Mr. Weston
+that piece er medder land er mine, ’n’ it would a been sold long ago if
+I hadn’t been bound to swap land instead er taking cash.”
+
+“Yes, but I don’t see the great pint er not takin’ cash ef he’s fool
+enough to pay it,” said the second voice.
+
+[Illustration: “Nearer to the Wall she crept”]
+
+“I don’t s’pose ye do, ’til I tell ye. Ye haven’t been here fer years,
+’n’ only come yisterday, an’ ef you was anybody under the sun but my own
+brother, I wouldn’t tell ye now.”
+
+How Randy’s heart beat! Surely, it was right to listen now. If any one
+meant to do her father harm, she must know it and warn him. Nearer to
+the wall she crept, with a stealth which she was unaware she possessed,
+and she tried to hush her breathing which came quick and hard.
+
+“Just listen to this, Jim. My wife’s just got back from a visit to her
+folks, I forgit the name of the town, ’though it’s on my tongue’s end
+this minute, and while she was there she heard say that they’re goin’ to
+run a railroad through this part of the town, next summer, jest a sort
+er branch road from the one that goes through the centre, and my wife
+never let on that she was much interested; but she asked ’nough
+questions, kinder keerful like, and she found that ef they _do_ build
+the road, and she says the folks down that way say they do really mean
+to, it’ll be straight across that little bit er rocky field, back er
+Weston’s barn. Now, I argy that Weston’s got money _’nough_, and I mean
+ter keep at him ’til he agrees ter swap that ’ere little pesky, rocky
+field er his’n fer my piece er medder land. The more I urge him the less
+he seems ter want ter swap, an’ I even offered to throw in a good young
+steer to boot, an’ all the satisfaction I could git out er him was,
+‘Wal’, I dunno what makes yer so anxious fer that little piece er land
+er mine.’
+
+“He don’t know nothin’ ’bout the railroad yet, but there’s no knowin’
+how soon he will. My wife’s naggin’ me to make him swap, but I’d like to
+see her try to hurry Weston when he don’t intend to hurry; but I tell ye
+now, ef that ’ere road _does_ run through his field, I mean ter own it
+_fust_, an’ I’m goin’ up ter night ter talk him inter it.”
+
+Randy now realized that the speaker’s voice was no other than Jason
+Meade’s. She was but fifteen, but she knew that if her father yielded to
+his neighbor’s urging, it would in some way mean loss to him. All
+thought of her call upon Helen vanished, and in its place lay a great
+fear that she might be seen before she could get away from her hiding
+place and rush home.
+
+She was a bit cramped with her crouching pose behind the wall. Slowly
+she arose to her feet, glided along upon the grass, lest her footsteps
+should be heard, and, once in the grove, she sprang across the brook,
+dashed through the fields, up the path, and into the kitchen door, where
+she dropped upon a chair and tried to speak.
+
+“Why, Randy Weston! whatever ails ye? Ye look ’s if ye’d seen a ghost.
+Why, father,” as the girl did not speak, “jest come look at Randy. She’s
+been runnin’ ’til she’s clean tuckered out, ’n’ can’t seem to speak.”
+
+Mr. Weston came hastening in from the well with a pail of water, which
+he set down when he saw Randy.
+
+“Why, Randy, child, what—”
+
+“Oh, father,—the little rocky field behind the barn,—don’t sell it,
+don’t swap it; the railroad’s going through it; and oh, father, that’s
+why Jason Meade wants to make you swap it. It’s going to be worth lots
+and lots of money; he can’t _make_ you swap it, can he, father?” and in
+her anxiety she sprang up and put her hands upon her father’s shoulders.
+
+“There, there, Randy, you’ve done your father a good turn this time,
+sure enough, ef it’s true. Sit down and tell me where ye heard all
+this.”
+
+So Randy, having regained her breath, told her anxious listeners the
+tale, beginning with her intended call upon Miss Dayton; how she
+strolled through the grove and across the brook, and sat down to rest
+upon the big stone by the wall, with the great alders behind her; how
+she had, at first sound of the voices, tried not to listen, and, on
+hearing an unfriendly voice mention her father’s name, she had, although
+afraid of detection, crept close to the wall, to hear if the men really
+meant to harm him.
+
+Then she had told all that she had heard, word for word, finishing with,
+“And, father, he _can’t_ make you swap, can he? he seemed so
+determined.”
+
+Then Mr. Weston did a very unusual thing. Putting his arm around Randy,
+he drew her down upon his knee, where she had not sat since she was a
+little girl like Prue, and as he looked at her, with just a suspicion of
+moisture in his kind, blue eyes, he said, “Mother, we’ve got a girl to
+be proud of.”
+
+“And to be thankful for,” said Mrs. Weston.
+
+“Amen!” said Randy’s father, and he added, “Always be as brave and quick
+to do what’s right, Randy, as you have been to-day, even forgetting your
+own pleasure, and I will trust you anywhere.”
+
+Here little Prue, who had been awed into silence by the earnestness of
+the conversation, found her tongue once more, and piped in with, “Why,
+pa, my big sister Randy’s been good again. How can she be always good?”
+
+They all laughed, and Randy, catching little Prue and giving her a tight
+hug, said: “I know who’s got the best little sister in all the world. I
+have, just as sure as your name is Prudence.”
+
+“I like you to love me lots, Randy dear, but don’t you call me anything
+but Prue. ‘Prudence’ makes me think of Aunt Prudence, and she looked all
+so,” and here Prue drew down her wee mouth, and puckered up her fair
+little forehead and brows into such a scowling imitation of Aunt
+Prudence, that even her father, who did not at all approve, could not
+help smiling at the dimpled copy of that lady’s unpleasant face.
+
+Soon Mrs. Weston had tea ready, and the family had but just finished the
+evening meal when a loud tap at the door announced some neighbor’s
+arrival. Mr. Weston looked at his wife, with a twinkle in his eye, as he
+arose to answer the knock.
+
+“Well, well, Jason, come in, come in!” Thus Mr. Weston welcomed his
+crafty neighbor.
+
+“How are ye, Square Weston? I thought I’d jist drop in an’ see if you’d
+made up yer mind about that piece er land er mine.”
+
+“Well, yes, I hev,” said Mr. Weston, looking his neighbor squarely in
+the face; “I told ye, a month ago, I’d give ye two hundred dollars in
+cash fer that big medder of yourn.”
+
+“I know it, I know you did; but the thing is, I’ve took a reel fancy to
+that little rocky pasture er yourn, and I feel ’s if I’d lots rather
+have it, little as it is, than the cash, ’f you’ll believe me.”
+
+Jason Meade sat back in his chair with the bland air of a man who had
+done a good deed in praising his neighbor’s property.
+
+Mrs. Weston came out of the closet where she had been placing the dishes
+and stood by her husband’s chair, anxiously awaiting his answer. She
+knew his generous nature, but she believed that this time he would be
+firm.
+
+Randy, who after tea had taken the fairy book to the table to read, now
+leaned forward with parted lips.
+
+Slowly Mr. Weston turned toward his neighbor, and a faint smile played
+about his lips as he said, “I’ll tell ye, Jason, I jist thought that
+while it ain’t so very val’able now, I’ve ’bout decided to keep it, for
+when the railroad comes clean through it, I’m thinkin’ I’ll be reel
+pleased to think it’s my property.”
+
+Jason Meade’s mouth opened to its widest extent, and to say that he was
+amazed, astonished, or surprised, would be expressing it very mildly
+indeed. He cleared his throat and blinked once or twice, then, as no
+suitable remark seemed to suggest itself he arose, and pushing back his
+chair, he said “he’d reely have to go as he’d got an arrant to do at
+Mrs. Gray’s.” He sheepishly made his way toward the door, and mumbling
+something about the weather, he dejectedly stalked out with the air of a
+disappointed man.
+
+“Why, father,” said Randy, “he didn’t even ask you how you knew about
+the railroad.”
+
+Mr. Weston laughed as he said: “I guess he didn’t care how I knew. That
+I knew at all was what worried him.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII—TABLEAUX
+
+
+One morning Miss Dayton sent a little hastily written note to Mrs.
+Weston, saying that she was planning another entertainment which she
+believed would be as enjoyable as the picnic had been, and asking if
+Randy might come over and help her make some preparations for the event.
+
+Mrs. Weston read the note, then re-read it to Randy.
+
+“Oh, may I go, could you spare me?” said Randy, eagerly.
+
+“Why, yes indeed,” said her mother; “there is less than usual to do
+to-day, and nothing at all after dinner. Fly ’round and get cleared up,
+and you can put on your clean red and white gingham and your new hat and
+go over early.”
+
+“Fly ’round!” Randy did fly, and by two o’clock she was off down the
+road, walking as fast as her feet and her enthusiasm would take her.
+
+What could Miss Dayton be planning, thought Randy, as she hastened
+toward the farm-house where Helen was staying.
+
+Helen saw her coming and opened the door, smiling at Randy’s questioning
+face, which expressed a world of interest in Helen’s scheme, whatever it
+might be.
+
+“Come right in, take off your hat, and sit down and I will tell you all
+about my plan for an evening’s pleasure. You know I promised when I
+first met you that I would try to make this summer just a bit gay during
+my stay here. Now I believe we shall all enjoy an evening of tableaux,”
+but here Helen was obliged to pause and explain just what tableaux were,
+“and,” she continued, “I think that any one of the large girls who
+attended the picnic, and a few of the little ones, will make a very nice
+set of pictures.”
+
+“Oh, I should think it would be lovely, but,” Randy added doubtfully,
+“what could we wear that would be nice enough for pictures or tab—”
+
+“Tableaux,” said Helen.
+
+“Yes, tableaux,” said Randy.
+
+“I will agree to furnish the costumes,” said Miss Dayton; “they will not
+have to be very fine to look extremely pretty in the frame. Mr. Gray has
+made me a fine frame which you and I will cover with evergreen. Then
+Mrs. Gray has two bracket lamps which we will fasten to the back of the
+frame to light up the pictures, and I have a lot of odds and ends of
+pretty things in my trunks which will be sufficiently bright and gay for
+costumes. Now let us go at once to the barn and decorate the frame.”
+
+Mr. Gray’s man, Roger, had just brought in an immense load of evergreen.
+Randy was all eagerness to help, and together they worked all the
+afternoon.
+
+When she left for home the frame was thickly covered. There was
+evergreen and asparagus over the pictures in the “best room” where they
+were to exhibit to the townspeople their tableaux, and Randy had seen
+her costume which Helen had designed.
+
+Miss Dayton was an ardent admirer of Greuze, and she possessed many
+photographic reproductions of his paintings. She also owned a number of
+photographs of Sir Joshua Reynold’s portraits of beautiful women and
+children, and knowing the bareness of the walls in the average New
+England farm-house, she had brought these pictures with her to decorate
+her room during her stay. She intended to copy these beautiful pictures
+in the list of tableaux which she arranged.
+
+Randy was spellbound when she saw the photographs. “Oh, Miss Dayton,”
+cried she, “do you really think any of us will do?”
+
+“Why, yes indeed,” laughed Helen, “I have you all selected now. You are
+to be the girl with the broken pitcher in the painting by Greuze. Would
+you like to see your costume?”
+
+“I guess I should like to,” answered Randy, excitedly clapping her
+hands; so Helen showed her a waist with large, loose sleeves, a kerchief
+or scarf, and a wide ribbon “to tie up her bonny brown hair.”
+
+Randy went home in a fever of excitement. Think of a girl of fifteen who
+had never witnessed an entertainment of any kind, and you will
+understand with what delight she looked forward to an evening of
+tableaux in which she would take part.
+
+Miss Dayton called upon those girls who she thought would like to pose
+for the tableaux, and every one was invited to be present.
+
+The girls, both large and small, were delighted, and their elders were
+quite as pleased with the promise of an evening’s enjoyment, and every
+invitation was enthusiastically accepted. Mrs. Gray’s attic proved a
+perfect treasure room. She generously offered the contents of all the
+old trunks to Helen, saying, “If you see anything which you can make use
+of, I shall be truly glad.” Mrs. Gray had been a city girl, and had
+spent the greater part of her married life there, and she brought to the
+farm-house many trunks containing faded finery, which, while far too
+good to be thrown away, were of but little use in that small country
+town. Helen chose those things which she could best utilize and carried
+them down to the front room, where she deposited them behind an
+improvised screen.
+
+Randy thought the evening would never come; so did little Prue, for she,
+too, was to be one of the “tab things,” as she called them. She could
+not remember the word “tableaux.”
+
+But the evening did arrive, and with it all the girls whom Helen had
+drilled for the proper posing, all of the boys who were curious to see
+the girls “fixed up for pictures,” as Reuben Jenks had expressed it, and
+all of the farmers and their wives, who were nearly as excited as the
+young people.
+
+Mrs. Gray and Helen received the friends and neighbors as they arrived,
+showing them the photographs on the walls and telling them that the
+girls, correctly dressed, would look very much like pictures when seen
+in the frame.
+
+The frame was in place with a dark background behind it, and stretching
+from either side of the frame to the side walls of the room were some
+old brocatelle curtains which Helen had found in Mrs. Gray’s attic.
+These curtained spaces served as dressing rooms.
+
+Besides the tableaux Helen had planned quite a little programme, and
+although much drilling had been necessary, each performer was perfect in
+her part.
+
+Jotham Potts had, after much urging, agreed to read the programme, and
+Helen had promised to contribute a song, and a piano solo which should
+be the opening number.
+
+The hum of conversation rose loud and cheery, and so lively did it
+become that it was impossible to hear a completed sentence.
+
+“They say your Phœbe’s goin’ to be a dreadful pretty picture to-night.”
+
+“What’s she goin’ to—”
+
+“Wal’, I dunno, seems Miss Dayton thinks our Jotham has a good voice, so
+she asked him to read the—I forgit what you call it, but anyhow I
+guess—”
+
+“Yes, Miss Dayton says my hair is auburn and not red, and she says—”
+
+“Why, ef here isn’t Mis’ Weston’s little Prue!”
+
+“Yes’m, I’m going to be one of the tab things, and sing a little tune
+what Miss Dayton learned—no, taught me,” said the little girl, very
+proud to think that she had remembered the correction.
+
+“Well, I think she’s real nice to come up here and plan such good
+times,” but here Helen tapped upon the piano, and the conversation
+ceased so abruptly that one might think that the audience held its
+breath.
+
+The girls rushed behind the curtains on either side of the frame, and
+Jotham Potts, clearing his throat, read the first number for the
+evening.
+
+Helen had drilled him in pronouncing those names which he found
+difficult, and very clearly he read,—
+
+“Our first number will be a piano solo by Miss Dayton, entitled, ‘Marche
+Militaire.’”
+
+Mr. Potts nudged his wife, saying, in a loud whisper, “Our Jotham did
+that just like a city feller, didn’t he?” His wife ejaculated “Sh—,” but
+she smiled and nodded, for she was of the same opinion.
+
+Helen in her white muslin looked very beautiful, as she took her seat at
+the piano. That piano was the only one in town, and the only one that
+many of the audience had ever heard. Helen was a good musician, and the
+piece, grand in itself, rang out brilliantly, to the great delight of
+every one present, and many were the words of praise which reached her
+ears when she arose. One voice, bolder than the others, said, “That’s
+what I call great; just one more piece, Miss Dayton, ef it ain’t asking
+too much.”
+
+This was an honest if unceremonious encore, so Helen seated herself once
+more, and for those simple country people played a brilliant polacca.
+
+“Wal’, ’twas all I could do to keep from dancin’, I dew declare,” said
+old Deacon Turnbull, which made every one laugh, as the deacon was a
+very dignified old man.
+
+Helen rose and saying, “Now, Jotham,” she stepped behind the curtains.
+“Our next number,” announced Jotham, “will be a tableau as nearly as
+possible like the painting entitled ‘The Age of Innocence.’”
+
+“That’s it over there,” said Mrs. Buffum to her husband, pointing at the
+photograph on the wall, and every one looked that way. When the curtain
+was drawn aside, there was chubby little Hitty Buffum, her hands clasped
+upon her breast, a wee bit of a smile on her parted lips—a very good
+counterpart of Sir Joshua Reynolds’s picture.
+
+“Oh! oh my! She looks just like it. Isn’t she cunnin’?” and similar
+remarks greeted the little girl in the first tableau. She had done her
+very best for Miss Dayton. Then the curtain swung across the frame and
+Jotham announced, “The next number will be a song by little Miss
+Weston.”
+
+“I didn’t know as the Weston children could sing, did you?” queried one
+neighbor, but there was no time for an answer, for little Prue had taken
+her place on the improvised platform, and Helen was playing a little
+prelude.
+
+Mrs. Weston laid her hand upon her husband’s arm. Would Prue, her little
+Prue, get through the song without faltering? She need not have feared.
+Out rang the childish treble in the song which Miss Dayton had taught
+her. How fresh and clear the little voice sounded!
+
+  “Sometimes I am a daisy bloom,
+  I make believe ’tis true,
+  I play that all I ever eat
+  Is early morning dew.
+
+  “Sometimes I am a butterfly,—
+  Just see my gauzy wings!
+  Sometimes I play I am a bird,
+  Who only sits and sings.
+
+  “But always I am mama’s girl,
+  And papa’s girlie, too,
+  And next to them I love the best,
+  I love each one of you.”
+
+Putting up her dimpled hands she daintily kissed her finger tips, made a
+very cunning little bow, and tripped back to Miss Dayton, saying, “Did I
+do it nice?”
+
+“Just splendid, little Prue,” said Jotham.
+
+“Couldn’t have been better,” said old Mrs. Green.
+
+Then Prue crept up on her father’s lap to see “all the other tabs,” she
+said.
+
+“The ‘Chapeau Blanc,’ which Miss Dayton says means the White Hat,”
+announced Jotham. This time the curtain swept aside to disclose Phœbe
+Small’s little face beneath a hat with white gauzy ruffles upon the
+brim, and a feather held in place by a knot of blue ribbon. A pearly
+kerchief about the shoulders was most becoming to Phœbe, whose usually
+expressionless face looked almost piquant under the saucy white hat and
+feather.
+
+“Don’t she look like a photograph?” whispered Mrs. Small, “and a good
+deal nicer, if I do say it as shouldn’t,” and Mrs. Small looked around
+with a sniff at those present who possibly thought their daughters
+prettier.
+
+Now, Phœbe’s principal defects were an abundance of freckles, and an
+absence of character in her small face; but the costume was becoming,
+and the freckles not apparent in the light in which she was posed; so
+her heart was delighted with words of commendation, and she hoped that
+Jotham Potts had seen her tableau.
+
+As a matter of fact, Jotham had not seen her; for, having announced that
+number, he had sat down and waited for Miss Dayton to appear. The next
+number on the programme was his, and now Helen stepped from behind the
+curtain to announce it.
+
+“We will now listen to a solo by Jotham Potts.”
+
+“Oh! oo! oo! Does your Jotham sing?” asked Mrs. Brimblecom of Mrs.
+Potts.
+
+“Why, no; leastways I never heard him,” said Jotham’s mother, with a
+twinkle in her eyes, for did she not know of Jotham’s evenings spent in
+practising this very solo with Miss Dayton’s accompaniment?
+
+Randy had said one day to Helen, “You’d ought to hear Jotham Potts
+whistle. He does it just splendid. It sounds just like the brook
+rippling.”
+
+When Helen made her plans for the entertainment, she invited him to give
+a whistling solo.
+
+“Oh, I’d do anything to ’blige you, Miss Dayton, but who’d want to hear
+me whistle?” said Jotham.
+
+Then Helen told the boy how many people gave whistling solos in the
+city, with a piano accompaniment, and Jotham consented to “jest try it”
+with the piano.
+
+After announcing the number, Helen seated herself, and played a pretty
+little prelude, and then Jotham commenced to whistle a simple piece
+which Helen played, called “The Alpine Echo,” in which there was an
+imitation of an Alpine horn, followed by echoing notes an octave higher.
+
+Jotham was, indeed, a charming whistler, and as his courage rose, his
+notes sounded true and flutelike, making the song and echoes, the piano
+ever aiding him, until with a final thrill and flourish he finished his
+solo, and, blushing and bowing, retired.
+
+The little assembly was much excited and there were repeated calls for
+one more whistling solo, and cries of “fine,” and “that beats all,” and
+“whistle just once more, Jotham.” So Helen resumed her seat at the
+piano, and this time Jotham whistled a medley in which were heard “The
+Girl I Left Behind Me,” “Yankee Doodle,” and “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
+
+[Illustration: “There stood Randy as the Demure little Maid”]
+
+“Hooray for Jotham and Miss Dayton, I say!” shouted Reuben Jenks, and
+everybody cheered.
+
+Jotham was very happy over his musical success, and with a beaming face
+he announced, “Our next tableau is a copy of the large photograph on the
+right wall called ‘The Broken Pitcher,’ by Greuze.”
+
+This time the curtain drew aside and there stood Randy, sweet Randy, as
+the demure little maid with the broken pitcher hanging to her wrist, her
+beautiful hair loosely bound, and her large gray eyes looking out at one
+for all the world like the Greuze model.
+
+“Isn’t she lovely, mother?” said Jotham, who had stolen out in front of
+the frame in order to make sure of seeing this tableau.
+
+“Well, I must say, she is,” said Mrs. Potts. “She’s always a pretty
+girl, but I do declare to-night she’s nothin’ short of handsome.”
+
+“So I say,” said Jotham, and even Randy’s parents were surprised at her
+beauty. The tableau was recalled, and this time Randy blushed most
+becomingly because of the encore.
+
+“Oh, do see my Randy!” called little Prue, who had been nodding when the
+tableau was first shown, and awoke with a start to see her dear Randy
+looking out from the frame.
+
+“The next number will be a solo by Katie Buffum.” Immediately wee Katie
+was in position. She was not diffident in the least, and clasping her
+chubby hands she at once piped up with cheery voice:—
+
+  “Once there was a little mouse
+  No bigger than my fumb;
+  He crept into my pocket,
+  Where he hunted for a crumb.
+
+  “I put my finger in there,
+  Just to see what there was in it;
+  But the little mouse was naughty,
+  And he bit me in a minute.”
+
+This solo, so cunningly sung by the pudgy little mite, “brought down the
+house,” and little Katie and her family were delighted with the praise
+which she received. Still the little girl stood upon the platform until
+the audience began to think that she wished to sing another verse.
+
+“Go on, Katie,” called her brother Jack, “what yer waiting for?”
+
+“I forgot somefin and I dunno what. Oh, yes, I do. It’s dis,” and,
+making a comical little bow, this very conscientious little soloist left
+the platform, feeling that now her performance was complete.
+
+Every one laughed and gave Katie more praise, and she curled up in her
+mother’s lap, feeling her wee self to be a very successful singer.
+
+“We will now look at a tableau called ‘Titian’s Daughter,’” announced
+Jotham.
+
+Away flew the curtain and Jemima Babson stood in the fine pose, copying
+to perfection the engraving of that subject. Jemima was resplendent.
+
+“Oh! oh!” ejaculated every one. A glint of bright light shone in her
+eyes. She had liked that picture better than any which Miss Dayton had
+shown the girls when they had called for the first rehearsal, and was
+delighted when Helen chose it for her tableau.
+
+Next came her sister Belinda as the “Magdalene.” Belinda always wore her
+yellow hair in braids, but to-night it shone like rippling gold over her
+shoulders. With her blue eyes uplifted, and the shimmering mass of
+yellow hair, who could believe that the “Magdalene” was Belinda Babson,
+the girl who climbed every apple tree in her father’s orchard, and
+laughed at chance passers-by from the highest branches.
+
+“A solo by Miss Dayton will close the entertainment.”
+
+Helen had sung at church with the congregation, but until to-night no
+one, not even Randy, had heard her sing a solo.
+
+Ah, how sweet and clear sounded her voice as, looking across at old
+Sandy McLeod, she sang “The Bluebells of Scotland.”
+
+The proverbial pin could have been heard had it been dropped. As the
+last notes ceased, old Sandy arose, and, stoutly thumping on the floor
+with his cane, shouted, “Well, noo, that’s bonny, say I, Sandy McLeod.”
+
+“That’s so,” said little Reuben Jenks, under his breath, for he sat
+quite near old Sandy and was a bit afraid of him. The old Scotchman
+owned a large farm on the outskirts of the town and was reported to have
+a deal of money, which most people said he never spent. He lived alone
+and was said to be rather crusty.
+
+One day, when out for a walk, Helen, in passing his door, saw old Sandy
+sitting on his door-stone, trying to thread a needle. Helen paused for a
+moment, saying kindly, “Please let me thread it for you.”
+
+The old man scowled and hesitated, then surrendered the needle. Helen
+threaded it; then, after a few pleasant words, resumed her walk.
+
+The old fellow mumbled something, possibly thanks, and ever after that
+morning pulled off his cap to Helen when he met her.
+
+Mrs. Gray laughed when Helen said she intended to invite him to the
+entertainment, saying that he would never come. He came, however, very
+promptly, and it was for him she sang the old Scotch ballad.
+
+“Now,” said Helen, “let us all sing, ‘Should Auld Acquaintance be
+Forgot,’” and with a will they sang it, old Sandy joining in the chorus.
+
+It was now quite late, but good old Parson Spooner rose and proposed
+three cheers for the young lady who had planned such a beautiful
+entertainment. They were given heartily, and then every one crowded
+around Helen to clasp her hand and thank her again, and of all the merry
+party no one was happier than she.
+
+Turning to Mrs. Gray, after the last guest had departed, Helen said, “I
+have often helped to entertain, with some success, but in the city one
+does not always feel the thanks so enthusiastically expressed to be
+sincere, but who could doubt the genuineness of the kind words spoken
+to-night?”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX—CALLERS
+
+
+“Randy, wake up!”
+
+“Yes, oh yes, in a minute,” Randy answered, drowsily.
+
+“No, now, Randy, wake up now! I want to talk about those tab things what
+we had last night,” and two little soft arms wound their way about
+sleepy Randy’s neck.
+
+Randy rubbed her eyes, laughing as she said, “Do call them tableaux,
+Prue, can’t you remember that? Tableaux, Prue, say so.”
+
+“Tabby-lows!” shouted Prue. “How’s that?”
+
+“Better,” said Randy, still laughing.
+
+“Well, whatever you call ’em, yours was the prettiest, Randy dear, the
+very prettiest, and Jotham said so, too, so of course it’s true,” said
+little Prue, who had been sitting up in bed in order to see her sister’s
+face when she repeated the compliment.
+
+“Now, Prue,” said Randy, “did he say that because you asked him?”
+
+“Why, no,” said the child, whose smiling face now assumed an injured
+expression. “He didn’t say it to me ’tall. He said it to his mother; I
+heard him, and she said she thought so, too, I heard her; she sat just
+behind us. Now, Randy Weston, I thought it was real nice to tell you,
+and that’s what I waked you up for.”
+
+“It’s all very nice,” Randy answered, “that you liked my picture best;
+and do you know, little sister, I would rather have you pleased than
+almost any one, next to father and mother.”
+
+“Why?” questioned the little girl, in genuine surprise.
+
+“Because,” said her sister, “you’re a little girl who means just what
+she says.”
+
+“Yes, I do mean it, Randy dear; you did look just the best of any one,
+but you’d ought to seen Jotham,” she continued, “he meant it, too. He
+meant it just _tremenjous_!”
+
+“Well, Jotham’s kind, too,” said Randy; then, with a happy little sigh,
+she turned a smiling face to little Prue as she said, “’most every one’s
+good, I do believe.”
+
+“Not near as good as you, Randy,” said Prue, thoughtfully; but, she
+added, brightening, “I mean to be good all day, ’cause why do you
+s’pose, Randy? ’Cause I had such a good time last night.”
+
+“That’s a good reason,” said Randy. Soon Randy proposed dressing, and at
+the breakfast table Prue resumed the conversation with which she had
+awakened Randy.
+
+All agreed that it had been just a lovely evening, but the little girl
+was not quite satisfied.
+
+“Well, now, we did have a splendid time,” said she, “but I want you to
+say my Randy was just the best of all.”
+
+“Why, of course, we say so,” said her father, laughing; “but who sang a
+nice little song?”
+
+“Oh, I ’most forgot, I sang a little tune and so did Katie Buffum.”
+
+“So you did, so you did,” said her father, “and your mother and I
+thought you little girls did your parts well.”
+
+“I think they all did wonderful,” said Mrs. Weston. “I was jest proud of
+my girls, and my neighbors’ children, too. I do declare, I believe Miss
+Dayton can do anything. Last evening jest did me good. Well, this won’t
+do for me,” she added, “there’s a sight to do to-day.”
+
+“We’ll help,” said Randy and Prue together.
+
+“I guess I’ll have to have you help me, Randy, if you’re a mind to.”
+
+“Me too, me too,” cried Prue.
+
+So Randy filled a large pan with hot water and Prue armed herself with a
+long towel, and the two commenced work as if their lives depended upon
+it.
+
+Mrs. Weston was an energetic woman and soon her pies were made and
+baked, and standing to cool upon the table. The children had worked
+bravely all the forenoon, Randy doing a great deal to be helpful, and
+Prue assisting in many small things. Randy was just thinking that she
+would surely scorch if she remained in the hot kitchen another minute,
+when such an interesting thing happened.
+
+Up the well-trodden path to the kitchen door came Mrs. Hodgkins, “the
+best woman in town and the newsiest,” as Silas Barnes had described her.
+
+The children were always delighted to see her coming, as a call from
+Mrs. Hodgkins meant numberless scraps of gossip, and in a small country
+town where neighbors are few and far between, anything in the shape of
+news is welcome.
+
+Laboriously the good woman stepped from door-stone to threshold, and
+voluminously filling the wooden rocker which Mrs. Weston offered her,
+she fanned herself with her handkerchief, ejaculating between gasps for
+breath, “Lor’ me! How hot it is! Ef I ever get my breath again, I’ll try
+ter talk a spell.” But it would have been something greater than
+shortness of breath that could have completely silenced Mrs. Hodgkins. A
+few energetic movements of the palm-leaf fan which Randy offered her, a
+few moments of jerky rocking in the old wooden rocker, and she was ready
+to begin.
+
+“Well there, Mis’ Weston, I b’lieve I can talk now,” said she. “Joel was
+goin’ over to the barn raisin’, an’ I told him I didn’t care nothin’
+’bout seein’ it; but ef he’d a mind to drive me as fur as your house,
+I’d call in an’ look at yer a spell, ’n’ I can’t spare the time to talk
+’n’ not do somethin’ at the same time,” and she drew from a capacious
+bag an old woollen stocking, saying, “I thought I’d bring my knittin’
+along and p’haps git this stockin’ footed down while I was talkin’.”
+
+“Why, that’s a woollen stocking,” said little Prue.
+
+“Lor’ yes, child, it’s one of Joel’s winter stockin’s. I was up attic
+yesterday huntin’ over my rag bag, ’n’ I came across a lot of his old
+winter stockin’s that I’d ’bout decided to throw away, ’n’ I says to
+myself, ‘Sophrony Hodgkins, that’s downright wasteful,’ ’n’ I’ve just
+set myself a task to foot ’em down ’fore winter.” Her needles clicked
+furiously, and she knit around several times before she spoke again.
+With her brows contracted she worked until she felt sure that her
+knitting was “straightened out,” then she paused for a chat.
+
+“Did you know,” she commenced, “that Phœbe Small was a beggin’ an’ a
+teasin’ her pa to send her to boardin’ school? Well, she is, ’n’ none of
+the girls could find out what put it in her head ter want ter go ’til
+Jemima Babson teased it out of her. Seems at the picnic Miss Dayton, in
+some story she was tellin’ the children, let out that she went away from
+home ter school, ’n’ Phœbe got the idee that ter go away ter school
+would jest be the makin’ of her. Jemima don’t care what she says, an’
+she up an’ told Phœbe that it ‘would take more ’n boardin’ school to
+make her as sweet as Miss Dayton,’ all of which was true, but not ter
+Phœbe’s likin’.”
+
+“_Is_ she going to boarding school?” asked Randy.
+
+“Land, no! Her ma told her to wait ’til she’d learned all there was ter
+learn at our deestric’ school ’fore she talked ’bout goin’ anywhere
+else; and that ’bout finished it.”
+
+Here Mrs. Hodgkins, who had said all this without stopping, paused to
+take breath. “I shouldn’t like my girls to be away at boardin’ school,”
+said Mrs. Weston, “and I think Mrs. Small would feel ’bout as I do.”
+
+“An’ there’s Mrs. Buffum,” continued Mrs. Hodgkins, “with all her
+children, ’n’ she says they’ve got to be where she can see ter them, an’
+git their larnin’ ter home, and now I’ll tell yer the joke. It seems
+Miss Dayton laughed when she heard about it, for she wasn’t at boardin’
+school at all; she was at school, and was boardin’ at a big hotel with
+her aunt, ’n’ the hotel was near the school. But there, ye know Phœbe
+Small never gits anything more ’n half right.
+
+“But I’ll tell ye somethin’ worth tellin’. Old Sandy McLeod’s comin’ to
+meetin’!”
+
+“You don’t say!” ejaculated Mrs. Weston, lifting her hands, and letting
+them fall upon her lap, thereby showing the surprise which Mrs. Hodgkins
+thought this piece of news deserved.
+
+“Well, you see, it was this way,” continued the bearer of this pleasant
+bit of gossip; “it commenced with Miss Dayton’s doin’ a few little
+things fer him. Nobody b’lieved fer a minute that he’d come to Mrs.
+Gray’s, to the entertainment; but Miss Dayton asked him in her pretty
+way, and he hadn’t the heart ter refuse ter come, ’n’ he had such a nice
+evenin’, and heard her sing that Scotch song, and all, ’n’ he says now
+he’s made a great mistake stayin’ off by himself so long. An’ he’s been
+to Parson Spooner and, ef you’ll believe it, hired a whole pew, sayin’
+he could well afford to; en’ he says that as there’s only one in his
+family, any one that wants ter can sit in his pew, any time.
+
+“He says he always went ter church, though he calls it ‘kirk,’ or
+something like that, when he was a young man and lived in Scotland; an’
+he says, rain or shine, we’ll see him in his place every Sunday, after
+this. When somebody asked him what made him think of goin’ ter church
+again, he drew that great rough hand of his across his eyes, and jist
+said, ‘It’s all the doin’ of that lass,’ meanin’ Miss Dayton. And let me
+tell yer somethin’ queerer than that! Did ye notice old Nathan Lawton
+the other night?
+
+“My! how his eyes twinkled when the children were singin’. Ye know he’s
+dreadful fond of children; but ye know, too, ef ye know anything, that
+he’s tighter ’n the bark of a tree. Well, Miss Dayton heard say what a
+bad room fer heatin’ that schoolroom was, and how the little buildin’
+was kind er fer off fer most of the children.
+
+“Wal’, after we’d seen all the pictures, or what yer call ’ems, and
+she’d sung her song so sweetly, old Nathan spoke ter her, an’ thanked
+her for the pleasant evenin’, sayin’ he’d do most anythin’ ter obleege
+her, in return, as ye might say, fer his enjoyment; and I had ter laugh
+softly ter myself when she put her little white hand on his arm and said
+she thought nothin’ would please her so much as ter think, when she went
+home, that the children here would start ter school in a comfortable,
+warm room, ’specially ef it could be one that was handy for them all;
+and she asked him, as one of the see-lect-men, ter manage it some way.
+
+“He just took one look at the smilin’ face lookin’ up at him, and then
+and there offered the use of that front room of his’n, and promised ter
+keep it roastin’ warm all winter, from his own woodpile. His house is
+just about the handiest ter every one of any house in town, and I do say
+that was a han’some offer.
+
+“Any other folks might have asked him ’til they got tired askin’; but he
+couldn’t refuse her, ’n’ I don’t wonder. She’s just done us a world of
+good this summer, ’n’ in such an easy, pretty way that we’ve just
+enjoyed it.
+
+“And now I’ve come ter what fetched me here ter day. Mrs. Gray said ter
+me that Miss Dayton never went to an apple-bee; and I was thinkin’ she
+got up that picnic, and that splendid evenin’ with the music,”—“and tab
+things,” said Prue,—“an’ I’ve been thinkin’ it’s ’bout time we got up
+somethin’ fer her,” said good Mrs. Hodgkins, and she beamed upon Mrs.
+Weston and Randy as she waited for their approval.
+
+“I think so too,” said Randy and her mother together; “but do you think
+that she would enjoy an apple-bee?”
+
+“Well, we couldn’t get up anything fine,” said Mrs. Hodgkins; “but they
+do say that our apple-bees are ’bout the best that they have anywhere
+’round here.”
+
+Mrs. Weston thought a moment, then said: “Our house is the biggest in
+the neighborhood, an’ Miss Dayton has been so kind to Randy and Prue
+that I’ll say we’ll have the apple-bee here, and I think we’ll try extry
+hard to make it a pleasant one. I’m real glad you thought of it, Mrs.
+Hodgkins. I think we’ll all enjoy it, an’ if Miss Dayton does, that’s
+all we’ll ask for.”
+
+“Well, ef here ain’t Joel,” said Mrs. Hodgkins, “an’ I’ll have ter be
+goin’; but I’ll come over an’ help ye git ready for the apple-bee, so
+good-by ’til I see ye again,” and she hastily took her departure,
+puffing down the walk like a small engine, and clambering into the wagon
+beside her husband. “Good-by, I’ll be over ter help ye,” she cried,
+looking back; then they jogged off down the road.
+
+Randy and her mother turned from the doorway and walked back into the
+kitchen. “Look at that clock, Randy!” exclaimed Mrs. Weston; “I guess
+it’ll be a funny dinner to-day,” and she commenced to make hasty
+preparations for the noon meal.
+
+Mr. Weston laughed good-naturedly when he heard of the forenoon caller,
+and in consequence the “picked-up dinner.” “Lots of folks haven’t as
+good a dinner as this, mother,” said he, “and I must say, I’m glad she
+came in ter talk ter ye and so make ye stop workin’ a spell. Where is
+Prue?”
+
+Sure enough, the little girl who was always eager to tell a part of any
+happening was, for once, not in evidence. So busy had Randy and her
+mother been, preparing the dinner, that Prue had not been missed.
+
+“She went out when Mrs. Hodgkins went, don’t you remember, mother?” said
+Randy. “She ran down the path, waving her hand and saying good-by when
+they drove away.”
+
+“Well, Randy, run out and find her, and tell her ter come in ter dinner.
+Dear me! I hope she hasn’t got inter some scrape. She’s been out of
+sight long enough fer anything.” Out rushed Randy, calling loudly,
+“Prue! Prue! where are you?”
+
+“I’m right here, and I’m very busy,” came an answering shout from behind
+the house.
+
+Around the house ran Randy, and such a funny sight she saw!
+
+“Why, Prue Weston, you naughty girl!” said Randy in dismay.
+
+“I ain’t naughty,” said the child.
+
+“You are, too,” responded Randy, “to plague kitty like that. You just
+take her out of that rain-water tub this minute! If she wasn’t the best
+old cat in the world, she would have scratched you well for ducking her
+like that.”
+
+Prue tried to lift pussy out, and Randy ran to help her.
+
+Poor pussy! If Randy had been a few minutes later, she must surely have
+been drowned, for, just as Randy arrived, Prue was holding Tabby’s head
+under water “to let it soak,” she said.
+
+“What ever made you do such a thing?” questioned Randy, when the cat was
+once more on dry land; “don’t you know that in a few minutes more you
+would have drowned her?”
+
+“Drowned!” said Prue in a horrified whisper, “drowned, did you say,
+Randy?”
+
+“Why, of course,” said Randy, impatiently; “don’t you _know_ she’d drown
+with her head under water?”
+
+“Why, Randy, that’s awful!” said Prue. “I didn’t mean to hurt Tabby. I
+only meant to help her. She comed down from the field what’s been burned
+over, and she was all smutty, and I thought I’d give her a good washing;
+so I put her in the tub, but the smut sticked awful, and I thought I’d
+soak her and p’rhaps she’d wash easier; and, Randy, whatever you say,
+she _isn’t_ drowned one mite. Just see her washing herself dry in the
+sun.”
+
+“Oh, Prue, Prue!” said Randy, “what shall I do with you? You do the
+queerest things! Go tell Tabby you’re sorry this minute. If kitty had
+died, just think how you’d felt.”
+
+“Now, don’t you make me cry, Randy,” said Prue, “’cause you know I love
+Tabby, and I didn’t mean to hurt her.”
+
+The cat was an unusually placid animal, or she never would have
+permitted a little girl to do such a thing. Prue had always used her for
+a doll, dressing her up in all sorts of things, and sometimes dragging
+her about in a wooden box which she called a “carriage.” This alleged
+vehicle was an old soap box, beautifully padded with a woollen shawl. It
+had neither wheels nor springs, and as little Prue dragged it along, it
+thumped over twigs and stones with the most surprising jolts. Pussy,
+however, seemed to have a species of lethargy, for she slept through it
+all; so Prue insisted that she liked the ride. The family declared the
+cat to be absolutely without vim; but that deficiency in her make-up
+made her a delightful plaything for Prue.
+
+After dinner Mrs. Weston talked long and seriously with her little
+daughter, telling her that as pussy was so gentle and willing to be
+played with, she ought to be very kind to her and never do anything that
+Tabby would not like.
+
+“But I wanted Tabby to be clean in time for the folks to see her when we
+have the apple-bee,” said Prue.
+
+“Oh, she’ll be clean as clean can be by that time,” said her mother,
+smiling. “She’ll have a whole week to wash in. I think that when you
+wish to do something to kitty different from what you’ve done before,
+you’d better come and ask me first.”
+
+“I will,” said the little girl, promptly, and Mrs. Weston knew that
+pussy was safe from any new torment, for Prue always kept her word, and
+she loved Tabby dearly.
+
+Early in the afternoon, as Mrs. Weston sat by the window mending,
+another wagon stopped at the door; and this time a tall, angular woman
+came up the path with nervous haste. The door was open, and without
+waiting to knock, the caller walked in and seated herself.
+
+“There, I guess you’re s’prised to see me, Mis’ Weston, but I jest had
+ter come.”
+
+“Well, I am surprised,” responded Mrs. Weston; “but I’m just as pleased
+ter see ye. Take off yer bunnit.”
+
+“I’ll take it off jest ter show it ter ye,” said Mrs. Jenks. “I thought
+I’d had a change of heart years an’ years ago, but I guess I’ve jest got
+it now.”
+
+“Do tell! Why, Mrs. Jenks, how ye talk,” and in blank amazement Mrs.
+Weston stopped mending, the stocking, however, still drawn over her
+hand.
+
+“Well, ye might as well stop mendin’ an’ listen, fer I’ve come ter tell
+ye quite a story. It all began with this bunnit. I stepped over ter Mis’
+Gray’s one mornin’ of an arrant, an’ I chanced to say something about
+not havin’ a decent bunnit fer Sunday, an’ I said I had a bunnit I’d
+bought down ter Barnses and quite a lot of old ribbon that was plenty
+good enough to trim it with; but, says I, I’ve no more idee how to trim
+it than a cat. Miss Dayton was just comin’ in the door with a lot of
+wild flowers and green stuff, and she offered, so sweetly, to call over
+in the afternoon and jest tack the ribbons on fer me that, some way, I
+had ter let her do it.
+
+“Well, she came over and I got out my ribbon—it was that I had on a blue
+dress of mine once—and she sat down to trim it. It took some time, and
+to this day I don’t know how it came about, but the first thing I knew
+she was a-makin’ me see how much better it was to give rather than
+receive. Now I’ve been pretty ‘near’ and savin’, but I never meant ter
+be mean; but she led me to talk of the time when Reuben was little, and
+’fore I knew it I was tellin’ that girl how I used to leave my work jist
+ter look at him in the old wooden cradle. I told her what I’d most
+forgot myself: how I could never let him lay there, but jest had ter
+take him up and hug him jest a minute an’ then go on with my work. I’ve
+never meant ter be hard with the boy, but p’r’aps I forgit sometimes
+that he’s pretty young still.
+
+“Well, Miss Dayton looked up from the bows she was makin’ pretty, and
+says she, ‘Reuben’s a nice little fellow, and I think, if you were to
+try it, you’d find he liked petting still. I’ve talked with him many
+times since I’ve been here, and I find that his one idea seems to be to
+grow up as fast as possible so as to be able to help father and mother.’
+
+“I tell ye, Mis’ Weston, I was all took back to find a sweet young girl
+who was ’most a stranger to us had learned my boy’s good traits ’fore I
+had. Well, when Reuben came in jist ’fore supper-time with his jacket
+with a big tear in it, I was jist ready ter say somethin’. He took the
+jacket off and hung it on my chair ter be mended; and layin’ his hand on
+my shoulder, he said, ‘I wish I didn’t get my things tore quite so
+often, mother, but this time I couldn’t help it.’
+
+“It took lots er resolution, but I jest kissed him on his forehead, and
+the s’prised look on his face made me realize how long it had been sence
+I’d kissed him before.
+
+“‘Reuben,’ says I, ‘no matter what I say when I speak hasty, just
+remember that yer mother thinks the world of ye!’
+
+“‘F you’ll believe me, that boy flew at me, and puttin’ his arms round
+my neck he said, ‘Why, mother, a minute ago I was awful sorry, and now
+I’m almost glad I tore my jacket.’
+
+“‘So be I,’ says I, and then we both laughed, but we were jest as near
+cryin’, and I tell you, Mis’ Weston, I ain’t never goin’ ter have such a
+distance, so to speak, between my boy and me as there has been; I guess
+we understand each other now.”
+
+“Well, I don’t know when I’ve heard any better news,” said Mrs. Weston,
+taking off her glasses and slowly wiping them. “I think pretty well of
+little Reuben, and I b’lieve, properly encouraged, he’ll make a good
+man.”
+
+“Well, now, it beats all how Miss Dayton does things,” said Mrs. Jenks.
+“Some folks would have blundered about it in a way that would have made
+me mad, but to this day, I do say, I don’t know how she done it. And
+look at that bunnit,” continued enthusiastic Mrs. Jenks, “didn’t she
+make them bows pretty? I declare, there ain’t a prettier bunnit in the
+meetin’-house than that.”
+
+“’Tis pretty,” assented Mrs. Weston; “just as pretty as it can be.”
+
+“So I say,” said Mrs. Jenks, “and now this mornin’ I met Mis’ Hodgkins
+and her husband. ‘They’d just come from here,’ they said, ‘and,’ says
+Mis’ Hodgkins, ‘we’re goin’ ter have the first apple-bee ter Mis’
+Weston’s and,’ says she, sorter smilin’, ‘I ain’t sure’s you’ll be very
+anxious ter help, but we’re all goin’ ter do our part ter help make a
+grand time fer Miss Dayton;’ and says I, ‘If it’s fer Miss Dayton, I’ll
+agree to contribute anything you like toward the supper, and I’ll go
+right over now an’ tell Mis’ Weston so.’ My, but didn’t she look at me!
+I laughed ter myself, an’ I said right out loud, as I drove off,
+‘Matilda Jenks, this is the last time any one will have a chance ter
+call ye stingy.’
+
+“I commenced this mornin’ by givin’ Reuben a lot of maple sugar to treat
+the boys with, and I tell you Miss Dayton’s ’bout right, it does feel
+good to give. We’ve been prospered, and from this time forth I ain’t
+goin’ ter be foolish with this world’s goods; but I _vow_ I won’t be
+mean; so I’ve come ter say that if there’s anythin’ I can offer ter help
+make the bee a success, jest say the word an’ you shall have it.”
+
+“Mrs. Jenks,” said Mrs. Weston, kindly, “I always said ye hadn’t but one
+fault, and now you’ve overcome that, seems to me you’re pretty near
+perfect.”
+
+“I guess there’s room fer improvement,” said Mrs. Jenks, grasping her
+friend’s extended hand, “but I’ve started in the right direction. Now, I
+must be goin’, and remember I’ll do anything ter help along that bee.”
+
+Mrs. Weston promised to remember, and as rapidly as she came Matilda
+Jenks strode down the path and drove away.
+
+A few minutes later Randy came running in at the door. “Oh, mother,”
+said she, “I ran out to look for Prue again, while Mrs. Jenks was
+talking, and, mother, she’s doing the cunningest thing. She’s playing
+read. She’s lying on the grass back of the house, with the fairy book in
+front of her. She’s making b’lieve read to Tabby. Do come and see her.”
+
+Softly they made their way around the house and, sure enough, there lay
+Prue, the wonderful fairy book before her, her elbows on the book, and
+her chin in her hands. Soon they were near enough to hear what she was
+reading, and yet not to be observed.
+
+[Illustration: Prue and Tabby reading the Fairy Book]
+
+“Now, Tabby,” she was saying, “you _mustn’t_ go to sleep when I’m
+reading to you. Now you listen: The princess—that’s Miss Dayton,
+Tabby—is very beautiful, and so I know there must be a prince,
+somewhere, that she knows; ’cause, Tabby, in the fairy tales the
+princesses always has princes; and, Tabby, I’ll tell you truly, Miss
+Dayton is prettier than any picture in this book. And, Tabby, she loves
+little girls and big girls, like my Randy, and she loves big womens and
+old womens and old mens, like Sandy McLeod; and, Tabby, I b’lieve, I
+most b’lieve she loves you, and I’m going to ask her.
+
+“She prob’ly does love you; she seems to love everybody. This isn’t all
+in the book, Tabby, but what I tell you that isn’t in the book is true.
+I’m most glad the fairy stories ain’t true; for if things did happen
+like what’s in the book, maybe you’d turn into a frog, and then, Tabby,
+I couldn’t hug you.”
+
+Here Tabby rubbed her head against Prue’s little arm. “There,” said the
+child, “you _knew_ what I said, didn’t you?” and she sprang up, catching
+Tabby in her arms to “love her,” as she called it.
+
+“Oh, did you hear me reading to my kitty?” shouted Prue, as she caught
+sight of her smiling audience.
+
+“We heard ye, and I guess some of it was full as pretty as what was in
+the book,” said Mrs. Weston, and together the three wended their way
+back to the house, followed by Tabby.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X—THE APPLE-BEE
+
+
+The apple-bee was to occur on Thursday evening, and Mrs. Weston and
+Randy, with little Prue for “errand boy,” had been busily employed in
+preparation for the delightful event. Prue made a fine little page, so
+delighted was she to be useful.
+
+“Bring me the yellow mixin’ bowl, Prue,” called Mrs. Weston. Into the
+closet darted Prue, and over to the table with the big bowl she
+hastened. “Now what shall I do to help the apple-bee?” said she.
+
+“Perhaps the apple-bee would like to have you pull all the stems off
+these raisins,” said her mother, laughing. So Prue sat down upon the
+large braided rug near the door and began to stem the raisins with all
+her might. Soon Mrs. Hodgkins arrived and imperiously ordered her
+husband to “lug in that crock from the wagon.”
+
+“For mercy’s sake!” ejaculated Mrs. Weston, “whatever have you got
+there?” as, puffing and blowing, Joel Hodgkins landed an immense stone
+crock upon the kitchen table.
+
+“Well, I’ll tell ye,” said Mrs. Hodgkins; “I know this is no donation
+party, but I had this big crock er doughnuts, and I says, says I,
+‘Somebody will eat ’em ef I take ’em over,’ so here they be.”
+
+“Sophrony wouldn’t think she was takin’ part in the bee if some of her
+prize doughnuts wasn’t in the treat.”
+
+Every one laughed at Joel Hodgkins’s speech, and the doughnuts were very
+kindly received.
+
+“We all know that your doughnuts are the best in town,” said Mrs.
+Weston, “and I guess everybody’ll be glad to have one, I’m sure—” but
+the remark was left incomplete as she hastened to the door to admit Mrs.
+Jenks.
+
+“How are ye, Mrs. Weston? I had Reuben drive me over, and I’ve brought a
+lot of those big red apples, ef ye don’t mind havin’ ’em. Reuben an’ I
+have rubbed and polished ’em ’til they shine like everything. I thought
+maybe they’d make the table look pretty,” and she flushed as she offered
+this first contribution of her life.
+
+“They will look handsome,” said Mrs. Weston. “I declare it was real
+thoughtful in you to bring them. Why, for goodness’ sake! How many did
+ye bring?” as Reuben arrived with basket after basket, which he placed
+in a row upon the table, and then commenced to make another row upon the
+swing table on the opposite side of the room.
+
+“I’ve no idee how many there is,” said Mrs. Jenks. “Reuben an’ I
+commenced rubbin’ and polishin’ ’em right after breakfast, and we never
+stopped rubbin’ ’til we was ready to start. Then we packed in the
+baskets, and here we be.”
+
+Meanwhile the neighbors had removed bonnets and shawls, and three
+energetic housekeepers, with the help of Randy and little Prue,
+succeeded in “keeping things moving,” as Mrs. Jenks had expressed it.
+
+Suddenly, Jotham Potts’s dark face peeped in at the door, with, “Say,
+Mrs. Weston, I’m a master hand at chopping, so any time I can help, just
+give me a chopping knife and tray, and I’ll work like a major.”
+
+“I’ll bear ye in mind, and call ye when I want ye,” answered Mrs.
+Weston, and Prue rushed to the door to offer him a handful of raisins,
+saying, “I give them to you, Jotham, ’cause you’re the biggest and the
+nicest boy I know.”
+
+“Thank you, pussy. Hey! where are you now?” and he swung the child
+lightly up on his shoulder.
+
+“May I go with Jotham ’stead of picking any more raisins?”
+
+“Yes, run along,” said her mother, glad to have her in the care of some
+one whom she could trust to keep her out of mischief.
+
+So busily did every one work that by Wednesday night the cooking for the
+spread was completed. Old and young had helped with a will to make the
+evening a success, and at last Thursday arrived, although Prue confided
+to Randy that she “b’lieved it never would.”
+
+When the final decorations for the apple-bee were in place, everything
+needed for the sumptuous spread ready, there was absolutely nothing to
+do but wait patiently for the evening to come.
+
+The apples were to be cut, cored, and strung in the kitchen, the spread
+was to be in the “settin’ room,” and all the rooms were decorated so
+gayly that they appeared festive indeed. Randy had decorated the “best
+room,” making it gay with branches of autumn leaves, in gorgeous colors,
+and sprays of scarlet privet berries.
+
+The Babson girls had had a bright idea in regard to trimming the
+“settin’ room.”
+
+“What’s the reason we can’t tie the corn husks together at the tip ends,
+and keep on tying ’til we get enough to go around the room, and then
+hang up the long string of ears and husks just above the pictures?”
+queried Belinda Babson.
+
+“Oh, Belinda!” screamed Randy, “that’s such a bright idea, what ever
+made you think of it?”
+
+“I just did think of it, that’s all,” said Belinda, much pleased that
+her design for decoration met with approval. So the girls rushed out to
+the barn to find Mr. Weston and ask permission to use the corn.
+
+“Land, yes,” he said when approached, “use anything within reach, I say,
+so long as it helps to make the house look pooty;” so, laughing gayly,
+the girls filled their aprons with corn, and running to the house
+commenced, in furious haste, to tie the husks together.
+
+All the young friends had called that morning in a body to offer their
+help to Randy, and she had most gladly accepted it.
+
+While the girls were tying the corn husks, Jotham Potts and Reuben Jenks
+were making themselves very useful, for by this time the girls had
+discovered that it required a great many ears of corn with which to
+garland or festoon the room. The boys brought the corn in wheelbarrow
+loads and then offered to help do the tying.
+
+“Oh, boys couldn’t do this,” said Phœbe Small, who was much piqued to
+see that whenever Jotham sat down to rest, he sat near Randy.
+
+“That’s one of your pleasant speeches, Phœbe,” said Reuben Jenks, before
+his friend Jotham could reply; whereat Phœbe tied a hard knot in a corn
+husk with such unnecessary vim that it broke.
+
+Reuben laughed slyly; and Randy with her usual kindness, appearing not
+to notice the tilt, praised Phœbe’s pretty arrangement of red and yellow
+ears, and thus smoothed “ruffled feathers.”
+
+Jotham looked at Randy with real admiration. “I b’lieve she always does
+the right thing,” thought the boy; so Phœbe’s spite only strengthened
+the admiration of Randy’s young cavalier.
+
+“I think I’ve got a first-rate notion for decorating,” said Jotham, “and
+if you’ll let me and Reuben do it I tell you we can make that front walk
+as light as day, and as handsome as a picture for to-night, Randy,” and
+Jotham looked at the girl with eyes that sparkled with enthusiasm.
+
+“Of course I’ll let you do it, if it’s fine,” said Randy.
+
+“Now you needn’t ask questions, for it’s a secret; and Reuben an’ me’ll
+do it, without telling anybody but your pa,” said Jotham, and out rushed
+the boys to hold a whispered conclave on the back stairs.
+
+“My, won’t that be prime!” ejaculated Reuben, amazed at the brilliancy
+of Jotham’s plan, and proud to be taken into a secret by a boy three
+years older than himself.
+
+Mr. Weston laughed long and loudly when the boys unfolded their plan,
+and declared that he’d do his part of it now. Accordingly, he soon
+appeared in the path which led from the road to the door, and began to
+drive long stakes into the ground on either side of the walk.
+
+“What are you doing, father?” called Randy.
+
+“Drivin’ stakes, ain’t I?” he responded, and with that she was obliged
+to be contented. The boys were out of sight, and the girls wondered what
+they were doing; but when at night a line of brilliant lights glowed on
+each side of the walk, they willingly declared the decoration a success.
+
+Mr. Weston had driven the stakes quite near together and every one was
+capped with a jack-o’-lantern made from a great golden pumpkin, so that,
+from road to doorway, a line of grinning goblins served to give a
+flaming welcome.
+
+At last everything was in readiness and the guests began to arrive.
+Reuben’s mother had listened with much interest to the boy’s scheme, and
+had insisted on donating all the pumpkins required.
+
+And now the wagons began to arrive, and great praise was bestowed upon
+the boys for their novel lighting of the walk. The pumpkins made very
+fine lamps, and one giant of its kind, fastened high above the door,
+smiled broadly upon each new arrival.
+
+Team after team drove up to the door, and shouts and laughter rang out
+on the crisp evening air as the guests first saw the gleaming lantern
+rows.
+
+At last nearly every one had arrived, and the rooms were bright with
+happy faces. In one corner a group of old ladies were chatting about the
+bees and huskings which they had enjoyed in their youth.
+
+The farmers and their wives were buzzing away over the latest bit of
+village gossip, the women telling it as they “b’lieved it was,” and the
+men using convincing arguments to show that they had heard it “straight”
+at the store at the four corners.
+
+Girls and boys tried to out-talk each other, and everywhere the children
+ran in and out, playing “hide-and-seek” behind the sturdy forms of their
+elders.
+
+Helen had coaxed Randy to refrain from brushing back every curling lock,
+telling her that her hair was made to curl; and thus convinced, Randy
+appeared at the bee with a soft fluff of her light brown hair making a
+halo about her face.
+
+“I must say Miss Dayton’s right; I like the looks of it,” said Mrs.
+Weston, when Randy appeared before her with her hair dressed in the
+manner which Miss Dayton had suggested; so with much impatience Randy
+waited to see the look of approval on Helen’s face when she should
+arrive. And others were looking for Helen in whose honor this festival
+was planned.
+
+At last a resounding “Whoa! Be still, can’t ye?” announced the arrival
+of old Sandy McLeod, and great was the surprise when, as Randy opened
+the door, Helen—smiling, radiant Helen—came in, saying, “Good evening,
+friends,” and followed by her ancient cavalier, old Sandy.
+
+“The lass is late because too many lads wanted to bring her,” said
+Sandy, his old eyes twinkling.
+
+“That is true,” said Helen, laughing, “too many lads, so I gave my
+choice to the eldest. Now for my bundle,” and stepping out into the
+centre of the room Sandy showed, for the first time, that he held a
+large parcel.
+
+“I have a little surprise for you, dear friends,” said Helen; “I wished
+to offer my mite toward the evening’s pleasure, so I will ask Mrs.
+Weston to allow Mr. McLeod—”
+
+“Call me Sandy, lass,” said the old man, gently.
+
+“To allow Sandy,” corrected the girl, “to place this box on the centre
+of the supper table, to be opened when we are all seated around the
+spread.”
+
+So the big box held its place of honor, and great was the curiosity
+concerning it.
+
+The children now commenced to play “the needle’s eye,” an old game
+popular among the country children, which is very similar to “London
+Bridge.”
+
+  “The needle’s eye it doth comply
+  With the thread which runs so true.
+  It has caught many a very fine lass,
+  And now it has caught you.”
+
+Little Hitty Buffum found herself a prisoner. However, she was soon
+kissed and released, and through the arch formed by clasped hands and
+uplifted arms trooped the children, keeping time to the sing-song chant
+of the queer verse. They saw nothing funny in the verse, however, and
+played the game with great enthusiasm.
+
+Meanwhile the apples were being pared by industrious hands and soon the
+“stringing” began. Merrily the work went on with jokes and lively
+chatter, and before it seemed possible the task was completed.
+
+The boys now gathered up the parings, carried them away, and once more
+the room was in order.
+
+“Now, friends,” said Randy’s father, “let’s all have supper.” No one
+waited for a second invitation, and a cheery, happy party made a
+complete circle around the long table. What a spread that was! Hot baked
+beans and brown bread, mince pies, pumpkin pies, gingerbread and
+doughnuts, nuts and apples, made a “treat for a king,” said old Sandy
+McLeod.
+
+“Now, Mr. Weston,” said Helen, “please open my box;” and when the cover
+was removed a chorus of “Ohs” and “Ahs” greeted the sight disclosed.
+Helen had sent to Boston for an immense box of bonbons, and to those
+simple country people, who knew naught but home-made confections, the
+rose and violet tinted dainties looked like a fairy gift. But if they
+were unacquainted with such candies, it took a fabulously short time to
+learn to like them, and soon the bottom of the box appeared.
+
+Happy Helen, to have given so much pleasure! And now the table which had
+been so bountifully spread was beginning to look bare, for everybody had
+had a most excellent appetite, and had done full justice to the meal.
+The chairs were pushed back and old Sandy asked to have a bit of music.
+“The little lassies who sang the other night, canna they sing?” said he,
+looking kindly at Prue and Katie, who were playing “bean porridge hot”
+together.
+
+“Ain’t any pi-ano here,” said Katie.
+
+“Never mind that,” said Helen; “I think if you and Prue sing the little
+songs which you sang the other evening so sweetly, Sandy will, in
+return, make some music for you.”
+
+“That I will,” responded the old man, heartily; “but there’s naught so
+blithe as the sound of a bairnie’s voice.”
+
+So wee Katie was mounted upon a chair, in lieu of a platform, and she
+sang the little solo, “Once there was a little mouse,” giving all the
+verses, and even remembering to make a little bow as Helen had taught
+her. Indeed, she bowed so vigorously that she barely escaped losing her
+balance. Then she hopped down, and little Prue sprang up in her place,
+singing, “Sometimes I am a daisy bloom,” just as she had sung it at Mrs.
+Gray’s on the evening of the tableaux. When she had finished the last
+lines,
+
+  “And next to those I love the best
+  I love each one of you,”
+
+she kissed her little finger tips to her admiring audience, as Helen had
+taught her to do.
+
+Every one applauded, and old Sandy called the children to him, saying,
+“I’ll make the music for ye now, I wad na hae the heart to refuse,” and
+rising hastily he left the room. Every one was surprised at this abrupt
+movement and wondered if the childish voice had moved him too deeply,
+awakening the memories of his Scottish home and friends.
+
+Silent he had ever been in regard to home and kindred, answering
+questions in a manner which invited no further queries; but since
+Helen’s stay in the village he had warmed wonderfully toward his
+neighbors, and seemed quite unlike the silent old man whom they had
+known.
+
+But while they were wondering about his absence, Sandy reappeared. What
+a change! Arrayed in all the bravery of a Scottish chieftain, old Sandy
+stood before them, a picture indeed.
+
+Over a kilt of tartan he wore the red coat and plaid, and on his head,
+crowning his white locks, sat a genuine Scotch “bonnet,” with an eagle
+feather black as night. In his hands he carried the bagpipes, and while
+the children stared, open-mouthed, Sandy commenced to play. “Scots Wha
+Hae” rang out with a wonderful skirl, followed by “Bonnie Prince
+Charlie,” “Jock o’ Hazeldean,” and a half dozen more, until old Nathan
+Lawton declared that there was no keeping still with such music, and
+when at his request the pipes commenced to play a rollicking reel, old
+Nathan remarked that he used to cut “pigeon wings” and he guessed he
+could now, took his position in the centre of the floor, and proceeded
+to cut them in a wonderful manner.
+
+If the children were delighted, so were their elders, for was this not a
+treat of which they had not dreamed? and, best of all, two old people
+who had been so cold and forbidding now were warmed and charmed into a
+friendly feeling with all their neighbors.
+
+When Sandy and Nathan Lawton stopped to rest and regain their breath,
+the young people crowded around them to thank them and to examine the
+fine Scotch costume which Sandy wore.
+
+“That’s a pretty dress and jacket,” said little Prue, admiringly, “and
+you’ve got such a long sash, too.”
+
+The child’s admiration for his costume pleased the old man, and it was
+of small consequence to him that she called his kilt a dress. Lifting
+Prue upon his knee, he stroked her short fair curls, telling her how
+like the little lass she was who used to be his playmate in bonnie
+Scotland.
+
+[Illustration: “‘Why don’t you send the Little Girl a Letter?’”]
+
+“Is she big as me?” asked the little girl, all unmindful that Sandy’s
+child mate had had many years in which to grow.
+
+A moment the old man hesitated, then, very gently, he told the child
+upon his knee of that other child away in bonnie Scotland; told her that
+when his little mate was a child, he had been a child too; that he had
+known her all his young life; that she had grown old as he had, and
+now—but here he paused, and practical little Prue, looking up at him,
+asked, “Is it far to Scotland?” Sandy told her that it was very far
+indeed.
+
+“Too far to send letters?” was the next question.
+
+“No,” he assured her; “it was not as far as that.”
+
+“Then why don’t you send the little girl a letter?” questioned Prue.
+
+Those who had heard the question were fearful that the old Scotchman
+would be displeased.
+
+For a moment a look of amazement rested on Sandy’s face as he stared at
+the innocent questioner; then, as with an effort, he said, “I will,
+little lass, I will.”
+
+“I would,” said little Prue, “and tell her there’s another little girl,
+what you know, sends her love to her, will you, Sandy?”
+
+“Bless the bairn! Ye hae mair wisdom than ye ken;” adding under his
+breath, “a deal mair wisdom than Sandy McLeod.”
+
+It was Helen, who, while walking by his house, had heard Sandy playing
+the pipes ever so softly, and looking in, had seen him playing, and, at
+the same time, looking lovingly at the old Scotch costume as it lay
+spread out upon the wooden chest in which it was usually kept. She had
+coaxed a part of his story from him that day, and he had declared he
+felt better for the telling.
+
+The costume was one which his father had worn as chief of his clan when
+Sandy was a young man. There had been a dispute in which he and his
+father had been equally obstinate.
+
+When the old man died, Sandy had left Scotland, taking with him the suit
+of tartan, the bagpipes, and, dearer than all, a letter in which his
+father forgave him for his part in the dispute. Further than this he
+refused to talk, saying nothing whatever as to living kinsmen or
+friends.
+
+Having told a part of his story to Helen, to which she listened with
+ready interest and sympathy, it needed but a hit of judicious coaxing to
+get him to promise to play at the apple-bee.
+
+And now the gayety, which had lulled while every one had listened to the
+music, revived, and each one present seemed to be trying his best to
+out-talk his neighbor.
+
+“Isn’t Miss Dayton’s blue dress the very handsomest dress you ever saw?”
+said Jemima Babson.
+
+“Yes, and isn’t she the handsomest person you ever saw in _any_ dress?”
+said Phœbe Small, looking sharply at Randy, who was looking unusually
+pretty with her hair dressed to show its curls and ripples.
+
+“Miss Dayton’s splendid, we all know that,” said Jotham, blushing
+furiously; “but it don’t make it out that Randy Weston isn’t amazing
+pretty.”
+
+And here another voice chimed in, “Did yer ever taste anything like that
+candy in yer life?”
+
+“It was just splendid, and I do b’lieve—”
+
+“Have ye noticed Mrs. Jenks? I do declare, she’s as much different from
+what she used ter be as possible. Why, she sent them fine apples, and
+gave the hull of them pumpkins, and—”
+
+Just at this point Mrs. Buffum ejaculated, “Well, as I live! ef it ain’t
+half-past ten o’clock,” and she commenced at once to collect her brood.
+All were loath to leave the joyous scene, but the lateness of the hour
+made it imperative. Some one proposed a song before saying good night,
+and soon old and young voices chimed sweetly together as they sang:—
+
+  “All the year round, all the year round,
+  What are the seasons to you or to me?
+  Summer may go, bleak winds may blow,
+  Roses crown winter if cheery we be.
+  Sounds of the glad spring, pleasures the birds bring,
+  These live in loving hearts where’er they’re found;
+  Sweet is the May time, sweet is the hay time,
+  So sweet are loving lips, all the year round.”
+
+“Hooray for the apple-bee! Hooray for Miss Dayton!” shouted Reuben
+Jenks, “Hooray for the bagpipes and the dance!” Every one cheered, and
+Jotham, laughing at his friend’s enthusiasm, shouted, “Hooray for every
+one and everything!” and they even cheered that; so, laughing and
+cheering, with lively chatter and snatches of song, wraps were donned
+and good nights said.
+
+After the last guest had departed, Randy turned from the doorway, and
+going back into the house she sat down opposite her father, a happy
+smile upon her lips.
+
+“Well, Randy,” said her father, kindly, as he saw she had something to
+say.
+
+“Oh, father,” she said, “doesn’t it make you happy to see every one
+having a good time?”
+
+“Yes, indeed, it does,” said father and mother together.
+
+“I mean to try always to make people happy,” said Randy.
+
+“So do I,” said little Prue; “but now let’s go to bed.”
+
+Randy laughed, and saying, “You’ve done bravely, Prue, to keep your eyes
+open to-night,” led her little sister up the stairs to their tiny
+chamber, where soon they were fast asleep.
+
+The Babson girls talked until after midnight over the evening’s
+entertainment, declaring it to be the “very greatest bee they ever went
+to.”
+
+Phœbe Small, having no sister to talk it over with, kept the candle
+burning until late that night, while she wrote in her diary a lengthy
+description of the event. Phœbe had heard her mother tell of keeping a
+diary when she was young, so, of course, Phœbe, who ardently admired her
+mother, immediately commenced to keep one.
+
+Old Sandy McLeod, as he gallantly helped Helen Dayton to alight at Mrs.
+Gray’s door, thanked her over and over again for the pleasure she had
+given him in allowing him to be her escort, telling her that he was glad
+enough that she had urged him to play the pipes, since the music had
+given such pleasure; adding, “Old Nathan and old Sandy hae’ na been the
+best of friends and neighbors, but to-night we hae shaken hands an’
+we’re to be friends forever.”
+
+“Oh, I’m so glad,” said Helen.
+
+“And ane thing mair, lass,” he interrupted, “about that letter the
+little lass was talking of, I’ll write it to-night!”
+
+“It is late, now,” said Helen.
+
+“None too late to write. I’ll do it to-night and sen’ it to-morrow, as
+sure as I’m Sandy McLeod.”
+
+True to his word, Sandy sat at his table until late into the night,
+writing a long, long letter. The candle flickered as his hand moved back
+and forth across the pages.
+
+Many times he paused while writing, and with his head resting upon his
+hand, he seemed to be thinking how best to express himself, so that his
+message might find favor with his old friend and playmate.
+
+At last, apparently, the letter was completed satisfactorily; for as the
+old man arose from the table, a faint smile flitted across his face.
+
+Crossing the room to the old chest by the window, he fumbled about until
+he brought from its depths a little package; then, walking to the table,
+he placed the tiny parcel between the folded pages of the letter, put
+the letter into its envelope, and with utmost care addressed it, reading
+the address over three times to make sure that it was correct. Under his
+pillow he placed the letter, saying, “With the light o’ day I’ll start
+ye on the journey.” And of all the merry party who laughed and sang away
+the hours at the apple-bee, not one possessed a happier heart than
+Sandy.
+
+And Helen murmured, softly, as she lay half awake and half asleep,
+“Every one was happy to-night.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI—AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR
+
+
+The sun rose in golden splendor one morning to find that a curtain of
+purple haze prevented his sunship from showing all his dazzling glory.
+
+It was indeed a typical October morning in New England. For a time the
+haze prevailed, holding her own bravely against the sun, who struggled
+for supremacy; but at last he rose triumphant, the mist softly melting
+away beneath his warm rays.
+
+How fair and tall the slender birches looked as the bright rays gilded
+their white trunks! How cool and deep the little pool which reflected
+the birches and brakes which overhung its edge; and far away across the
+field a great black crow flew, cawing as he winged his way, then perched
+upon a slender twig which swayed beneath his weight. Tiny sparrows
+twittered and chirped as they hopped about among the dried weeds,
+searching among the seed vessels for a possible breakfast.
+
+Truly, all things were beautiful that morning; and Randy, from her
+chamber window, looked out upon the lovely scene, and on her face a
+smile and tear appeared,—a smile on the sweet lips in memory of the
+summer’s pleasure; a tear at the thought of Helen’s departure.
+
+“It has been the nicest summer I have ever known,” mused Randy, softly.
+“Everything has looked prettier since she taught me how to look at
+things. How sweetly she thanked me for the rose I cut for her without
+spilling one of the dewdrops. ’Twas only a little thing, yet she thanked
+me as if the dewdrops were diamonds. Why, she just made me wild to find
+something to give to every one, if giving made such pleasure. I remember
+that I said I often wished I had more to give, and she showed me, oh, so
+plainly, that a smile or a pleasant word was worth the giving that I
+felt at once as if I were rich; for any one can say a pleasant word and
+all of us can smile. Oh, she’s done us ‘a world of good,’ as the
+parson’s wife said.”
+
+While Randy dreamed at her window, Helen stood in the doorway at Mrs.
+Gray’s, and she, too, was thinking of the summer so happily spent.
+
+Soon she would be at home, and in a few months the winter season would
+bring a round of social engagements.
+
+Why had the days so quietly spent seemed so charming? What was the
+secret of their charm? Happy she had been,—very, very happy,—and so
+swiftly had the weeks sped that it seemed impossible that October had
+arrived. She had chosen to spend the summer, contrary to her usual
+custom, in a little country village, with no other thought than that in
+such a place she could be sure of rest and quiet.
+
+She was a girl of generous impulses, and after becoming acquainted with
+the people of the neighborhood of the Gray homestead, many an
+opportunity for a gracious word or a generous action presented itself.
+How gently and with what ready tact she had made herself a friend to
+young and old, was proven by the genuine regret manifested whenever her
+departure was mentioned.
+
+Helen had a host of friends of whom to take leave, and all were charmed
+and gladdened to hear that they would see her sweet face again sometime
+during the winter. She had called to see old Sandy once more before her
+departure, and he had had a wonderful bit of news to tell.
+
+The letter which he had written after his return from the apple-bee he
+had posted early on the following morning. It was addressed to Miss
+Margaret McLean, and Sandy explained that, as her father had been a
+prominent manufacturer in the little Scottish town in which they had
+lived for years, holding large business interests and owning a number of
+mills which bore his name, the daughter, his only child, must be well
+known there; so he had trusted that the letter, written after so many
+years’ delay, might be promptly delivered.
+
+Strangely enough, it had never occurred to Sandy to wonder if his old
+playmate were still living. To his great joy, an answer to the letter
+came sooner than he had expected. She was still waiting for him, she
+said, as she had ever waited, hoping that the time would come when he
+would forgive her for teasing him,—it had been but a girlish freak,—and
+tell her that he loved her as of old.
+
+Her father had lost much of his money before he died, but she had a “bit
+of property,” she said, and she had sold her little cottage and would
+leave on the next steamer for America. She would bring with her a little
+Scotch lass, an orphan whom she had befriended and trained to be a
+little maid-servant; and, insisting that Sandy should meet her and go at
+once to some kirk to be married, she closed her letter with love to
+Sandy and a blessing for Helen and the wee lass, Prue. To Helen’s
+congratulations he would only say, “It’s your doing, lass, yours and the
+bairnie’s.”
+
+Sandy confided to Helen that he had been afraid that Margaret might
+doubt that he and the Sandy McLeod of her youth were one and the same;
+but, he added: “I had a proof, I had a proof, lass! I had a lock o’ her
+bonnie hair tied wi’ a knot o’ blue ribbon. I knew she’d na forget
+gi’en’ it to me, and I put it in the letter.”
+
+“That was clever,” said Helen.
+
+“An’ she said she’d bring it back wi’ her when she sailed for America,”
+added the old Scotchman, joyously; and Helen left him happy in the
+thought that although her farewell saddened him, there soon would be a
+dearer friend to greet him.
+
+Farmer Gray had driven to the village early that morning, and when he
+returned he greeted Helen cheerily, at the same time handing her a
+letter, saying, “I hope it is full of good news, Miss Dayton.”
+
+It proved to be a letter from her aunt, urging Helen to start at once
+for home, as an uncle who had not seen her since she was a very little
+girl was making a short stay in Boston, and wished very much to see his
+niece before he returned to his home in a western city.
+
+“I am proud of you, Helen, as you know,” wrote the dear old lady, “and I
+so earnestly wish Robert to see you that I wish you would start as soon
+as you receive this letter.”
+
+Helen left for Boston early that morning, asking Mrs. Gray to tell Randy
+that she would write to her as soon as she reached home. Helen’s
+departure was only a day earlier than she had intended, yet she
+regretted to leave in such haste. She had wished to bid Randy and dear
+little Prue an affectionate good-by and reiterate her promise of a
+flying visit sometime during the winter months.
+
+As she sat looking out of the car window and watched the little town
+receding, she thought of Randy’s sweet face, and like a vision it
+appeared before her with grieved eyes and quivering lips, just as she
+knew the girl would look when Mrs. Gray told her of her friend’s
+departure. Then a bright thought occurred to her, and a happy smile
+played about her lips.
+
+Opening her little bag she took from it a block of paper, such as she
+had used for memoranda, and with a pencil she commenced a note to Randy.
+She would obtain an envelope and stamp as soon as she reached Boston.
+Helen possessed a merry wit, and leaf after leaf of the little block she
+filled with a breezy account of her journey. She described at length the
+man with three immense leather bags, who tried in vain to walk down the
+aisle with all that baggage, and was at last compelled to make three
+separate trips; the old lady with a box containing a cat which mewed
+dismally all the way; the woman with four children, who seemed to have
+an endless supply of lunches, yet cried for more; the boy peddling prize
+candy, and any number of small happenings.
+
+The writing served to make the long ride less tedious, and she knew that
+the letter would make Randy smile through her tears.
+
+                   *       *       *       *       *
+
+When Randy and Prue appeared at breakfast time they were amazed to find
+Aunt Prudence at the table.
+
+“Why, when did you come?” questioned Prue, abruptly, staring at her aunt
+as if that lady had been an apparition instead of a very tangible
+reality.
+
+“I came last night, after you children was in bed,” said Aunt Prudence,
+“and I guess your father was ’bout as s’prised as you be.”
+
+“Wal’, I guess I was,” said Mr. Weston. “Ye was the last person I
+expected to see when I stopped near the depot to talk with neighbor
+Gray, but I was jest as glad to see ye as ef ye’d sent word ye was
+comin’.”
+
+Mrs. Weston also hastened to assure her that her unexpected arrival was
+a pleasant surprise, but the children could not say a word. Prue was
+filled with a dread of Aunt Prudence’s sharp eyes, which would be sure
+to detect any sign of plotted mischief; and Randy, knowing Prue’s
+intense dislike of supervision, realized that careful watching,
+amounting almost to strategy, would be necessary to keep the little girl
+from vexing Aunt Prudence, thereby actually showing her how intensely
+she disliked her.
+
+Although the morning hours were fully occupied, Randy was aware of a
+subtle sense of change in Aunt Prudence. She looked as angular and
+austere as before, but her voice seemed less shrill, and her sharp eyes
+behind her glasses looked out with a softened light.
+
+“Perhaps we didn’t really know her before,” said Randy to Prue.
+
+“P’r’aps maybe we didn’t,” answered Prue. “She calls me Prudence same’s
+she did before, but she says it diffe’nt.”
+
+“That’s it,” said Randy, “her voice is pleasanter.”
+
+“And her eyes isn’t always looking at me, so I don’t darest to move,”
+said Prue.
+
+Randy turned away quickly, that Prue need not see her laughing. The idea
+that any one could prevent her little sister from indulging in almost
+perpetual motion, seemed utterly funny to her.
+
+Half an hour later Randy chanced to hear Prue talking to Tabby, just
+under the kitchen window.
+
+“Now, Tabby,” she was saying, “if you lie real still while I drag you
+’round, you’ll get a lovely ride and nobody’ll ever know it; but if you
+squirm and act naughty, I’ll put the basket right back in Aunt
+Prudence’s room, and I won’t give you any ride at all.”
+
+Randy waited to hear no more, for upon looking out over the wide
+window-sill she espied naughty little Prue dragging Miss Prudence’s best
+cap basket around the dooryard. She had made Tabby lie in the basket,
+then pressing down the cover she had fastened the little straw loop and
+thus locked Tabby into a very close carriage. Out rushed Randy, to
+rescue Tabby and the pretty basket at the same time.
+
+“What makes you think to do such naughty things, Prue Weston?” said
+indignant Randy; “don’t you know you’re plaguing Tabby and Aunt Prudence
+at the same time?”
+
+“Tabby likes to ride,” asserted Prue, “and I don’t care if I do plague—”
+but the mischievous little elf did not finish the sentence, for on
+looking up, there stood Aunt Prudence in the doorway.
+
+Randy’s face was suffused with hot blushes, and Prue, naughty little
+Prue, looked completely abashed.
+
+Aunt Prudence was the first to speak. “Bring my basket to me,” said she,
+abruptly, but not unkindly.
+
+Slowly Prue unfastened the cover of the pretty, round cap basket, and
+with even more moderation Tabby stepped out, stopping to yawn and
+stretch while her hind legs were still in the basket.
+
+Prue stooped and energetically lifted her out upon the ground. Randy
+watched Aunt Prudence while Prue walked very slowly toward her, the
+forefinger of her left hand in her mouth, while with the right hand she
+reluctantly handed the basket to its owner.
+
+Did Aunt Prudence smile? Randy thought she espied a twinkle in the sharp
+eyes behind the glasses.
+
+“Now,” said Aunt Prudence, “s’pose you come into my room while I show
+you something worth looking at.”
+
+Into the house, slowly following Aunt Prudence, went Prue and Randy,
+filled with mingled curiosity and dread of the thing which they were
+soon to see.
+
+Aunt Prudence bent over her little hair-covered trunk, lifting aside
+this parcel and that until, oh, could it be true, a cunning little
+wooden cradle, painted bright red, made Prue utter a shrill cry of
+delight.
+
+“Oh! oh! is it for me?” cried Prue. “Oh, I am so sorry I was naughty!”
+
+Aunt Prudence put the cradle into Prue’s chubby hands, who at once held
+it up for Randy to admire.
+
+“It’s a beauty,” said Randy. “Oh, Prue, you’d ought to be good now.”
+
+“I will,” said Prue; then, turning to Aunt Prudence, she said, “I guess
+I almost love you now, and I won’t ever plague you.”
+
+“Well, I guess my basket ain’t hurt much this time; but don’t borry it
+again, child. I guess the cradle will ’bout fit Tabby.”
+
+“Oh, I do b’lieve it will! I’ll go and ‘medjure’ her in it,” said Prue,
+and away she scampered in search of her kitty.
+
+Left alone with her aunt, Randy hesitated a moment, then venturing a
+step nearer, she said, “I think you were very good to give the pretty
+cradle to Prue just when she’d been so naughty; but,” added Randy, as
+usual anxious to shield her little sister, “she isn’t always naughty,
+and now I’m ’most sure she’ll try to please you.” She looked up
+wistfully, hoping for a kindly word for Prue whom she loved so dearly.
+
+“Children will be children,” said Aunt Prudence, with a grim smile. “I
+guess she’s no wuss’n the average.”
+
+“Father says you never had days of being naughty when you were a little
+girl, so I should think Prue’d seem extra naughty to you,” said Randy,
+slowly moving the toe of her shoe back and forth along the cracks in the
+floor. As she glanced shyly at her aunt, hoping for one more consoling
+word in regard to Prue, she was much surprised and relieved to see Aunt
+Prudence actually smiling.
+
+“I guess your father’s forgot about the time I threw his hat down the
+well to see if it would float.”
+
+“Did _you_ do that?” asked Randy, in surprise.
+
+“Yes,” said Aunt Prudence, “and what’s more, I did it on purpose to
+plague him. He was goin’ fishin’, and I wanted to go, too. He said girls
+wus no good at fishin’ and went to the shed to get his rod and line,
+whistlin’ in a way that provoked me. His hat was on the grass near where
+I was standing, and, quick as a flash, I snatched it up and threw it
+down the well, thinkin’ it would delay his fishin’ trip for one while.
+It didn’t, though. He went bare-headed; and soon’s ’twas found out what
+I’d done, I got punished for spoilin’ his hat. Yes, your father
+remembers my good days, an’ it’s just like him to forget that I ever had
+naughty ones. But, Randy,” she said abruptly, “ye don’t ask if I brought
+anything in my trunk for you.”
+
+“Why, I never thought of it,” said Randy.
+
+“Like enough,” said Aunt Prudence; “it seems to me ye nearly always
+think of somebody besides yourself, Randy. I must say, I approve of ye.
+Yer father, every time he writes me, has something ter tell of you
+children; and now you jest help me unpack my trunk, an’ I’ll show ye
+something that, ef I ain’t mistaken, will please ye mightily.”
+
+“Indeed, I’ll help you. I’ll like to,” said Randy, and soon the contents
+of the trunk were spread upon the bed. Those garments which could be
+hung up were placed upon hooks in the closet, and other articles were
+neatly folded in the bureau drawers. One puffy-looking package remained;
+this Aunt Prudence placed in Randy’s hands, saying, “There, Randy,
+there’s the material for making some Christmas presents; and if it makes
+ye happy, I’ll be glad of it.”
+
+Very eagerly Randy untied the parcel, and uttered a little cry of
+delight when the open wrapping disclosed some beautiful colored worsteds
+of various hues.
+
+“I’ll teach ye ter knit while I’m here,” said Aunt Prudence. “And now
+the evenings are beginning to be cool, ye might begin ter make a pretty
+little shawl for yer mother out of that deep red worsted; I guess
+there’s enough of it. That blue yarn will make some mittens for little
+Prudence, and the rest of it ye can do what ye like with.”
+
+Randy’s delight knew no bounds, and she could hardly wait to hunt for
+needles and have her first lesson in knitting.
+
+That night, in their little chamber under the eaves, the children talked
+of Aunt Prudence.
+
+“I always said Aunt Prudence might be nice, if we really knew her,” said
+Randy.
+
+“Yes,” said Prue, “you said that when she was here before, I ’member it;
+but, Randy,” she added, “that was when I was a little girl.”
+
+Randy stifled a laugh, “Why, Prue, what are you now?” said she.
+
+“Now, Randy, you do know you medjured me last Saturday, and you said I’d
+growed most a inch.”
+
+“Well, so you have,” said Randy, gently, “and it’s likely you’ll grow a
+lot more this winter.”
+
+“Course I will,” said Prue, “and, oh, Randy, mustn’t Aunt Prudence have
+growed awful fast when she was a little girl? Just think how big she is
+now! She’s growed good awful fast, too, Randy,” she continued, “for she
+wouldn’t have gived me that little cradle for anything the last time she
+was here, would she, Randy?”
+
+Randy ignored this question.
+
+“We ought to be going to sleep, Prue,” she said; “but I’ll tell you
+something first: I mean to be just as nice to Aunt Prudence as I can,
+while she stays here.”
+
+“So do I,” said little Prue. “I told her to-day when her needle plagued
+her, I told her I’d fred all her needles when she was sewing, and you’d
+never guess what she said, Randy. She said I was a good little girl,—she
+did, truly.”
+
+The patter of raindrops on the roof soon lulled the children to sleep,
+and in their dreams Aunt Prudence figured as the Goddess of Plenty,
+distributing gifts with lavish hands.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII—A WEDDING FEAST
+
+
+Sunday morning Randy and Prue were early at church, and as they leaned
+back against the pew, in expectation of one of Parson Spooner’s long
+sermons, Randy put her hand in her pocket and lovingly caressed a square
+envelope which she had placed there before starting for church.
+
+“Got any candy in your pocket, Randy?” eagerly questioned Prue, as she
+leaned toward her sister. Randy shook her head.
+
+“Didn’t Jotham give you some when he speaked to you at the door?” she
+asked in such a loud whisper that Randy ejaculated “sh-sh,” and again
+shook her head.
+
+“Then what’s in your pocket?” persisted Prue.
+
+Randy drew Helen’s precious letter from her pocket, showing just enough
+of the envelope to satisfy Prue’s curiosity. Then the little girl took a
+hymn book from the rack, and with her wee forefinger commenced to point
+out, and at the same time name those letters which she knew. She found
+every O upon the page, then every S, and Randy thought best to let her
+thus amuse herself as, at least, she was quiet—a most unusual thing.
+
+Helen had mailed the letter at once upon reaching Boston, and Mr. Weston
+had brought it from the village on the following day and placed it in
+Randy’s hand as she sat listening to Mrs. Gray, who had called to
+deliver Helen’s message.
+
+“A letter for me, father?” questioned Randy in surprise. “Why, who’s it
+from?”
+
+Mr. Weston laughed. “Shouldn’t wonder if ye had to open it to find out,
+Randy,” said he.
+
+Randy opened it and laughed with delight when she found it was from
+Helen. She had read it three times and had taken it to church with her,
+because she said she “just couldn’t leave it at home.”
+
+So Sunday morning Randy kept her mind upon the sermon, and her hand upon
+the letter. The sermon had been less lengthy than usual, and when the
+good old pastor had closed the Bible, he removed his spectacles; and as
+he slowly wiped them, he said: “Dear friends, I have a notice to give
+to-day, or perhaps I should say an invitation, and there could be no
+better time or place for what I have to say.
+
+“A quiet wedding ceremony took place at a little church in New York
+City, the contracting parties being our friend and neighbor, Mr. Sandy
+McLeod,—or, as the papers have it, Alexander McLeod,—and Miss Margaret
+McLean of Scotland, an old playmate and friend, from whom our friend has
+been separated many years. I have received a delightful letter from him
+in which I am asked to make this announcement, and to say that they will
+be at home on Wednesday evening. They extend an invitation to all the
+good people of this town to be present, and an especially urgent request
+that all the children be there.”
+
+What a stir that announcement made! What a great event!
+
+Sandy’s farm was one of the finest in the neighborhood, and his house
+the largest and most substantial in the place; but Helen and Parson
+Spooner were the only people who had ever entered it, save Sandy himself
+and the men who worked for him.
+
+Fabulous tales the men had told of the fine things which the house
+contained; so curiosity was rife regarding it, and now every one, even
+the little ones of the parish, were bidden welcome.
+
+After church Randy stopped a moment to speak to the Babson girls and
+Phœbe Small, to tell them of the letter from Helen, promising to read it
+to them if they would call on Monday afternoon.
+
+The girls promised, saying, “You can read us the letter, and then we’ll
+talk over the party, or whatever it is to be, at Sandy McLeod’s.”
+
+Promptly, on Monday afternoon, the girls arrived, and the letter was
+produced and read. How they laughed at Helen’s bright description of the
+events of her homeward journey. Phœbe Small felt that in receiving the
+letter Randy had been especially favored. A little twinge of jealousy
+caused her to part her lips to make a sharp little speech; but,
+remembering a promise to Helen, and her own resolution, she said
+pleasantly, “You must have been pleased to receive it, Randy; I’m glad
+she wrote it to you.”
+
+It was so unlike her usual remarks that the Babson girls looked at each
+other; but Randy slipped her arm around Phœbe as they stood by the
+window, and Phœbe felt rewarded.
+
+They talked earnestly over the event of Wednesday evening, and all were
+enthusiastically expectant.
+
+As the afternoon waned, the girls took leave of Randy, looking back as
+they went down the road to call to her, “We’ll see you Wednesday night.”
+
+Wednesday proved to be a lovely day, and the evening sky was bright with
+stars, the air cold and crisp when the merry party drove up to Sandy’s
+door. As no one wished to be the first to arrive, a large party met at
+Mrs. Weston’s house and together they drove to the McLeod farm.
+
+The large house was ablaze with lights, and as the teams stopped, the
+door was opened wide and a cheery voice shouted, “It’s glad we are to
+see ye, friends, come in, come in,” and Sandy led the way proudly to a
+silver-haired little woman, who stood waiting to greet her husband’s
+friends and neighbors.
+
+Such a sweet-faced little woman, who had a gentle, gracious word for
+every new friend, and a kiss for each one of the children.
+
+When Sandy brought Prue to her, saying, “This is the little lass,
+Margaret, wha said ‘write the letter,’” she took the child upon her lap
+and put her arms about her, saying, “Bless the bairn, will ye come
+sometimes to see me? it wad gae me much pleasure.”
+
+“Oh, yes, I will come,” answered Prue, “if I may bring Randy. She’s my
+big sister, and there’s no one like her anywhere.”
+
+Prue was assured that Randy would be more than welcome. Every one was
+charmed with the gentle little Scotch woman, who seemed equally pleased
+with her new friends.
+
+They sometimes found it a bit difficult to understand her. Sandy had
+been so long in America, and had tried so earnestly to be like his
+neighbors, that he expressed himself in very good English, with here and
+there a bit of his old dialect appearing. His wife, however, had lived
+in a little town some miles distant from the city, and used many words
+which, while in common use in the Scottish village, were utterly unknown
+to her new friends. But her manner could not be misunderstood. It was
+unmistakably the manner of a gentle, lovely character, bearing good-will
+to all.
+
+[Illustration: “At the Head of a Long Table stood Helen Dayton”]
+
+The hum of conversation rose to a din as the young people laughed and
+chatted. All had been admiring the furnishings, which were indeed
+charming. There were some quaint old chairs which had belonged to
+Sandy’s father; a large family portrait hung on the wall above the
+fireplace; some beautiful old candlesticks in which bright tapers
+burned; and the evident delight of their guests charmed Sandy and his
+dear old wife.
+
+“Now, friends,” said Sandy, stepping forward, “ye ha’ all seen my
+Margaret, noo will ye walk this way and I’ll gie ye another surprise,”
+and he led the way to the end of the parlor, where he opened a door, and
+there at the head of a long table, spread with a feast such as no one in
+the village had ever seen, stood Helen Dayton.
+
+With a sharp cry of delight Randy ran to greet her, and was folded in
+Helen’s arms. Then every one crowded about Miss Dayton, and many were
+the questions with which she was plied.
+
+“I cannot answer all these questions,” she said with a merry laugh; “but
+I’ll tell you how I happened to be here again so soon. I hastened home,
+as many of you know, to see my Uncle Robert, who was to be in Boston but
+a few days, and on the day of his departure for the West I received the
+glad news of the wedding in a most delightful letter, which also
+contained a cordial invitation for me to be present and surprise you all
+to-night.”
+
+“We’re glad enough to see you again,” said Jotham Potts, and a chorus of
+voices echoed the boy’s frank speech.
+
+Then the feast began. Such a treat it was to Sandy’s neighbors and
+friends. The children were fairly wild with excitement. A giant wedding
+cake graced the centre of the table, and the beautiful frosting, with
+its garlands of flowers and little sugar cupids, delighted the children,
+who thought it the finest thing which they had ever seen.
+
+A huge platter of roast turkey on one end of the table, and one of roast
+goose on the other, proved very tempting; and a chicken pie with its
+fluted crust was not to be ignored.
+
+When these were removed, Sandy filled their places with huge fancy
+baskets of fruit; and still the candles burned and flickered, and the
+hum of merry voices filled the old house with gladness. At a late hour
+the happy party left, the neighbors, one and all, wishing the dear old
+couple every blessing, and promising to be as neighborly as their busy
+lives would permit.
+
+To Randy, Helen said: “I shall not run away this time without saying
+good-by. I will come to-morrow and spend a little time with you, and
+then you may go with me to the village, where I must take the train for
+home.”
+
+Bright and early on the following day, Randy was up, singing as she
+moved about the kitchen, as usual, trying to help.
+
+“She’s coming to-day, she’s coming to-day,” sang Prue, as she skipped
+about the room, and Randy’s heart joined gladly in the song.
+
+At that very moment Helen was coming up the walk, and as she tapped
+lightly at the door, Prue ran to let her in.
+
+How bright she looked in her cloth gown and trim jacket, her feather
+collar and bewitching hat. She took off her wraps, as Mrs. Weston
+suggested, and sat down to chat with Randy.
+
+“What is the news?” said Helen. “What has happened during my absence,
+Randy?”
+
+“Very little has happened,” said Randy, “only a few things. School is to
+open next week; that’s a week earlier than last year, and Mr. Lawton
+says he’ll keep his best room warm enough for us if it takes his whole
+woodpile.”
+
+“And I’m going to school,” said Prue, and she looked at Helen as if she
+expected to see that young lady stunned by such an announcement.
+
+“I’m going to study reading and rifm-tic,” she added, hoping to produce
+even more of an impression.
+
+Helen and Randy laughed, “I hope they will reserve ‘rifm-tic,’” said
+Helen, “until a little later.”
+
+“When there is snow,” said Randy, “we can coast on our sled down to Mr.
+Lawton’s house, without stopping; and although I’m pretty tall this
+winter, I think I shall coast just as I did last season, only this year
+Prue will sit behind me.”
+
+“And Jotham ’most always drags her home, so she don’t have to walk ’t
+all,” said Prue, anxious to tell all the particulars.
+
+“Randy is fortunate to have such an accommodating friend,” said Helen,
+“and now I have something to tell you. I have been helping my aunt to
+make some plans for the winter, and I have really found three days at
+the Christmas holidays for which I have made no engagements, and, if it
+will please you, Randy, I will give those days to you.”
+
+Mrs. Weston paused in her work to say, “We shall all be pleased to have
+you with us, and Randy will be wild until you come.”
+
+Helen had taken leave of Sandy and his wife at their home, so when
+Randy’s father brought the old horse and wagon to the door, she said
+good-by to Mrs. Weston and little Prue, and with Randy and her father
+rode to the depot at the centre.
+
+They arrived just a few moments before the train was due, and Helen and
+Randy walked up and down the platform, talking earnestly over the
+promised visit and the winter schooldays so soon to commence.
+
+“I shall think of you every day,” said Randy, “and I mean to study so
+hard this winter that some day, when I write, I shall be able to tell
+you that I am at the head of my class.”
+
+“That is right,” said Helen; “ambition and hard work will accomplish
+wonders.”
+
+Just then the whistle sounded, and soon the train came around the curve
+and stopped at the little station.
+
+Very gently Helen kissed Randy, saying, “Remember I shall soon be here
+again.”
+
+Then the train started, and through her tears Randy saw Helen’s
+beautiful, smiling face at the window. When the last car was out of
+sight, Randy turned toward her father a face which was a combination of
+smiles and tears.
+
+“Well, Randy,” said he, “which is it, laughing or crying?”
+
+“Both,” said Randy, “crying because I am sorry to have her go, and
+smiling because I know just when she will come again. And, now, father,
+I am going to tell you something. I mean to be the best scholar in
+school this year. I’d like to be able to talk and write as well as Miss
+Dayton does. I don’t suppose I could do that, but I will come as near as
+I can,” and Randy looked to her father for his approval.
+
+“That’s right, Randy, that’s right,” said her father, heartily, “and
+now, I’ll tell _you_ something. Sandy McLeod says that if Nathan Lawton
+gives the use of his best room for a schoolroom to the children, he
+isn’t going to have Nathan outdo him, so he’s offered a prize of a
+five-dollar gold piece to be given to the best scholar at the school
+this winter. I am glad that you spoke your mind before you knew about
+the prize. I’m willing you should try for it, but I’m glad to know that
+you intended to study before you had any idea of a prize to be won.”
+
+“I’ll make myself a good scholar,” said Randy, “and I’ll get the prize,
+too.” Randy never forgot that morning.
+
+Years after, the scene, in all its completeness, would rise before her
+with a perfection of detail that would for a moment startle her; the old
+mare leisurely crawling up the road toward home; the stone walls along
+the sides of the road, still covered with blackberry vines, their
+foliage russet-colored against the cold gray stones, and their thorny
+stems red in the October sunshine.
+
+Across the roads the fields were dry and dun-colored, but in places the
+grass was still green, and over all the bright blue sky with its
+floating clouds. Birds twittered in the tree-tops or flew in swirling
+lines above the sunny fields, and everywhere, although the trees were
+bare and the flowers gone, a feeling of gladness and cheer seemed
+present.
+
+Randy turned to speak to her father and found that he was looking
+curiously at her. “Oh, father,” said she, “I was just thinking that it
+seems as if everything was glad for some reason this morning. I don’t
+know how to tell you just how I feel, but the sky seems so bright, the
+birds are singing, and when I looked at you I thought that you looked
+glad too.”
+
+“Well, Randy, I see just what you mean. It is bright and glad and sunny
+to-day, and as to my looking glad, I think I ought to. I’ve got your
+mother, and Prue, and you, Randy, and I’ve got something more to be
+thankful for—something to be thankful to _you_ for.”
+
+“Thankful to _me_!” gasped Randy, in amazement.
+
+“Yes, Randy, yes. I got a letter last night. Ye know I went down to the
+centre after supper, and I didn’t get home ’til after you and Prue was
+in bed. Well, I wasn’t expecting to hear from anybody, special, and I
+never opened the letter ’til I’d put the cat out and fastened up. Then I
+thought of the letter and sat down at the table to read it. Yer mother
+was puttin’ the last stitches into a stockin’ she was mendin’ when I
+came to a place in the letter that made me hop. Mother came, and looking
+over my shoulder read the line I put my finger on.
+
+“Randy, do ye remember that day last summer when ye listened at the
+roadside to what Jason Meade was sayin’ ’bout makin’ me sell my pasture
+land to him? Do yer rec’lect how ye run ’til ye was ’bout beat out to
+reach me ’fore he could, and how ye begged me not to sell?”
+
+“Why, yes,” said Randy; then in sudden fear, “he didn’t make you, did
+he, father?”
+
+The girl’s wide open eyes looked anxiously up into his face as she
+grasped his arm and waited for an answer.
+
+“Make me! Well, I guess not! Randy, that letter was from the big
+railroad company, and, val’ble as I thought the land would be, they’ve
+offered me more’n I ever dreamed of. I shan’t be what city folks would
+call wealthy, but I’ll be ’stonishin’ well off. Your mother and I will
+be able to take things a little easier; and, Randy, you shall have all
+the schoolin’ ye want, and so shall little Prue. I’d ’bout made up my
+mind to let Meade have that land, he seemed to have set his mind on it;
+and I b’lieve I should have let him have it, ef you had gone on ter Mis’
+Gray’s and stopped to tea with Miss Dayton, as you intended. But for you
+my land would have been in Jason Meade’s hands, and I might ’a’ whistled
+fer it. You gave up your pleasure to do the right thing at the right
+time; as I said that day, I’ve got a daughter to be thankful for.”
+
+“Oh, father,” said Randy, “it seemed a little thing to do, but I was so
+anxious to reach you in time that I forgot everything else, even Miss
+Dayton and the tea at Mrs. Gray’s.”
+
+“Well, ye did yer duty, Randy, even when ye feared the men would find ye
+listening and be angry. Always be brave to do right, as ye did that
+time, and ye’ll make a fine woman.”
+
+Small wonder that Randy remembered that morning’s ride! The bright
+sunlight of her father’s commendation seemed to outshine nature’s
+sunshine. The thought that she had been instrumental in bringing good
+fortune to her parents, who had toiled early and late, filled Randy’s
+heart with a gladness which she would have found difficult to describe.
+
+Mr. Weston accepted the company’s offer for his land, and with their
+good fortune he and his wife seemed to have regained a bit of their
+youth; and they were never happier than when making plans for Randy and
+Prue or lending a helping hand to some friend or neighbor less fortunate
+than themselves.
+
+Randy still indulges in day-dreams which, at present, are filled with
+anticipations of schooldays so near at hand, and the winter’s pleasures
+which the boys and girls of the village are already planning; and when
+next we meet Randy and Prue, it will be in “Randy’s Winter.”
+
+
+
+
+AMERICAN GIRLS’ SERIES
+
+_Standard Copyright Books for Girls by American Authors_
+
+Thirty-five titles Each complete in itself.
+
+Uniform cloth binding
+
+New cover design
+
+Price per volume $1.00
+
+   1. Battles at Home By Mary G. Darling
+   2. Captain Molly By Mary A. Denison
+   3. Daisy Travers By Adelaide F. Samuels
+   4. Deerings of Medbury, The By Virginia F. Townsend
+   5. Her Friend’s Lover By Sophie May
+   6. Hollands, The By Virginia F. Townsend
+   7. In Trust By Amanda M. Douglas
+   8. In the World By Mary G. Darling
+   9. Into the Light By C. G. O.
+  10. It Came to Pass By Mary Farley Sanborn
+  11. Lottie Eames By Adelaide F. Samuels
+  12. May Martin and Other Tales of the Green Mountains
+      By Judge D. P. Thompson
+  13. Mills of Tuxbury By Virginia F. Townsend
+  14. Nellie Kinnard’s Kingdom By Amanda M. Douglas
+  15. Pretty Lucy Merwyn By Mary Lakeman
+  16. Rhoda Thornton’s Girlhood By Mary E. Pratt
+  17. Room for One More By Mrs. T. W. Higginson
+  18. Ruby Duke, A Story of Boarding School Life By Mrs. H. K. Potwin
+  19. Ruth Eliot’s Dream By Mary Lakeman
+  20. Seven Daughters By Amanda M. Douglas
+  21. Six in All By Virginia F. Townsend
+  22. Sweet and Twenty By Mary Farley Sanborn
+  23. Tatters By Beulah
+  24. Which, Right or Wrong? By Mary L. Moreland
+  25. Whom Kathie Married By Amanda M. Douglas
+  26. An American Girl Abroad By Adeline Trafton
+  27. Dorothy’s Experience By Adeline Trafton
+  28. Hester Strong’s Life Work By Mrs. S. A. Southworth
+  29. Hillsboro’ Farms, A Story for Girls By Sophia Dickinson Cobb
+  30. Sally Williams the Mountain Girl By Mrs. E. D. Cheney
+  31. ’Lisbeth Wilson: A Daughter of New Hampshire Hills
+      By Eliza Nelson Blair
+  32. Running to Waste By George M. Baker
+  33. Barbara Thayer: Her Glorious Career By Annie Jenness Miller
+  34. Katherine Earle By Adeline Trafton
+  35. In the King’s Country By Amanda M. Douglas
+
+LEE AND SHEPARD, Publishers,
+
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+
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+   4. Celesta, a Girl’s Book By Mrs. Martha E. Berry
+   5. Children of Amity Court By Louise C. Thurston
+   6. Cruise of the Dashaway or Katie Putnam’s Voyage By May Mannering
+   7. Daisy or the Fairy Spectacles By Caroline Snowden Guild
+   8. Fine Feathers do not make Fine Birds By Kate J. Neely
+   9. Great Rosy Diamond By Ann Augusta Carter
+  10. Going on a Mission By Paul Cobden
+  11. Handsome is that Handsome does By Mrs. M. E. Bradley
+  12. How Eva Roberts gained her Education By Louise C. Thurston
+  13. Little Maid of Oxbow By May Mannering
+  14. Little Blossom’s Reward By Emily Hare
+  15. Thousand a Year By Mrs. M. E. Bruce
+  16. May Coverly, A Story for Girls
+  17. Minnie or the Little Woman
+  18. Nettie’s Trial By Mrs. S. B. C. Samuels
+  19. One Good Turn deserves Another By Kate J. Neely
+  20. Pinks and Blues or the Orphan Asylum By Mrs. Rosa Abbott Parker
+  21. Shipwrecked Girl or Adele By Mrs. S. B. C. Samuels
+  22. Take a Peep By Paul Cobden
+  23. Upside Down or Will and Work By Rosa Abbott Parker
+  24. Violet, a Fairy Story
+  25. Wrong Confessed is Half Redressed By Mrs. M. E. Bradley
+
+
+
+
+Betty Seldon, Patriot
+
+_A Revolutionary Tale for Girls_
+
+By ADELE E. THOMPSON, Author of “Beck’s Fortune.”
+
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+
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+
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+Connecticut girl, happily as industrious and filial as she is
+attractive. Her devotion to her father, a captain in the Continental
+army, and her experience with a Tory uncle, who appears upon the
+supposed death of her father and takes her to his home in Pennsylvania,
+pretending to be her guardian, form the basis of the book. Historical
+events are accurately traced leading up to the surrender of Cornwallis
+at Yorktown, with reunion and happiness for all who deserve it. Betty is
+worth a thousand of the fickle coquette heroines of some latter-day
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+effective.
+
+LEE AND SHEPARD, Publishers,
+
+BOSTON
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Randy's Summer, by Amy Brooks
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+<head>
+    <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" />
+    <meta content="Randy’s Summer" name="DC.Title"/>
+    <meta content="Amy Brooks" name="DC.Creator"/>
+    <meta content="en" name="DC.Language"/>
+    <meta content="1902" name="DC.Created"/>
+    <meta name="generator" content="ppgen (1.13) generated Jun 14, 2011 08:01 PM" />
+    <title>Randy’s Summer</title>
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+        p                       {margin-top:1ex; margin-bottom:0; text-align:justify;}
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+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Randy's Summer, by Amy Brooks
+
+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: Randy's Summer
+       A Story for Girls
+
+Author: Amy Brooks
+
+Release Date: June 15, 2011 [EBook #36429]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RANDY'S SUMMER ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<p><span style='font-weight:bold;'>Popular Stories</span></p>
+<p>By AMY BROOKS.</p>
+<p>Each Beautifully Illustrated by the Author.</p>
+<p>&#160;</p>
+<p><span style='font-weight:bold;'>The Randy Books.</span></p>
+<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>THREE VOLUMES READY. 12MO. CLOTH.</span></p>
+<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>STRIKING COVER DESIGN BY THE AUTHOR.</span></p>
+</div>
+<table class='c' summary='centered block'><tr><td>
+<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>RANDY’S&#160;SUMMER.&#160;Price&#160;$1.00</p>
+<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>RANDY’S&#160;WINTER.&#160;Price&#160;1.00</p>
+<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>RANDY&#160;AND&#160;HER&#160;FRIENDS.&#160;Price&#160;80&#160;cents,&#160;<i>net</i></p>
+</td></tr></table>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<div class='center'>
+<p><span style='font-weight:bold;'>For Younger Readers.</span></p>
+<p>A JOLLY CAT TALE. Large 12mo. Cloth.</p>
+<p>Profusely Illustrated. Price $1.00</p>
+<p>DOROTHY DAINTY. Large 12mo. Cloth.</p>
+<p>Cover Design by the Author. Set in large English type.</p>
+<p>Price 80 cents, <i>net</i></p>
+</div>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<div><a name='ffpc' id='ffpc'></a></div>
+<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='i001' id='i001'></a>
+<img src="images/illus-fpc.jpg" alt="“With the Book upon her Lap, and one Arm around her Little Sister” Page 24" title=""/><br />
+<span class='caption'>“With the Book upon her Lap, and one Arm<br/>around her Little Sister” Page 24</span>
+</div>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<div class='center'>
+<p><span style='font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;'>RANDY’S SUMMER</span></p>
+<p>&#160;</p>
+<p><i>A STORY FOR GIRLS</i></p>
+<p>&#160;</p>
+<p>BY</p>
+<p>&#160;</p>
+<p><span style='font-size:larger;'>AMY BROOKS</span></p>
+<p>&#160;</p>
+<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'><i>WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE AUTHOR</i></span></p>
+<p>&#160;</p>
+<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>BOSTON</span></p>
+<p>LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS</p>
+<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>1902</span></p>
+</div>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<div class='center'>
+<p><span class='sc'>Copyright, 1900, by Lee and Shepard.</span></p>
+<p><em>All Rights Reserved.</em></p>
+<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>RANDY’S SUMMER.</span></p>
+<p>&#160;</p>
+<p>Norwood Press</p>
+<p>J. S. Cushing &amp; Co.—Berwick &amp; Smith</p>
+<p>Norwood Mass. U.S.A.</p>
+</div>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<div class='center'>
+<p><span style='font-size:larger;'>CONTENTS</span></p>
+</div>
+<table class='c' summary='table of contents'>
+<tr><td style='font-size:smaller'>CHAPTER</td><td></td><td style='font-size:smaller'>PAGE</td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>I</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Randy and the Fairy Tales</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chI'>1</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>II</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>At the Brook</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chII'>16</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>III</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Randy at Church</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chIII'>37</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>IV</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Prue’s Mishap</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chIV'>52</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>V</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Helen Dayton’s Call</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chV'>70</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>VI</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Picnic</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chVI'>88</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>VII</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Randy Outwits Jason Meade</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chVII'>111</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>VIII</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Tableaux</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chVIII'>124</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>IX</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Callers</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chIX'>146</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>X</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Apple-Bee</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chX'>173</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XI</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>An Unexpected Visitor</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXI'>199</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XII</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Wedding Feast</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXII'>218</a></td></tr>
+</table>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<div class='center'>
+<p><span style='font-size:larger;'>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</span></p>
+</div>
+<table class='c' summary='loi'>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:1em;'>“With the book upon her lap, and one arm around her little sister”</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#ffpc'>Frontispiece</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:1em;'>Randy and Prue started for the brook</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#f023'>23</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:1em;'>Prue counts the daisies on Miss Dayton’s hat</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#f046'>46</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:1em;'>Randy carrying Prue in her arms</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#f058'>58</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:1em;'>On the way to the picnic</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#f098'>98</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:1em;'>“Nearer to the wall she crept”</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#f115'>115</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:1em;'>“There stood Randy as the demure little maid”</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#f139'>139</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:1em;'>Prue and Tabby reading the Fairy Book</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#f170'>170</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:1em;'>“‘Why don’t you send the little girl a letter?’”</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#f191'>191</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:1em;'>“At the head of a long table stood Helen Dayton”</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#f225'>225</a></td></tr>
+</table>
+<h1><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_1'></a>1</span>RANDY’S SUMMER</h1>
+<h2><a name='chI' id='chI'></a>CHAPTER I—RANDY AND THE FAIRY TALES</h2>
+<p>
+“Randy! Randy! where are you?” came
+in shrill, high-pitched tones from the
+kitchen.
+</p>
+<p>
+The girl on the wooden seat just outside
+the door neither moved nor heeded, so engrossed
+in her book was she.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Ran-dee!” This time there was a rising
+inflection on the last syllable. Slowly
+the girl’s forefinger followed along the
+line which she was reading. A quick step
+across the kitchen, and a tall, angular
+woman appeared in the doorway, wiping
+her hands on her blue-checked apron.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, Randy Weston! Here I’ve been
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_2'></a>2</span>
+callin’ and callin’ to you, and you’re right
+here at the door and never heard at all,
+I’ll warrant you. What’s that you’re
+readin’?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, mother, I’m sorry I didn’t hear
+you,” said Randy, her face still aglow
+with the thought of the fascinating tale;
+“but the story was so wonderful that I
+never knew you called me.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Must have been wonderful,” said Mrs.
+Weston, smiling. “What sort of a book
+is it, and where did you get it?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, it’s the one I told you I found
+in the field back of the barn,” said Randy.
+“It’s all about kings and queens, and
+princes and fairies, and goblins, and oh,
+it’s just the most wonderful book you
+ever saw!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I hope it’s a <em>good</em> book,” said Mrs.
+Weston, doubtfully; “it sounds kind of
+outlandish, and I know one thing, I never
+have to call twice when I give you ‘Pilgrim’s
+Progress’ or Fox’s ‘Book of Martyrs’
+to read.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_3'></a>3</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“But, mother, just see the pictures!
+Here’s the one that shows when the
+prince rode on the horse which was shod
+with golden shoes, and could run faster
+than the wind!”
+</p>
+<p>
+That was too much for practical Mrs.
+Weston.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Look here, Randy, that’ll do! That
+shows what kind of a book it is. Who
+ever heard of shoeing a horse with gold!
+Land knows it costs enough to shoe them
+with iron; and as for running faster than
+the wind, why, anybody’d know better.
+You give me the book till I ask your
+father what he thinks of it. I’ll put it up
+on the mantel, back of the clock, and show
+it to him to-night and see what he says.”
+</p>
+<p>
+As Mrs. Weston usually meant what she
+said, Randy was forced to submit; but she
+could not help thinking it a trial to have
+to do without the wonderful book until her
+father should have time to read it.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now,” said Mrs. Weston, “come in and
+help me make these pies.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_4'></a>4</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, yes,” said the girl; while she
+thought, “What a change from the prince’s
+castle to the hot kitchen and apple pies!”
+However, she was a thoughtful girl, and
+seeing a tired look on her mother’s face,
+she took a big yellow dish on her lap, and
+grasping a knife began to pare apples as if
+her life depended upon it.
+</p>
+<p>
+The first she pared rapidly and deftly,
+the next one took her a little longer, and
+the sixth she held in one hand while the
+knife lay idly in the other, as she gazed out
+of the window, wondering if the hot, sunny
+road which led to the village could be at
+all like the high-road over which the king’s
+huntsmen returned to the castle.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Randy Weston! I thought you was
+parin’ apples! Bring the dish here and
+we’ll finish them together. At that rate
+you wouldn’t get them done in a month!”
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy started. “Oh, dear! I meant to
+have peeled them in no time,” said she.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, never mind,” said her mother;
+“we’ll do them together, and then you can
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_5'></a>5</span>
+get out the things for me to make the crust
+with.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Soon the apples were pared, cored, and
+sliced, and away Randy hurried to the
+closet, getting the sifter, sugar-bucket and
+rolling pin, the spice box, and last of all, a
+lot of plates.
+</p>
+<p>
+Running back to the closet she brought
+out the lard and began to grease the plates
+in furious haste, so determined was she to
+show her mother that she was really willing
+to be helpful. How she admired the
+deft manner in which her mother rolled out
+the crust, stretched it over the plate, and
+inserted her knuckles to make it fit the
+hollow of the dish.
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy watched her as, balancing the
+crust-covered plate on her left hand, she
+swept the knife which she held in her
+right swiftly around the edge of the plate,
+trimming off the extra crust.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I wish I could make pies as quick as
+you can,” said the girl, “and have them
+turn out right every time, too.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_6'></a>6</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Mrs. Weston smiled at the compliment
+so earnestly expressed.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Mebbe you can, when you’ve made as
+many as I have,” said she.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now get the broom, Randy, and sweep
+up the flour I spilled ’round the table and
+put the apple peels in the bucket, while I
+commence to wash up the cookin’ dishes.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy got the broom and began to sweep
+vigorously. “I wonder,” thought the girl,
+“if princesses have to bake pies, and wash
+dishes, and sweep hot kitchens.” She could
+not remember of any mention being made
+of either pies or kitchens in the fairy tales
+which she had been reading, so she concluded
+that in those delightful days no
+such things existed.
+</p>
+<p>
+“They <em>must</em> have had pies,” she said to
+herself, “so p’r’aps they had somebody to
+bake for them, same’s Mrs. Hodgkins has
+Sophrony Brown to help her about the
+housework.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Sophrony Brown doesn’t look ’s if she
+belonged in a castle, even to stay in the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_7'></a>7</span>
+kitchen, if it had one,” thought Randy.
+“Her hair’s red, and so are her hands, and
+they’re awful big, too. Everybody in that
+splendid book was handsome, and they all
+had little white hands and tiny feet, too.”
+Here she stopped and took a long survey
+of her own feet, encased in coarse, cowhide
+boots, with leather lacings.
+</p>
+<p>
+“The shoes and slippers in the pictures,”
+mused Randy, “have beautiful bows on the
+toes, and they have tiny little heels. I
+wonder how they ever managed to walk on
+them.” So still she stood, looking down
+at her shoes, the broom held listlessly in
+her hand, that her mother turned to see
+where she had gone.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, Randy Weston, what ails you?
+You’ve been mooning ’round all this morning.
+You do try to help me real good, and
+then, first thing I know, you’re miles away
+thinkin’ of something or other. I say,
+whatever ails you?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Nothing,” said Randy, “I was only wondering
+about the fairy tales in the book.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_8'></a>8</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, more’n ever I think it can’t be a
+good kind o’ book to read, that makes a
+good, sensible girl so took up with it that
+she can’t think of anything else.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“But if father says it’s all right, I can
+read it, can’t I?” said Randy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I suppose so,” said the tired woman.
+“Now go and find Prue. Like enough
+she’s into something by this time.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Little Prue had a positive talent for inventing
+mischief, and as Randy hastened to
+the door to call her, she remembered that
+the little sister had had at least an hour
+in which to play without supervision. “I
+do hope,” said Randy, “that she hasn’t
+torn her dress or lost her sunbonnet while
+I’ve been helping mother with the cooking.
+I’ll call first, and if she don’t answer, then
+I’ll hunt for her.” So, standing in the
+doorway, she called long and loudly.
+</p>
+<p>
+Such a pretty picture Randy made, all
+the sweeter because she never dreamed that
+she possessed the beauty of which she read
+in the fairy book, and for which she so
+ardently longed.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_9'></a>9</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+The kitchen doorway was low, and up
+on one side grew scarlet runners, which
+over the top clasped tendrils with the morning
+glories as they clambered up the other
+side of the door-frame and half covered the
+kitchen window.
+</p>
+<p>
+The cool wind from across the meadow
+fanned Randy’s flushed cheeks, and tossed
+back some short brown ringlets from her
+forehead, for Randy’s hair would curl, as
+she said, “spite of anything.” She did her
+best with brush and comb to make it lie
+smoothly, but the short ends flew back
+every time, and curled and rippled in a
+manner which would have been the envy
+of many a city girl who was a slave to
+“curlers.” Her hair was a soft, light
+brown, and her eyes were large and gray,
+bright and twinkling. She was quite tall
+for a girl of her age, just fifteen that summer,
+and she stood as “straight as a birch,”
+her father said.
+</p>
+<p>
+Her plain calico gown and coarse apron
+could not hide her trim figure; and, judging by her
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_10'></a>10</span>
+small, shapely hands, and slender
+fingers, one would say that with dainty
+boots instead of cowhides, her feet would
+be as shapely as her hands. But Randy
+had never thought much about beauty or
+personal adornment until the finding of the
+wonderful fairy book. She had been dressed
+like the other children in that little country
+town, and had never seen a fashion book or
+a stylishly dressed person in her life. Mrs.
+Weston had taught her children to think
+that to be neat and clean was to be well
+dressed, and certainly Randy and Prue
+were always dressed in clean gowns and
+aprons, and stiff-starched sunbonnets. Yes,
+Randy was more than pretty. Would she
+one day know it?
+</p>
+<p>
+Long and patient calling brought no answering
+shout from little Prue, so Randy
+snatched her sunbonnet from its peg on
+the wall, and started in search of her.
+She looked in every place, both possible
+and impossible, and she laughed as she
+thought of the funny scrapes the little
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_11'></a>11</span>
+sister had gotten into. She thought of the
+day on which their aunt, Miss Prudence
+Weston, had come to visit them, bringing
+three bags and as many bundles, although
+she was to stay but a week.
+</p>
+<p>
+She had always lived in a little town in
+one of the Western states, and as that
+week’s stay was her first visit to her brother’s
+home, she was really a stranger to
+Randy and Prue. The children had known
+only that little Prue was her namesake,
+and that she was a person well-nigh perfect.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Your Aunt Prudence never did that,”
+was a remark so frequently addressed to
+little Prue that that lively, mischievous
+little being conceived a great dislike for so
+perfect a person; and, although she dared
+not say so to either father or mother, she
+confessed it freely to Randy when at night
+they lay in their little bed in the chamber
+under the eaves.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I think it would be just horrid to live
+in this house if Aunt Prudence lived here
+too, don’t you, Randy?” said little Prue
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_12'></a>12</span>
+in a loud whisper. “You’re good, Randy,
+and you know I love you, but you can be
+naughty and Aunt Prudence can’t, that’s
+the difference.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, hush!” Randy had said. “I most
+think it’s naughty not to like her. We
+don’t know but may be she’s real nice if
+we knew her.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Don’t want to,” whispered Prue, “don’t
+want to, <em>ever</em>. If she staid here I’d—I
+mean I’d—” but the tired little sister had
+gone fast asleep and left Randy to wonder
+just what she would have done.
+</p>
+<p>
+Immediately upon her arrival Miss Prudence
+had removed her wraps, and had at
+once taken out her knitting from a voluminous
+pocket, saying to the two staring
+children, as she peered at them over her
+glasses, “It’s not right to waste time,” and
+as soon as they had made their escape to
+the kitchen, naughty little Prue had said,
+“Randy Weston! If keeping busy would
+make me look like that, I’d just do nothing
+forever and ever.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_13'></a>13</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Funny little Prue! Aunt Prudence’s
+sharp eyes behind her spectacles, her
+“false front,” and tall, angular figure,
+had strengthened the child’s preconceived
+dislike. Then that day before their aunt
+had bidden adieu to the Weston farm,
+Randy had caught Prue perched upon a
+chair, which made her just high enough
+to see herself in the glass. On her head
+was Miss Prudence’s best cap, on her saucy
+little nose the big, old-fashioned spectacles,
+over which she peered at herself, saying,
+in imitation of her aunt, “I never waste
+time, no, not a single minute.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy had escaped to the barn where,
+on the hay, she had laughed until she was
+tired; all the time feeling guilty, for she
+knew that, funny as the sight had been,
+Prue had been very naughty. Prue was
+a little captive in the house that afternoon,
+a great trial for her, and at night
+her father had talked with her and told
+her that she must always be kind to every
+one, especially to old people, and Prue had
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_14'></a>14</span>
+promised, at the same time saying that, “if
+Aunt Prudence was always good, it was
+easier for grown-up people to be good.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Around the house and barn, down by the
+well, and, lastly, into the barn went Randy,
+calling, “Prue! Prue! where are you?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Here!” called a little voice.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Where?” shouted Randy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Up here!” came the answer, which
+appeared to come from the loft.
+</p>
+<p>
+Up the ladder went Randy, and, once at
+the top, she espied a funny little figure
+sitting on the hay. “Why, Prue,” said
+Randy, “what are you doing up here?
+Why didn’t you come when I called?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I couldn’t,” said Prue; “I’m helping
+mother, and I’ve got to stay. Mother said
+you could help her make pies, so I came
+up here and I’m sitting on some eggs. The
+old hen’s left them, and mother said they’d
+just got to be set on.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, Prue!” said Randy, “you’d ought
+to know better. If you’ve smashed them,
+won’t you be a sight?”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_15'></a>15</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“I ain’t smashed them,” said the child;
+but upon Randy’s insisting, she rose from
+the nest, only to show that not an egg
+remained whole, as her pink calico dress
+plainly showed.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, <em>I</em> never got into such scrapes,”
+said Randy, for once out of patience.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now, Randy,” said Prue, “don’t you
+talk that way; that’s just like Aunt Prudence;”
+and that silenced Randy completely.
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy’s first thought was a longing to
+shield Prue, but she knew that her mother
+wished them always to come to her at once
+when any mischief had been done, so, a forlorn
+little procession of two, they walked
+toward the house.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_16'></a>16</span><a name='chII' id='chII'></a>CHAPTER II—AT THE BROOK</h2>
+<p>
+The next morning dawned bright and
+fair. Randy awoke and rubbed her eyes.
+“I believe there was something that made
+me uncomfortable yesterday. Wonder what
+it was?” thought she. “Don’t see what it
+could have been,” mused the girl, half
+awake. “I helped mother with the baking
+and swept the kitchen for her, because I
+knew I ought to, instead of reading that
+fairy book. Then I hunted for Prue.—Oh,
+that’s it! mother had to scold her, and
+that always makes me feel just awful.
+</p>
+<p>
+“She was naughty, and seems ’s if she
+might know better than to get into such
+queer scrapes, though she isn’t much more
+than a baby.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Here Randy turned over and looked at
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_17'></a>17</span>
+her little sister, who was still fast asleep.
+“How pretty she looks!” said Randy, half
+aloud. The sleeping child stirred, and
+thrust one chubby arm and hand under her
+short curls. She drew a long breath, which
+was half a sigh, her eyelids quivered, opened,
+closed, then opened wide, and she stared at
+Randy, who, leaning upon her elbow, was
+gazing at little Prue.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, Randy! what are you looking at
+and thinking of?” said Prue, half laughing.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I was just thinking,” said Randy, “that
+when you’re asleep you don’t look as if you
+could ever be naughty.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Prue stopped laughing, and, putting her
+arm around her sister’s neck, she said, “Oh,
+Randy! I never mean to, and ’most always
+when I’m naughty it’s when I’m trying to
+help. Don’t you know that time when I
+dropped the platter and broke it all to
+smash? Mother put down the towel she
+was wiping it with to look in the oven to
+see if the bread was burning. I thought
+I’d s’prise you and mother, and show you
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_18'></a>18</span>
+I’d wiped the big platter nice and dry. Just
+a minute before, mother said it was too big
+for me to handle, and that just made me
+want to.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I know it,” said Randy, “I know you
+mean to be good, and I do believe you can’t
+help doing funny things, you best little
+sister in all the world,” and she kissed
+Prue, laughing at her at the same time.
+“Now, do be good to-day, and, if you don’t
+do a naughty thing before dinner, I’ll do
+something splendid. I’ll have to help
+mother this morning, and do a lot of
+things. Then, of course, I’ll wipe the dinner
+dishes, and after that you and I will go
+down to that shady place by the brook, and
+I’ll tell you some of the stories I read in
+that book I found.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, will you?” said Prue, “can you
+’member them?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes, some of them; I can’t remember
+all of them yet,” said Randy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why don’t you take the book and read
+them?” said Prue.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_19'></a>19</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Because,” said Randy, “father’s got to
+look it over and see if it’s a good book first,
+mother says.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why isn’t he ’fraid to read it, if
+p’r’aps, it isn’t good?” said the child, with
+such a funny expression on her face that
+Randy, who really did not know how to
+answer such a question, laughed, and said
+she thought it must be time to dress.
+</p>
+<p>
+Up sprang little Prue, and out upon the
+floor. “You dress me first,” said she. So
+Randy put on the little one’s shoes and
+stockings, then, piece by piece, her other
+little garments, all the time silently admiring
+the round, dimpled arms, the roguish
+eyes, and tangle of short curls, and the
+sweet little mouth, honestly believing that
+no girl in all the world had so dear
+a little sister. Just as Randy turned to
+button the little dress, Prue uttered a joyous
+cry, and darted over to the window.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, come quick, quick!” she called.
+“See the butterfly almost coming in our
+window.” And sure enough, when Randy
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_20'></a>20</span>
+reached the window, there he was, a gorgeous
+fellow, with bright, golden wings,
+swinging up and down over a fresh rose-colored
+morning-glory.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh!” cried Prue, “isn’t it the handsomest
+butterfly you ever saw?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes, and look at the dewdrops on
+the pink morning-glory,” said imaginative
+Randy; “I wonder if the necklace that the
+fairy queen wore looked as bright as that?
+In the picture in the book it looks just like
+strings and strings of beads.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I liked the beads and her dress, with a
+long train to it; but in the picture she
+didn’t have a nice face ’t all,” said Prue,
+the young critic.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, but she was bea-utiful,” said Randy.
+“She must have been, the story said so,”
+but just here Randy’s raptures over the
+heroine of the fairy tale were cut short by
+a loud call of “Randy! Randy! Prue! it’s
+time to come downstairs!”
+</p>
+<p>
+So Randy hurried on her own clothing,
+and Prue amused herself while waiting by
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_21'></a>21</span>
+counting the buttons on Randy’s best gingham
+dress as it hung on the first hook in
+the closet, and this is the way she half said
+and half sung it:—
+</p>
+<p>
+“Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief,
+doctor, lawyer,—Randy, what’s a lawyer?
+Your last button is a lawyer.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I don’t know,” said Randy; “ask
+father;” but when they had reached the
+lowest stair and entered the kitchen Prue
+had forgotten her question and asked another.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Father,” she cried, “have you read the
+book yet? Are you going to let Randy
+read it? the fairy book, I mean?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Two questions in one,” said Mr. Weston,
+laughing. “Why, yes, I guess I’ll have to
+let her read it, if she wants to,” said he.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Going to let Randy read those outlandish
+tales?” said Mrs. Weston coming out
+of the closet with a pie in her hand, which
+she placed upon the table. “Why there
+wasn’t a word of truth in them.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I know it,” said her husband, smiling,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_22'></a>22</span>
+“but I didn’t see anything wrong about
+them, and the yarns that are in the book
+are so big that no sensible girl, like our
+Randy, would s’pose she was expected to
+believe them a minute. I looked it over
+last night after I’d thought over that piece
+of medder land of Jason Meade’s that he
+wants to swap for my little pasture, and
+cal-lated ’bout what the bargain was worth.
+I just took down that fairy book from
+behind the clock, and I thought I’d just
+look it over to see if it was all right for
+Randy and Prue, and, if you’d believe me,
+’fore I knew it, I was ’most as interested
+as the children was. As you say, there
+ain’t any sense in it, but it reads kinder
+fine, I must say.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Mrs. Weston laughed, and said that she
+was willing enough to let them have it if
+the book was all right.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Right enough,” rejoined her husband,
+“only kind of foolish,” and smiling at the
+children’s eager faces he said kindly, “Read
+it if you like, only don’t let it make you
+forget to help mother, Randy.”
+</p>
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_23'></a>23</span></div>
+<div><a name='f023' id='f023'></a></div>
+<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='i002' id='i002'></a>
+<img src="images/illus-023.jpg" alt="Randy and Prue started for the Brook" title=""/><br />
+<span class='caption'>Randy and Prue started for the Brook</span>
+</div>
+<p>
+“Randy don’t often forget that,” said
+Mrs. Weston, at which unwonted bit of
+praise, Randy flushed with delight.
+</p>
+<p>
+Mrs. Weston was a hard-working woman
+who loved her husband and children dearly,
+but so busy was she, that she forgot to say
+the encouraging word, or give the bit of
+praise, justly won, which seems a reward
+to the husband for his care and toil, and to
+the child for “being good.”
+</p>
+<p>
+When the hot forenoon’s work was done,
+and the dinner dishes put away, Randy and
+Prue started for the brook, Randy carrying
+the wonderful book very carefully, and little
+Prue skipping along beside her. Across
+the fields, behind the barn, into a bit of
+woodland went the children, and there they
+found the brook, calm and placid in one
+place, rippling and chattering in another.
+“Hark! hear it talk,” said Randy, but practical
+little Prue said, “It only says ‘wobble,
+wobble, wobble,’ as it goes over the stones,
+and I don’t call that talking.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, I do,” said Randy, “and I always
+wonder what it says.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_24'></a>24</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“How’ll you find out?” said Prue.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, Prue!” said Randy, “what makes
+you ask questions that nobody could answer?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“But somebody could,” said the child;
+“if it really says anything, somebody, somewhere,
+would know what it means, now
+wouldn’t they, Randy?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I do believe there is some one who
+could understand it.” Randy spoke so
+earnestly that Prue stopped throwing pebbles
+at the water-spiders and throwing her
+arms around Randy, she said, “Oh, Randy!
+don’t look that way. When your eyes
+get big, and you just think and think, it
+makes me lonesome. Do begin to read
+the fairy stories.”
+</p>
+<p>
+So Randy roused herself from her dream
+about the brook, and sat down, with Prue
+close beside her, on a rough plank which
+spanned the tiny stream. There, with the
+book upon her lap, and one arm around her
+little sister, she read the tales of wonder
+and enchantment, while the sunlight, sifting through
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_25'></a>25</span>
+the leaves, touched her hair
+and made a halo around the sweet face.
+Parts of the stories were too much for little
+Prue to understand, but such of them as
+her small brain could take in delighted her.
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy read very well, although she had
+had but little schooling, and her delight
+in the splendor which the stories described
+gave added expression to her reading, and
+delighted little Prue exclaimed, “Oh, Randy,
+you make it seem as if it was true!”
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy laughed, well pleased with the compliment,
+and continued reading: “‘And as
+soon as she heard the witch’s voice, she unbound
+her tresses.’”
+</p>
+<p>
+“What’s ‘tresses’?” interrupted Prue.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, hair,” explained Randy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Then, why didn’t they say ‘hair’?”
+said the child.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Tresses sounds nicer,” answered Randy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I don’t know,” said Prue, doubtfully.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, I do,” said Randy. “If my hair
+was long, I’d enough rather have it called
+tresses.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_26'></a>26</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ll call it tresses,” said obliging little
+Prue, “even if it isn’t very long. Now, go
+on, Randy.”
+</p>
+<p>
+So Randy continued: “‘She unbound
+her tresses, and they fell down twenty ells,
+and the witch mounted up by them.’”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, my, my!” interrupted Prue, “your
+hair’s longer’n that!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Longer than what?” said the astonished
+Randy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Twenty ells,” said Prue. “When you
+showed me the other day how to print a
+L, it wasn’t very big. Would twenty of
+’em be so very much? Your hair is most
+down to your waist, when I stretch the
+ends out so they don’t curl.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“O you funny child!” said Randy, half
+laughing, half impatient. “It doesn’t mean
+that kind of ell. What’s the use of reading
+the stories? You ask so many questions,
+I don’t believe you half hear them.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, I do truly want to hear the stories,
+and if you’ll only read, I won’t ask a question,
+’less it’s something I can’t make out.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_27'></a>27</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Again Randy found the place, and for
+some time the story went on without interruption.
+Once they paused to see the
+picture of the lovely girl in the tower, then
+Randy went on:—
+</p>
+<p>
+“‘The king’s son wished to ascend to her,
+and looked for a door in the tower, but he
+could not find one. So he rode home, but
+the song which she had sung had touched
+his heart so much that he went every day
+to the forest and listened to it. As he thus
+stood one day behind a tree, he saw the
+witch come up and heard her call out:—
+</p>
+<p>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“‘Rapunzel,&nbsp;&nbsp;Rapunzel,<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Let&nbsp;&nbsp;down&nbsp;&nbsp;your&nbsp;&nbsp;hair.’<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+“‘Then Rapunzel let down her tresses, and
+the witch mounted up.’”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, Randy!” cried Prue, excitedly,
+“why, didn’t it ’most pull her head off?”
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy laughed. “O Prue, Prue!” she
+said, “I do believe you think of the funniest
+questions to ask.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“But, Randy, do you b’lieve it didn’t
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_28'></a>28</span>
+pull like everything?” And Prue’s eyes
+were round with wonder.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh!” said Randy, “don’t you know
+that father said we wouldn’t be expected
+to believe the stories, only just enjoy them?”
+But the little girl looked bewildered; so,
+closing the book, Randy sought other means
+to amuse her. “Let’s play this is a beautiful
+bridge, this plank we’re sitting on, and
+this brook, a great big river,” said Randy,
+“and we’re princesses waiting for a prince
+to come and save us—I mean rescue us,”
+she corrected.
+</p>
+<p>
+Again little Prue showed her lack of
+imagination. “Save us from what?” said
+she.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, dragons that live in this big, roaring
+river.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“It don’t roar much,” said Prue, doubtfully;
+“but,” she added, “we can play it
+does.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Thus encouraged, Randy went on, giving
+her fancy full play. “And that pretty
+green branch overhead, with sun on the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_29'></a>29</span>
+leaves, that’s an arch of flowers such as the
+princess rode under in another story.”
+</p>
+<p>
+That was too much for Prue. “But,
+Randy!” she exclaimed, “there isn’t a
+blossom on it. If we were princesses,
+Randy, I could love you just the same,
+couldn’t I?” questioned Prue, looking up
+at her sister with eager eyes.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Of course you could,” said Randy, giving
+Prue a hug, who thus assured began to
+hum a little tune, swinging her legs to keep
+time with her singing. They made a pretty
+picture, Randy with her arm still about the
+little sister, Prue nestling as close as possible
+to Randy, and in the brook below a reflection
+showing the two children. Randy was
+looking off as if for the coming of the
+prince, while little Prue, becoming drowsy,
+laid her head against her sister.
+</p>
+<p>
+Suddenly Prue started: “S’pose that’s
+the prince?” said she, as a low, merry
+whistle sounded through the woods. Randy
+looked toward the opening, then her laugh
+rang out. “Oh, Prue,” said she, “it’s ’Bijah
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_30'></a>30</span>
+Bowstock, the deacon’s hired man, going
+after the cows. Just look at him!” she
+added. And Prue looked.
+</p>
+<p>
+Little enough like the prince in the fairy
+book looked he! An old straw hat upon the
+back of his head, a blue “jumper,” and a
+pair of overalls tucked into his boots, completed
+his costume. He did not see Randy
+and Prue as he passed through the woods
+to a path far beyond the brook, whisking
+off the blossoms with his switch as he went
+along.
+</p>
+<p>
+“His clothes wasn’t the kind the prince
+wore in the picture, was they, Randy?”
+said Prue, when ’Bijah was out of sight.
+“In the picture in the fairy book they wear
+such long, long stockings way over their
+knees, and hats with feathers in them, and
+everything,” said Prue, intending thus to
+supply all the details of costume which she
+might possibly have omitted.
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy made no answer. Little Prue felt
+as many a grown person does, that the
+clothes made the man; but Randy, thoughtful Randy,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_31'></a>31</span>
+felt that, given all the fine raiment,
+’Bijah never could have even <em>looked</em>
+the prince.
+</p>
+<p>
+Little Prue edged her way along the
+plank on which they sat, and at last succeeded
+in slipping off from the end of the
+board down to the edge of the brook.
+There she found bits of bark which she
+freighted with moss, and then floated them
+down the tiny stream.
+</p>
+<p>
+The little crafts, aided by a gentle push,
+floated out into a placid little pool just
+under Randy’s feet. For an instant they
+paused, wavered, then turning about they
+flew over the miniature rapids, made there
+by three small stones below the surface,
+then sailed around a bend in the brook and
+disappeared behind a clump of brakes growing
+at the foot of an alder.
+</p>
+<p>
+Sometimes the tiny boats foundered, and
+the passengers were tipped out into the
+stream, but little Prue found other bits of
+bark for the boats and gaily loaded them
+with moss for more passengers.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_32'></a>32</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Look, Randy! Look!” screamed Prue,
+“there’s a fine new boat just under your
+feet. The gray moss is mens, and the moss
+with the red tops is womens. The red is
+their bonnets. Randy, Randy! why don’t
+you hear me when I’m close to you?”
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy shook herself and sat upright,
+laughing. “I did hear you,” she said,
+“only I didn’t think to answer. I guess I
+was dreaming.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, don’t dream in the daytime!”
+said Prue; “I’ve sent lots and lots of pretty
+boats down the stream, and I kept telling
+you to look, and now I don’t believe you’ve
+seen one of them.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, yes, I have,” said Randy, “only I
+was so busy thinking that I didn’t say anything
+about them. Come, we’ll sail a few
+boats together, and then I guess we’d better
+go home.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Prue was delighted, and to reward Randy
+for agreeing to play with her, she hunted
+with all her might for finer pieces of bark
+and choicer bits of moss, and gay indeed
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_33'></a>33</span>
+was the little fleet with its red-capped crew
+and passengers. Prue wandered off to find
+even finer mosses, and Randy was trying
+to capture a big water-spider for a passenger
+for a piece of birch bark, when Prue
+came rushing down the path, crying, “Look,
+Randy! Look! Here’s old Mr. Plimpkins
+to sail in one of our boats.”
+</p>
+<p>
+In her surprise Randy let the water-spider
+escape, and, turning about, saw Prue quite
+alone, running toward her, laughing and
+holding out something which she had in
+her hand.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Prue Weston! what do you mean?”
+said Randy.
+</p>
+<p>
+Old Mr. Plimpkins was a farmer who
+lived at the outskirts of the town, but Prue
+had seen him at church, and she thought
+him the funniest man she had ever seen.
+</p>
+<p>
+He was nearly as broad as he was tall.
+Winter and summer, he habitually wore
+very broad-brimmed hats, and he walked
+with a comical waddle, because his legs
+were completely bowed. As if to attract
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_34'></a>34</span>
+attention to these members, they were always
+encased in light, snuff-colored trousers,
+while about his neck, hot weather or cold,
+was always wrapped an immense red plaid
+cotton handkerchief.
+</p>
+<p>
+As Prue came along, she handed out
+to Randy the object which she called
+Mr. Plimpkins, and, sure enough, clutched
+tightly in the little hot hand, was a bit
+of twig on which two stems bowed together
+until they nearly touched. On it, for a
+broad-brimmed hat, she had stuck a round
+green leaf.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, I think it must be naughty to laugh
+about him, even if he is funny,” said
+Randy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“But doesn’t it look like him?” persisted
+Prue, “besides, <em>you’re</em> laughing, Randy,
+only not out loud.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Indeed, Randy was laughing, so, without
+attempting to reprove the little sister, she
+placed the bit of birch, which represented
+the old farmer, on the bark, and watched
+Prue as she floated it down the stream.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_35'></a>35</span>
+Then, turning toward home, they walked
+along the path which led to the entrance to
+the wood.
+</p>
+<p>
+Prue sang all the way, and, seeing her
+happiness, Randy, sweet Randy, felt rewarded
+for the afternoon given up to her
+little sister’s amusement; but she felt that
+the reading of the fairy tales was not a
+success. Clearly, the stories were beyond
+little Prue; for, at the supper table, when
+there was a pause in the conversation, she
+described the afternoon and Randy’s reading,
+much to Randy’s surprise and her
+father’s amusement.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, father!” she exclaimed, “we’ve
+been down to the brook, sailing boats, an’
+Randy read me the beautifulest story! The
+girl’s name was—I’ve forgotten what, but
+her hair comed down to the ground, and
+the prince clumb up on it, and ’most pulled
+her head off, and the tower was so small the
+old witch couldn’t live in it, and she cut
+her hair off, and that’s all I can think of,
+’cept the girl sang all the time, and the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_36'></a>36</span>
+prince could hear her, and we sat on the
+plank and waited for the prince to come.”
+</p>
+<p>
+All this she said in one breath. Her
+father laughed heartily at her manner of
+telling the story, but Mrs. Weston said,
+“What on airth does the child mean?”
+while Randy decided to read the stories to
+herself, thereafter, and amuse Prue in another
+way.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_37'></a>37</span><a name='chIII' id='chIII'></a>CHAPTER III—RANDY AT CHURCH</h2>
+<p>
+“Come, Randy, come! It wants a quarter
+to ten, an’ you’d better hurry.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes, mother, I’m coming,” said Randy,
+pleasantly, and with redoubled energy she
+reached for the middle button of her dress
+waist, which was fastened at the back.
+This button was just too high for her left
+hand to reach up to, and almost too low for
+her right hand to reach down to, but at last
+she succeeded in crowding the refractory
+little button into its buttonhole, and, flushed
+with the struggle, she stood before the tiny
+looking-glass brushing a stray curling lock
+from her temple. The glass was a poor
+one, and Randy’s reflection appeared to be
+making a most unpleasant grimace at the
+real girl standing there. When she lifted
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_38'></a>38</span>
+her chin, a flaw in the glass made one eye
+appear much larger than the other, and
+when she bent her head, you would never
+have believed that the little nose in the glass
+was a reproduction of Randy’s, so singular
+was its contour. Truly, with such mirrors
+as the farm-house afforded, Randy stood
+little chance of becoming vain.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Come, Randy!” Randy started, took
+one more look at the stiff gingham dress,
+then hastened down the stairs. At the
+door stood Mrs. Weston, impatiently waiting
+for her, while little Prue patted the old
+cat and told her that she “mustn’t be lonesome
+while they were all at church.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Into the wagon they climbed, and away
+they started to the church. Their progress
+was slow, for the old horse was far from a
+“racer” at any time, and on Sunday Mr.
+Weston felt it to be wrong to more than
+walk the horse; yet, even with such slow
+locomotion, they did at last reach the church,
+and the old horse was duly ensconced in the
+carriage-shed to dream away the forenoon.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_39'></a>39</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+The Westons had arrived a bit early,
+and Randy amused herself surveying the
+few parishioners who had already come.
+In that country town the neighbors were
+few and far between. The Westons’ nearest
+neighbor was about a mile and a half
+distant, and so on Sundays it was quite a
+treat to see so many people.
+</p>
+<p>
+There were the Babson girls just a few
+pews in front of Randy. Randy thought
+Belinda Babson very pretty, mainly because
+of her fine yellow braids of straight hair.
+These braids lay down Belinda’s broad
+back, falling quite below her waist.
+</p>
+<p>
+Her sister Jemima’s braids were even
+thicker and longer; but then, Randy reflected,
+Jemima’s braids were red.
+</p>
+<p>
+There was Jotham Potts, whose black
+eyes always espied Randy at church or
+school, but whose regard she did not at
+all value. True, on one hot Sunday when
+Randy had found it well-nigh impossible
+to keep awake, Jotham had reached over
+the top of the pew and dropped some big
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_40'></a>40</span>
+peppermints in her lap. His intention was
+good, and Randy blushed and was delighted,
+although her pleasure was partly spoiled
+by a snicker from Phœbe Small, who longed
+to win Jotham’s admiration, but thus far
+had failed to gain it. Randy had inspected
+every boy and girl in the church and was
+just watching a big blue fly that was circling
+around a web in the angle of the window,
+when a slight stir among the occupants
+of the other pews caused Randy to look
+around and become delighted with a sweet
+vision. With Farmer Gray and his wife
+came a number of ladies and gentlemen;
+summer boarders who were to be at the
+Gray homestead a number of weeks; but
+to Randy’s eyes, the young lady who took
+a seat next to Mrs. Gray seemed a dream
+of beauty. She wore a simple white muslin
+and a very large hat trimmed with daisies,
+but to the little country maid the city
+girl’s costume was nothing short of magnificent.
+</p>
+<p>
+It had always been Randy’s delight
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_41'></a>41</span>
+when the choir arose to sing, to watch
+Miss Dobbs, the little woman who sang
+soprano, as she drew herself up to her full
+height in a vain attempt to catch a glimpse
+of the page of the hymn book, the other
+half of which was held by Silas Barnes,
+the phenomenally tall tenor. Equally
+amusing was the tall, thin woman who
+sang “second,” standing beside her cousin,
+John Hobson, who sang bass with all his
+might. He was short, fat, and very dark,
+and his musical efforts, which were mighty,
+caused a scowl upon his usually jovial countenance,
+and a deal of perspiration as well.
+</p>
+<p>
+But to-day when the choir arose, Randy
+had no eyes for any one but the Grays’
+lovely boarder, and she almost held her
+breath as she wondered if the girl would
+sing.
+</p>
+<p>
+The tall tenor touched his tuning fork,
+the choir sounded the chord, then choir
+and congregation joined in singing the old
+missionary hymn, “From Greenland’s Icy
+Mountains,” and round and full rang out
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_42'></a>42</span>
+the sweet contralto voice of the tall, fair
+girl in white.
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy was spellbound. She had never
+admired that hymn, but to-day it sounded
+sweeter than anything she had ever heard.
+Little Prue looked at the singer with round
+eyes, and as they sat down she clutched
+Randy’s skirts and in a loud whisper said,
+“Oh, Randy, do you s’pose she is the fairy
+princess?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, hush!” said Randy, alarmed lest
+the young girl should hear the child.
+</p>
+<p>
+Did she hear her? She sat in the pew
+just in front of the Westons’, and when Prue
+whispered her eager question, a faint suggestion
+of a smile hovered about the lovely
+mouth, and a bright twinkle glimmered
+for an instant in her beautiful eyes.
+</p>
+<p>
+Just then Parson Spooner arose, gave out
+the text, and commenced one of his long sermons.
+He was a good man, with a kindly
+word and smile for every one, and all of his
+people were devoutly fond of him. The people
+liked him, and he always had a pleasant
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_43'></a>43</span>
+chat with every child whom he met, and
+most of them thought that he was “lots”
+nicer on week-days than on Sundays. On
+week-days he talked with the boy whom he
+chanced to meet with his fishing-rod over
+his shoulder, and laughingly wished him
+good luck. Or, if it happened that the
+small owner of a home-made kite could
+not make it fly, the genial parson had
+been known to tie a new bob (usually a
+few weeds tied together) to the tail of the refractory
+kite, and off it would sail to the delight
+of the small boy and his clerical friend.
+</p>
+<p>
+But on Sundays, his sermons, delivered
+in a drowsy sing-song, tried the patience of
+his small parishioners. Prue and Randy
+settled down as if for a long day of it, and
+Randy resolved that, however long the sermon
+might be, she would not get sleepy;
+whereupon, she stretched her eyes to their
+fullest extent, and stared at nothing so
+persistently, that Prue became uneasy, and
+whispered, “What’s the matter, Randy?
+you look so queer!”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_44'></a>44</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Nothing,” said Randy. “I just mean
+to keep my eyes open, that’s all.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“They <em>are</em> open, just monstrous!” said
+Prue, at which Randy could not help laughing.
+As the little girl was not aware that
+she had said anything that was at all
+funny, she thought Randy’s amusement
+quite out of place, and sat quietly for a few
+moments, in injured silence.
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy tried very hard to attend to the
+sermon, but in spite of good intentions, her
+mind wandered from Parson Spooner’s
+flushed face, as he proceeded to make his
+meaning clear by loud vocal efforts, and to
+enforce his meaning by many thumps of
+his fat fist upon the pulpit cushion.
+</p>
+<p>
+Mrs. Brimblecom sat over by the window,
+slowly waving a palm-leaf fan to and fro,
+and occasionally nudging her husband, to
+keep him awake. In front of her, sat Joel
+Simpkins, his sandy hair brushed so carefully
+that not one hair was awry, and just across
+the aisle, Janie Clifton sat, in all the glory
+of a new pink calico. Janie’s black curls
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_45'></a>45</span>
+were very pretty, and she knew it; and her
+bright, black eyes had been pointedly
+praised in an alleged poem, which had
+appeared in the county paper a few weeks
+before. It was entitled the “Black-eyed
+Coquette,” and Janie felt sure that Joel
+had written it, in which case, its boldly
+expressed flattery could have been meant
+for none other than herself. Accordingly,
+she shook her curls, and occasionally looked
+at Joel, in a manner which Randy considered
+shockingly bold, and she wondered if,
+at eighteen, she could act like that. She
+decided that she could never be so bold, not
+even if the object of her admiration looked
+like a prince.
+</p>
+<p>
+She thought, too, that Joel was very
+ordinary; then she looked again at the girl
+in the daisy-trimmed hat and white muslin
+gown, and fell to wondering how fine and
+handsome a prince would have to be to gain
+her favor.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Probably there isn’t any one in these
+parts that would please her,” thought
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_46'></a>46</span>
+Randy. “’Tisn’t only her clothes,” mused
+she, “it’s something else that makes her
+different from the folks around here.”
+</p>
+<p>
+All this time Prue had been unusually
+still, and Randy looked to see if she was
+asleep. The little girl was very wide
+awake, and sat staring at the large hat in
+front of her, her lips moving as if she were
+counting. Prue’s manner of counting was
+something unique, and as Randy bent her
+head to listen, she could hardly help laughing,
+for this is what she heard:—
+</p>
+<p>
+“One, two, four, five, two, six, ten, nine,
+two,—oh, Randy, there’s more daisies on
+her hat than I can count. Are they truly
+daisies? If they are, why don’t they wilt?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Hush-sh-sh,” said Randy. “Keep still
+and watch that big bumble bee that’s just
+come in the window.”
+</p>
+<div><a name='f046' id='f046'></a></div>
+<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='i003' id='i003'></a>
+<img src="images/illus-046.jpg" alt="Prue counts the Daisies on Miss Dayton’s Hat" title=""/><br />
+<span class='caption'>Prue counts the Daisies on Miss Dayton’s Hat</span>
+</div>
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_47'></a>47</span></div>
+<p>
+“Hear him bum,” said Prue, thus making
+Randy laugh again. She felt very wicked,
+laughing in church, and knew that her
+father would not approve; but how could
+she help laughing, for while she watched
+the bee, and wondered where he would fly
+next, little Prue watched him, too, all the
+time softly imitating his monotonous tune
+by saying under her breath, “bum, bum,
+bum.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The heat increased, and Prue looked out
+of the window at the green branches moving
+in the breeze, and longed to be out there,
+too. At last the bee tired of the church
+and flew out of the window, and just as
+Randy was thinking that she could not
+bear the heat, Parson Spooner’s sermon
+came to an end. He had become entangled
+in his own eloquence; and seeing no way
+to extricate himself, or make his meaning
+clear, he abruptly closed his sermon and
+suggested singing the Doxology.
+</p>
+<p>
+After the service Mrs. Gray stopped to
+talk with Mrs. Weston, and then, to the
+mingled delight and embarrassment of Randy
+and Prue, the beautiful stranger turned,
+and, stooping, spoke to the little girl.
+</p>
+<p>
+“How very good you have been,” said
+she, “to sit still this long, hot morning.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_48'></a>48</span>
+Do you know I had some candy in my
+pocket which I longed to share with you,
+but I didn’t like to turn quite around, as I
+should have had to, to give it to you. Let
+me give it to you now, and you and your
+sister can enjoy it during the long ride
+home. See!” And from a pretty chatelaine
+bag which hung from her belt, she
+took a small box of bonbons. “If I give
+you this, will you give me a kiss?” And
+she stooped and placed the gift in Prue’s
+eager little hands.
+</p>
+<p>
+For an instant the child hesitated; then
+shyly she lifted her face, and as the young
+girl stooped to take the kiss, Prue’s pudgy
+little arm went around her neck.
+</p>
+<p>
+Then, turning to Randy, she extended
+her hand in its dainty glove, saying, “I
+have seen you and your sister many times
+when I have strolled past your home, and
+once, when you were standing near the tall
+clump of sunflowers, watching the bees, I
+was tempted to stop and chat with you
+awhile.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_49'></a>49</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, I wish you had,” said Randy, so
+eagerly, that the girl laughed merrily, saying,
+“Well, the next time I am out for a
+walk and am going up the long hill, I will
+make you a little call.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Just at that moment Mrs. Weston’s
+friendly chat with her neighbor came to an
+end, and with her usual hasty manner she
+hurried the two children out of the church
+and into the old wagon. Mr. Weston gathered
+up the reins, and with a loud “g’lang”
+and a few jerks, the old horse seemed to
+awaken from his forenoon’s nap in the
+carriage-shed and ambled a few steps, then
+subsided into the habitual jog.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Look, mother, just see what she
+gave me,” said Prue, swinging the tiny
+package of bonbons before her mother’s
+eyes.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What is it?” said her mother; “who
+gave it to you?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“The princess,” said Prue, as plainly as
+she could, considering the size of the bonbon
+which she was eating. Mrs. Weston
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_50'></a>50</span>
+looked puzzled, and Randy, helping herself
+to a bit of the candy, explained:—
+</p>
+<p>
+“It was that beautiful, tall girl with
+Mrs. Gray. She gave Prue the candy for
+being good and keeping still this morning,
+and she’s coming to see me soon’s
+ever she takes a walk past our house,
+and isn’t she the handsomest person that
+ever lived?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Wal’, I don’t know as I noticed,” said
+Mrs. Weston.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, how could you help seeing her?”
+said Randy, in amazement.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Wal’, I s’pose I did see her, but I
+didn’t ’specially notice her, ’cept that
+she was talkin’ to you children, for Mrs.
+Gray was tellin’ me a new way to make
+cookies with two eggs instead of four,
+and I made her tell me twice so’s I’d remember;
+two eggs is quite a savin’.”
+But this new bit of economy was lost on
+Randy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Did Mrs. Gray tell you her name?”
+asked Randy, eagerly.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_51'></a>51</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Seems to me she said it was Dayton, or
+something like that, but I was so took up
+with that two-egg rule for cookies that I
+didn’t notice.” So, failing to interest her
+mother, Randy subsided.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_52'></a>52</span><a name='chIV' id='chIV'></a>CHAPTER IV—PRUE’S MISHAP</h2>
+<p>
+Down the long, dusty road trudged Randy
+and Prue one hot morning on their way to
+the village store.
+</p>
+<p>
+At every step the dust arose like smoke,
+then settled upon their shoes, making a
+thick coating like that which whitened the
+blackberry vines growing luxuriantly over
+the wall by the roadside.
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy was far from pleased to be taking
+this long walk in the dust and heat. She
+had been sitting upon the rough, wooden
+seat just outside the kitchen door, reading
+the beloved fairy book, when her mother
+had stepped briskly to the doorway, calling
+her back from fairyland abruptly, saying:
+“Come, Randy, you must go down to the
+store after some sugar. I’ve got my cookies ’bout half
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_53'></a>53</span>
+done and my sugar’s given
+out, so you must put on your sunbonnet
+and take Prue, and go as quick as you can.
+Ye needn’t run, only don’t waste time.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, mother,” said Randy, “it’ll take me
+twice as long if I have to take Prue, she’s
+so little, and she walks so slow.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I know it,” said Mrs. Weston, “but
+I’ve got lots to do while you’re gone, and I
+can’t watch her and work at the same
+time; so you take her ’long o’ you, and I’ll
+know she’s all right.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy took her sunbonnet from its peg
+on the wall and called little Prue, who was
+playing in the sun. The child’s delight
+when told that she might go to the store
+with Randy made the elder girl regret that
+she had demurred when told that she must
+take her little sister with her.
+</p>
+<p>
+Prue laughed with delight, and, thrusting
+her little sunburned hand into Randy’s,
+she trudged along, scuffling her feet and
+laughing to see the dust rise in little gray
+clouds.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_54'></a>54</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+At any other time Randy would have
+checked Prue, but that day her mind was
+too much occupied with the heroine of the
+fairy tale to notice Prue’s movements or
+comment upon them; but Prue was getting
+tired of walking in silence, while Randy
+indulged herself in day-dreams.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why don’t you talk, Randy? You
+haven’t talked any since we started,” said
+Prue.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, it’s too hot to talk,” answered
+Randy, and she once more relapsed into
+silence.
+</p>
+<p>
+Prue dropped Randy’s hand, and, leaving
+the road, she clambered upon the wall to
+hunt among the dusty vines for blackberries.
+There were more leaves than fruit,
+so the little girl, after finding a few small
+berries, walked along upon the wall until
+she came to another lot of vines, where she
+again searched for fruit.
+</p>
+<p>
+While Prue looked for berries Randy was
+critically inspecting her own and her little
+sister’s costume. How ugly they looked!
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_55'></a>55</span>
+The girl who, up to that time, had never
+seen any one arrayed in anything more
+beautiful than a print or gingham gown,
+varied by a long apron of blue-checked cotton,
+or a dark, chocolate-colored calico, now
+looked with startling dislike upon that
+style of apparel.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Only think,” mused Randy, “if we
+wore white dresses and fine shoes, and big
+hats, ’twouldn’t seem near as hot doing
+errands. Seems as though we could sit
+still in meeting if we had on different
+clothes and—why, Prue, what’s the matter?”
+cried Randy, in answer to a doleful
+wail from the little sister.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, my foot, my foot!” screamed Prue;
+“it hurts drefful, and I can’t get it out.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Let me see,” said Randy. “Hold still a
+minute; I can get it out, Prue,” which, however,
+proved to be easier said than done.
+While walking upon the wall the little
+foot had slipped between the stones and
+seemed firmly fixed.
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy worked gently and patiently, and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_56'></a>56</span>
+at last the little foot was out of prison.
+Prue insisted upon having her shoe and
+stocking taken off, saying that her foot
+felt “awful big,” and sure enough it had
+become a trifle swollen. Randy tried in
+every way to soothe her, assuring her that
+it was but a short walk to the store, but
+Prue wailed dismally.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, I can’t walk, Randy, my foot aches
+just drefful, and I can’t have any shoes on,
+’cause my foot has grown big.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy blamed herself for the mishap.
+“I ought to have been taking care of Prue
+instead of thinking of fine clothes,” thought
+Randy. “It ought to have been me that
+got hurt instead of little Prue. ’Twould
+have served me right for being real silly,
+almost vain, I do believe.” And thus she
+berated herself.
+</p>
+<p>
+Poor, repentant Randy! Careless she
+had been, but surely not wicked. She
+was utterly at a loss to know what to do.
+“Don’t you think you could walk slowly,
+Prue, if I put my hands under your arms
+to help you?” she asked coaxingly.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_57'></a>57</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Randy, how can I walk when this foot
+is most twice as big as my other foot?” said
+Prue.
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy thought a moment. Then she
+said: “There’s only one thing to do, Prue.
+You can look right down the road and see
+the store from here. You sit still where
+you are, and I’ll run and get the sugar; it
+won’t take but a few minutes, and when I
+get back I’ll carry you home in my arms.
+You can hold the sugar and I’ll carry
+you.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Prue tried bravely to stop crying, and
+although she declared that her foot felt
+“worser,” she promised to be patient until
+Randy should return. The store was in
+the front part of a farm-house but a short
+distance from where the two sat upon the
+wall, and Randy rushed off down the road
+and in at the open door, in such evident
+haste that Silas Barnes looked at the girl
+in amazement.
+</p>
+<p>
+“In a kind of hurry, ain’t ye?” said he,
+as in his usual deliberate manner he weighed
+the sugar.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_58'></a>58</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes, oh, yes,” answered Randy, as she
+almost snatched the bundle and darted out
+of the door and ran up the road to where
+Prue sat upon the wall, a most disconsolate
+little heap, trying very hard to be brave,
+but sobbing in spite of all endeavor.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now, you carry the sugar—just think
+what a sweet bundle—and I’ll take you.
+My arms are real strong, so I believe I can
+carry you easily.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Prue hugged the parcel, and taking her
+little sister in her arms Randy stepped out
+bravely toward home. It seemed to her
+that she could not remember such intense
+heat as she that day experienced. They
+had taken off their sunbonnets as they
+sat upon the wall, and in their haste they
+had started for home, leaving them where
+they had dropped them, so that their heads
+were unprotected from the scorching rays
+of the sun, which was now directly overhead.
+</p>
+<div><a name='f058' id='f058'></a></div>
+<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='i004' id='i004'></a>
+<img src="images/illus-058.jpg" alt="Randy carrying Prue in her Arms" title=""/><br />
+<span class='caption'>Randy carrying Prue in her Arms</span>
+</div>
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_59'></a>59</span></div>
+<p>
+Many times Randy was obliged to set
+Prue upon the wall, just long enough to
+rest her aching arms; then taking her
+again, she bravely trudged on toward
+home.
+</p>
+<p>
+Just as she concluded that her arms
+would surely break, she heard the sound
+of wheels behind her, and looking over
+her shoulder she saw Obadiah Gray’s old
+mare, Clover, jogging along and in the
+wagon the beautiful young girl whom
+she had so much admired at church.
+</p>
+<p>
+“There’s that pretty girl whom I saw in
+church last Sunday,” thought Helen Dayton.
+“How much prettier she looks without
+that ugly sunbonnet. Why, she has
+her little sister in her arms, and the little
+one is crying. I’ll stop and speak to them.”
+Old Clover, always delighted to stop, came
+to a standstill, and Randy looked up shyly
+at Helen’s beautiful face.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Are you not tired?” said Miss Dayton.
+“I see that you are carrying your little
+sister.” Then, as she noticed the swollen
+foot, she said: “Oh, how did she hurt her
+foot? Do let me take you home.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_60'></a>60</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy was only too glad to accept the
+invitation so sweetly given; so Prue was
+gently lifted to a place beside Miss Dayton,
+and then Randy clambered in, not only
+thankful for the ride, but positively charmed
+to be with the lovely driver.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now, tell me,” said Helen, “how your
+little sister injured her foot.” So Randy
+told her the whole story, and blamed herself
+more than she deserved. “If I hadn’t been
+wishing that I had a big, beautiful hat
+like”—but here Randy stopped abruptly,
+as she noticed, for the first time, that Miss
+Dayton was wearing the very hat and dress
+which so filled her mind that morning.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What was the hat like? Anything
+like the one I am wearing this morning?”
+asked Helen, sweetly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, yes, just like it,” admitted
+Randy, blushing.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Did you so much admire my hat?” said
+Helen. “Well, who knows but that on
+some fine day you may have one quite like
+it.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_61'></a>61</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+When, at last, they had reached Randy’s
+home, both Prue and Randy had become
+quite well acquainted with their new
+friend.
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Weston had just come in from the
+field, in answer to a blast from the dinner
+horn, and was as anxious as his wife when
+told that the children had been gone two
+hours and a half. “I guess I’ll have to
+harness up and go down to the store and
+see if they’re—sakes alive! Here they be
+now, with that ’stonishing pretty boarder of
+Obadiah Gray’s,” and Mr. Weston hastened
+down the walk to thank the young lady for
+her kindness.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m much ’bleeged to ye for bringing
+the children home; mother and I was getting
+anxious. Randy, here, is going on
+fifteen, and pretty tall of her age, but we
+still call them the children, and Randy,
+she’s reliable; so, when she don’t appear at
+the right time, we know that something’s
+up. Why, Prue, where’s your shoe and
+stocking?”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_62'></a>62</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, father,” said Randy, “you won’t
+say I was reliable this time.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now, Mr. Weston,” said Helen Dayton,
+“Randy blames herself for Prue’s injured
+foot, but she has bravely carried her little
+sister up the long hill from the store, and I
+think accuses herself too harshly.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Like enough,” said Randy’s father.
+“Randy’s conscience is all out of proportion
+to her size.” Then, once more thanking
+Helen heartily for her kindness, he took
+little Prue into his arms saying, kindly:
+“There, there, little daughter, I wouldn’t
+cry any more. You’re home now, and
+mother’ll know just how to fix your foot
+all right; and, Randy, ye may have let yer
+thoughts wander, so to speak, but you
+didn’t make Prue hurt her foot, and ye’ve
+more than made up fer it all by bein’ so
+truly sorry, and tryin’ to bring her home.
+She’s a little girl, but she’s solid for a girl
+of your size to carry. ‘Stead of blamin’
+and accusin’ yourself, you just help mother
+to make Prue comfortable, and then you
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_63'></a>63</span>
+amuse her with the fairy book, and, may
+be, she’ll forget how bad her foot aches.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ll do it,” said Randy, delighted to
+think that she could in any way be useful
+to her little sister, and so well did she
+amuse her that in the middle of the sixth
+fairy tale Prue was sound asleep.
+</p>
+<p>
+As soon as Mrs. Weston had seen the
+little foot, she had given it a bath in hot
+water, bound securely about it a hot bandage,
+and told little Prue that she must be
+quite still.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I will, if Randy will read to me,” said
+Prue. So Randy read story after story,
+until the little sister was asleep.
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy sat beside her, intending to read
+to her again if she awoke, but Prue had
+cried with the aching foot until she was
+very tired, so she slept soundly. Once she
+stirred, and thrust her chubby hand under
+her head, murmuring as she did so. Randy
+bent over her, to hear what she said.
+</p>
+<p>
+“The big stones squeezed my foot, so
+course it wasn’t my Randy did it,” murmured Prue. “My
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_64'></a>64</span>
+Randy wouldn’t do
+such a thing to me. My Randy’s just about
+right always and she—” but here her voice
+faltered and that which commenced in a
+sentence ended in a sigh. A bright tear
+glistened in Randy’s gray eyes. How lovingly
+little Prue held her above the possibility
+of anything wrong.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I must try hard to be as good as Prue
+thinks I am,” thought Randy, and, bending,
+she kissed the little one ever so gently so as
+not to awaken her; “for,” thought Randy,
+“while she sleeps she doesn’t know her foot
+aches, and when she wakes I’ll read or do
+anything she wishes me to, to amuse her.”
+</p>
+<p>
+And Randy kept her promise. The
+injury, although not serious, was quite painful,
+and Prue declared that Randy was
+“’most an angel,” so patient and entertaining
+was she, reading the same story over
+and over again if it chanced to please her.
+</p>
+<p>
+In a few days Prue was able to be about,
+and Randy was every bit as happy as her
+little sister, to see that the swelling had
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_65'></a>65</span>
+disappeared and the wee foot back to its
+usual size. There was one story with which
+Prue seemed the most pleased and which she
+wished oftenest to hear.
+</p>
+<p>
+That was the story of the “Sleeping
+Beauty,” but it mattered not how many
+times she heard it, she never could tell it
+straight.
+</p>
+<p>
+One day Prue’s mother said that the
+little girl would be wise if she rested her
+foot all the afternoon. “I’ll sit still on
+the ‘lunge,’” said Prue, “if you’ll listen to
+a bea-utiful story called the ‘Sleeping
+Beauty.’ I guess I can tell it ’most right;
+do you want to hear it, mother?”
+</p>
+<p>
+Now this was a trial to Mrs. Weston’s
+patience. She had glanced hastily at a few
+pages of the fairy book and had declared it
+to be “clear foolishness,” adding, “if it
+amuses Randy and Prue, I do’no as I care;
+but it puzzles me how they can enjoy it.”
+</p>
+<p>
+But, thinking to please her little daughter
+and make her willing to sit still, she promised
+to listen attentively to Prue’s narrative,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_66'></a>66</span>
+adding under her breath, “I guess I can
+stand it for once, if it is foolish.” So she
+handed the book to Prue, who declared that,
+although she couldn’t read, she could tell
+the story better by looking at the pictures.
+</p>
+<p>
+Mrs. Weston brought her sewing to the
+window nearest the lounge where Prue sat
+as if enthroned, and the youthful entertainer
+commenced at once to tell the story
+as she remembered it. As Randy afterward
+said with stifled laughter, “If that is
+the best Prue could tell the story with the
+pictures to help her, how much more could
+she have twisted it without the book?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Once upon a time (they all commence
+that way),” said Prue, “there was a little
+girl so be-autiful that folks ’most went
+crazy who saw her, an’ her father was
+tickled to see how handsome she was when
+she was a baby; an’ one time when she
+was fifteen (that’s what Randy is)—no, I
+forgot, when the baby, that’s the princess,
+you know, was a bein’ chris-chris-chris-tened,
+there was a lot of fairies that bringed
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_67'></a>67</span>
+her presents, and one was mad because she
+didn’t be invited, and she did something
+awful, but I’ve forgot what.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Then the beautiful princess went to
+sleep a hun-dred years” (here Prue’s eyes
+grew round with excitement), “and she
+grew older and older every minute—no,
+no, she didn’t. I mean she didn’t grow
+older a’ tall.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Here Randy turned hastily to gaze out
+of the window, and Prue, fortunately, failed
+to notice her sister’s very evident effort to
+conceal her amusement.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Then everybody in the house—no, palace—went
+sound asleep and snored, and
+they never waked up ’til the prince kissed
+them—oh, no, he only kissed the princess.
+Mother, why do you s’pose he didn’t kiss
+anybody but the princess? Shouldn’t you
+a thought he would?”
+</p>
+<p>
+Without waiting for an answer, however,
+Prue babbled on.
+</p>
+<p>
+“They was married and lived happy ever
+after, and all the folks waked up, and the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_68'></a>68</span>
+horses, and cows, and cats, and dogs, all
+wagged their tails ’cause they was awake
+too. Isn’t that a wonderful story?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I should say it was,” ejaculated practical
+Mrs. Weston. “Nothing less than
+wonderful.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Mrs. Weston folded the garment which
+she had been mending, and saying, kindly,
+“That was a long story for a little girl to
+try to tell,” she went out to the kitchen to
+make preparation for tea, leaving Prue still
+looking at the pictures in the fairy book.
+Randy stole out to the kitchen.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, mother,” she said, looking up wistfully,
+“I know you think it funny that I
+can like fairy stories almost as well as Prue
+does; but, truly, Prue does not tell them
+straight. They’re not true, of course, but
+they do sound pretty when you read them
+straight through instead of ‘mixed up’ as
+she gets them.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I know, of course,” said her mother,
+“that Prue has a funny way of telling anything.
+If you enjoy the stories, I’m sure I
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_69'></a>69</span>
+don’t care, only don’t ask me to read them.
+I want to read something that’s somewhat
+probable,” and Randy was obliged to be
+satisfied with that.
+</p>
+<p>
+Mrs. Weston’s mind was utterly void of
+imagination, and to read to her of magic
+locks, of sleep which, lasting a hundred
+years, left the sleeper youthful and beautiful,
+of wild wishes granted, of people
+turned to stone, and back to life again,
+simply tried her patience and amused her
+not at all.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_70'></a>70</span><a name='chV' id='chV'></a>CHAPTER V—HELEN DAYTON’S CALL</h2>
+<p>
+The sun shone in at the kitchen window
+and made a golden panel on the floor.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Looks like another hot day,” said Mrs.
+Weston, and she paused a moment and
+looked out at the meadow, where the little
+brook sparkled in the sun.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Mother, are we very poor?” said Randy,
+irrelevantly.
+</p>
+<p>
+Mrs. Weston wheeled around abruptly in
+her surprise, and promptly dropped the
+dishcloth which she held in her hand.
+“There,” said she, “look at that dishcloth;
+somebody’s comin’ sure as preachin’. I
+never knew it to fail.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, I do hope somebody will, if it’s Miss
+Dayton, if that’s her name,” added Randy.
+“But you didn’t answer what I asked you,”
+said the girl. “<em>Are</em> we, mother?”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_71'></a>71</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, Randy, what’s in your mind?
+Lately you’ve been dreamin’ most of the
+time, and askin’ queer questions between
+times. Are we what? Poor? Why no,
+I do’no’s we be. Your father ain’t a rich
+man, but he’s well-to-do. What put it in
+your head to ask me?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Nothing,” said Randy, “only I was
+wondering what the reason was that all
+the folks in church yesterday looked so
+different from Mrs. Gray’s boarders. Was
+it because they were poorer or was it some
+other reason?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well,” said Mrs. Weston, as she took
+the towel from Randy’s listless hands, and
+commenced energetically to finish wiping
+the dishes, “I guess we’re as well fixed as
+any one around here; your father owes
+nobody nothin’, and our farm’s one of the
+biggest and best in the town. I’ve heard
+say that some city folks was rich, an’ I
+heard tell of other city folks as wasn’t
+so well off as their clothes seemed to make
+them out; and as to our lookin’ different,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_72'></a>72</span>
+there ain’t any call to dress up any more
+than what we do now. I tell you what,
+Randy, to be clean and neat ought to
+satisfy any one.”
+</p>
+<p>
+To this Randy could not agree, so she
+wisely said nothing. In her inmost heart
+she knew that, were she the possessor of
+an immense hat loaded with flowers, she
+would not have the courage to walk into
+church, the cynosure of all eyes. On the
+other hand, a sunbonnet never had looked
+so uncouth and unbecoming as now.
+</p>
+<p>
+The dishes put away, the chickens fed,
+and a dozen other little chores attended to,
+Randy was free to do as she liked; so off
+to the “best” room she flew, eager to
+brighten it in any way which might
+suggest itself. The best room was a front
+room, and the front door, although seldom
+used, opened from it, showing a little garden
+in which grew boys’ love, larkspur,
+balsams, and, later in the season, marigolds.
+</p>
+<p>
+But the front room and the front door
+were never used; and the little path from
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_73'></a>73</span>
+the door-stone to the flower beds was
+overgrown with weeds, years ago. The
+side door which led to the barn, the well,
+and the woodpile was the proper one to
+use. So Randy did not open the door; it
+never occurred to her to do so; but she
+drew up the green paper curtains, and let
+in the sunlight, and, although the room
+was scrupulously clean, she decided that
+the correct thing to do first was to dust.
+</p>
+<p>
+Between the front windows stood a little
+table with an oil-cloth cover, dotted with
+red and green figures. Over the table, and
+quite too high for any one to take a peep,
+hung a small, square looking-glass with a
+broad, wooden frame.
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy remembered having seen a huge
+asparagus plume over a mirror in the parson’s
+sitting room on one gala occasion
+when the sewing-circle had met there, and
+she had been permitted to be present with
+her mother. Asparagus, then, would be
+quite the thing with which to decorate
+the glass. The parson’s mirror had a gilt
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_74'></a>74</span>
+frame and a gorgeous landscape above the
+glass, and Randy felt sure that the wooden
+frame needed the decoration even more than
+the gilt one. The asparagus in place, Randy
+stopped in the middle of the floor, duster in
+hand, to view the effect. Her eyes wandered
+about the room, and this is what she
+saw.
+</p>
+<p>
+On the opposite wall was a picture entitled
+“The Tree of Life,” on which every
+known virtue hung pendant from the
+branches on one side, while every evil of
+which man is guilty kept the balance on
+the other.
+</p>
+<p>
+This picture always served to depress
+Randy. The tree was a sombre green,
+and Randy espied Envy printed in large
+type on that side where hung the sins,
+and she felt sure that a wee bit of envy
+had crept into her heart on Sunday, and as
+she looked at the pictured tree she said,
+under her breath: “Must have been vanity
+that made me almost hate my sunbonnet.
+The parson preached a while ago on the
+sin of vanity.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_75'></a>75</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Poor Randy! To think it a sin to long
+with all her girlish heart for pretty things!
+With a sigh she turned from the picture of
+the tree to the one hanging upon the side
+wall. This was more cheerful—an ancient
+fashion plate in which insipid-looking
+gentlemen, in white trousers and long,
+blue coats, were smiling at some waxen-faced
+ladies whose beruffled skirts were
+voluminously extended.
+</p>
+<p>
+She rather admired this picture, mainly
+because the people in it, at least, looked
+cheerful. Leaving the pictures, Randy let
+her eyes slowly wander over the furnishings.
+As none of her neighbors or acquaintances
+had carpets, the yellow painted floor
+seemed quite fine. The chairs were also
+yellow, and as a crowning luxury, a green
+enamelled cloth lounge stood in all its slippery
+grandeur against the wall, beside the
+door.
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy liked the lounge, but wished it possible
+to sit upon it without slipping. While
+she was wishing that she had some pretty
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_76'></a>76</span>
+thing in the shape of an ornament for the
+table, her eyes wandered to the window,
+where, looking out into the garden, she
+could see the tall spikes of pink and blue
+larkspur waving in the breeze. A bright
+idea! Why not have some flowers upon
+the table?
+</p>
+<p>
+Away she ran to the kitchen closet, and
+there she inspected everything on the shelves,
+so anxious was she to find something fine
+for her flowers.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, that’s the thing,” said Randy, “if
+mother’ll let me have it.” Appealed to,
+Mrs. Weston looked doubtful. “’Tain’t a
+vase,” said she, “it’s my old white and blue
+spoon holder, an’ I do’no how it will look in
+the best room.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“But you’d be willing I should use it,
+wouldn’t you?” Randy asked eagerly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, I don’t mind your usin’ it; go put
+your posies in it an’ see how it looks.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Surprised and delighted that her mother
+should express the least interest, Randy
+skipped out into the garden and came running back in
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_77'></a>77</span>
+a few moments with a dozen
+long stalks of larkspur in her hands. She
+filled the old spoon holder with water and
+crowded in the flowers, then away she ran
+to the best room.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, mother,” she called, a minute later,
+“do come and see the room.” Mrs. Weston
+stopped in the doorway.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Wal’, I do declare,” she ejaculated, “I
+must say that does look pretty. Why,
+Randy, you do have a real knack to fix it
+up so. Them flowers brighten up the place
+wonderful, and that sparrowgrass just beats
+anything.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, I’m so glad you like it, mother!
+Would you put some on the mantel if you
+were me?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’d put some anywhere,” said her
+mother, wiping her eyes with the corner of
+her apron. “I declare I’d actually forgotten
+how much the blossoms cheer up the
+house. I used to bring them in when I
+was first married, but ever sence I’ve been
+too busy to think of anything but cookin’,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_78'></a>78</span>
+sweepin’, sewin’, and mendin’ from Monday
+’til Saturday; but, Randy, if you’re a mind
+to, you may bring in a few blossoms once
+in a while. It seems like the time when I
+used to fix up the house, and myself too,
+for that matter.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Mrs. Weston was a reserved woman, and
+Randy was amazed that her mother should
+show so much feeling, and delighted that
+her efforts at decoration were approved.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I wish I had something to hang down
+from the mantel in some way. I don’t
+know how to say it, but I know just how
+it ought to look.” A moment Randy stood
+thinking with a queer little scowl over her
+eyes. Then her face brightened, and out
+of the room she darted, then across the
+yard to the old well around whose sides the
+wild morning glory clambered. Lifting her
+skirt, she filled it with the long vines and
+hurried back to the house.
+</p>
+<p>
+She filled a small stone jar with water,
+carried it to the front room and stood it in
+the centre of the mantel, and then proceeded
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_79'></a>79</span>
+to fill it with long sprays of the morning
+glory. When all the vines were thus disposed
+of, she inspected her work.
+</p>
+<p>
+“There, you couldn’t have done better,”
+said her mother, and Randy felt rewarded
+for her efforts. Then they turned to go
+back to the kitchen, and there, in the doorway,
+stood Helen Dayton. Randy started.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Forgive me for startling you, and also
+for coming in without knocking. I was
+out for a walk, and coming up the hill I
+thought of your invitation. I walked
+toward the house and was about to knock
+when this little puss offered to lead me
+through the house to you.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m sure you’re welcome any time, Miss
+Dayton, and this girl of mine,” laying her
+hand on Randy’s arm, “has been so eager
+to see you again I do’no what would have
+become of her if you had waited long to
+come.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy blushed, and Helen Dayton laughed
+and said that she was very glad to be so
+welcome. Then she chatted pleasantly
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_80'></a>80</span>
+with Mrs. Weston “just as if she had
+always known her,” as Randy afterward
+said.
+</p>
+<p>
+While she was talking, a little book which
+lay upon Miss Dayton’s lap fell to the floor
+and flew open, showing a page of bright
+little sketches, and Randy and Prue stared
+at it in wonder. “My sketch book,” said
+Miss Dayton. “I am not an artist, but I
+have a bit of talent and have studied a
+little, and when I go out for a walk I jot
+down a part of a birch tree, a few wild
+flowers, or some tall weeds beside an old
+wall. Take the book and look at it if you
+like,” she added, as she caught the eager
+look upon Randy’s face.
+</p>
+<p>
+Gladly Randy picked up the little book.
+The drawings were not wonderful, only
+rather clever, but to the country girl, who
+had never seen a sketch, they were truly
+charming. Randy looked at each little
+picture at least a dozen times, always telling
+Prue in a whisper that she must not
+put her little fingers on them.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_81'></a>81</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“However did you do them?” asked
+Randy. “I didn’t know that anybody
+ever did such beautiful things.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Thank you for liking them,” said Helen;
+“but you must not call them beautiful.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“But,” said Randy, “that old mullein
+stalk looks just like a mullein, and those
+birches look just ’s if you could strip the
+bark off.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Helen laughed at Randy’s enthusiasm.
+“Sometime, when I come,” said she, “I
+will make a sketch of your old well.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Our well!” said Randy, “would that
+look pretty in a picture?” Helen was
+amused. “You shall see,” said she; “and
+now tell me who arranged the flowers and
+vines so prettily?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I did,” said Randy; “I did it to please
+you,” and Randy, the sketch book still in
+her hand, looked up into the lovely face.
+</p>
+<p>
+Helen Dayton laid a gentle hand on
+Randy’s shoulder, saying sweetly, “Thank
+you so much, but tell me why you so
+wished to please me?”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_82'></a>82</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Because you are the very loveliest girl
+I ever saw in this world,” and then Randy
+blushed and looked down to cover her confusion.
+</p>
+<p>
+“And because you are the princess,”
+chimed in Prue, who had been still an
+unusually long time.
+</p>
+<p>
+“The princess!” echoed Helen. “Whatever
+do you mean, dear? I am not a
+princess,” and Randy hastened to explain.
+She told all about the fairy book, and how
+on Sunday in church little Prue had felt
+sure that Miss Dayton was the princess of
+the fairy tales.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, of all things!” said Helen; “now
+I must assure you, little one, that I am not
+a princess, only Helen Dayton of Boston.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“But you look like one,” persisted the
+child, looking at her with round, admiring
+eyes. Mrs. Weston had slipped from the
+room, while the children entertained their
+visitor, and as she bustled about the
+kitchen, doing many things, she murmured
+softly to herself, “Randy’s right, the girl
+<em>is</em> lovely.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_83'></a>83</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+A pretty picture they made—the young
+girl and the two children—as they sat in
+the best room, chatting now like old
+acquaintances. Helen had taken little
+Prue upon her lap, where she sat looking
+admiringly up into that young lady’s face,
+while Randy sat beside her on the floor,
+telling her all her small confidences.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Randy’s such a homely name,” she was
+saying. “’Tain’t so bad as Jerushy, but
+it’s homely enough.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“But that isn’t the whole name, is it?
+Isn’t it ‘Miranda’?” asked Helen.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, yes,” said Randy, “and it sounds
+almost fine when you say it; but, generally,
+it’s just Randy. And there’s Prue.
+Her name is Prudence, after Aunt Prudence.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Who’s just horrid,” said Prue, so vehemently
+that Helen and Randy laughed.
+After a pause Randy asked, abruptly, “If
+you belong in Boston, how could you come
+here to board; Boston’s a city, my geography
+says so, and this is just country.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_84'></a>84</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“That is just why I came here,” said
+Helen. “The spring found me very tired,
+after a long, gay winter, and I came here
+to be quiet, and get rested.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“How funny!” said Randy. “I was
+wishing and wishing the other day that
+it wasn’t always so quiet here, and the
+other night when father was talking to
+Jason Meade about buying the big piece
+of meadow land, Mr. Meade was saying
+that he was going to Boston for a spell—he’s
+been there once—and he told about
+the streets full of people, and cars running
+all day, and teams and everything; and
+I did wish things would fly around here
+awhile.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy paused for breath, and looking at
+the pretty, eager face, Helen stooped, and
+touching the curly head ever so lightly
+with her lips she said, “Dear Randy, I’ll
+try to stir things up a bit, and we will see
+if we cannot have some pleasant times
+while I am here.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, will you?” said Randy, eagerly.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_85'></a>85</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“I never went anywhere ’cept to a sewing-circle
+once.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“What will you do?” asked Prue.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, you shall see,” said Helen, laughingly.
+“We are planning a picnic now,”
+said she, “and if we really have it, I’ll
+invite you, and you shall go with me.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“With you!” said Randy. “I’d love to,
+but I shouldn’t look fit,” and she looked
+admiringly at Helen Dayton’s dainty outing
+suit, and glanced up at the trim sailor hat
+perched upon her pretty head.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, you will look every bit fine enough
+with a shade hat—we shall all wear broad-brimmed
+hats—and a clean gingham dress,”
+said Helen, cheerily.
+</p>
+<p>
+“But I’ve got nothing but sunbonnets,”
+said Randy, “’less father will buy me one
+next time he takes eggs and vegetables to
+the village. I mean to ask him to if that
+would be soon enough,” and she looked up
+eagerly at Helen.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, yes, indeed,” said Helen, “we’ve
+planned to have it in about two weeks.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_86'></a>86</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“I want to go, too,” said little Prue.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Of course, dear, so you shall,” said
+Helen, “and now I must be going, but I’ll
+tell you all about the picnic the next time
+we meet. Do you know where Mrs. Gray
+lives, Randy?”
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy laughed. “Of course I do,” said
+she.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, when father brings home your
+new shade hat, and of course he will, if you
+wish it so much, suppose you take a walk
+over to Mrs. Gray’s and make a little call
+upon me, and when you come bring the
+new hat with you; I shouldn’t wonder if I
+had something with which to trim it.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, I will, I will!” said Randy,
+eagerly, “and then you’ll tell me all
+about the picnic.”
+</p>
+<p>
+With sheer excitement little Prue was executing
+a funny little jig, which reminded
+Helen to inquire for the injured foot.
+</p>
+<p>
+“It’s all well. See!” and Prue hopped
+upon that one foot to assure her that it was
+quite itself again.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_87'></a>87</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“I should call that foot very well indeed,”
+said Helen. Then together they
+walked out to the kitchen where, bidding
+good morning to Mrs. Weston, Helen said
+that she had enjoyed her call, admired
+Randy’s tasteful decoration, and asked if
+she might borrow Randy once in a while.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, yes, you may have Randy whenever
+I can spare her,” said Mrs. Weston,
+“’though she seems so took up with you,
+and so delighted, that when she comes
+home from a call on you I’m afraid she’ll
+about tread on air.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Helen laughed, and taking Randy’s hand
+they walked together as far as the road where
+Randy, perched upon the wall, watched her
+new friend out of sight.
+</p>
+<p>
+Helen turned many times to wave her
+hand until a bend in the road hid her from
+view. Then Randy walked slowly to the
+house, followed by Prue, and as they walked
+they talked of nothing but Helen’s beauty
+and sweetness and the wonderful picnic.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_88'></a>88</span><a name='chVI' id='chVI'></a>CHAPTER VI—THE PICNIC</h2>
+<p>
+Mr. Weston had gone to market two
+days after Helen Dayton’s call upon Randy.
+He had laughed heartily at the description
+of the exact kind of shade hat which Randy
+wished for, and as he drove off he continued
+to laugh as Mrs. Weston called after him,
+“Remember, she wants a white hat; don’t,
+for mercy’s sake, come home with a brown
+one.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“And, father,” shrieked Randy, “remember
+to get a big one and one that isn’t too
+coarse.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes, yes, land sakes! I b’lieve I’ll bring
+ye home a dozen to pick from,” and the
+good man chuckled to himself—he had
+his own plan for doing Randy’s errand.
+His eggs and vegetables disposed of, he
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_89'></a>89</span>
+turned to start for home, when he ejaculated,
+“Bless me! if I didn’t most forgit
+Randy’s hat.” Back into the store he
+went. “What have ye got for hats?”
+said Mr. Weston. “My Randy’s set her
+mind on havin’ a fine shade hat for the
+picnic, and nothin’ but a white one will
+do.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Silas Barnes reached under his counter
+and brought forth a dozen straw hats,
+which lie spread out for Mr. Weston to
+select from.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Wal’, that beats all! Randy and her
+mother told me just how it ought to look,
+but I don’t see any difference in ’em, do
+you, Barnes?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, yes,” replied the genial storekeeper,
+“that one’s twice as fine as the
+other, an’ it’s worth twice as much.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Wal’, I guess it’s ’bout good enough
+for Randy, then, and I’ll take it.”
+</p>
+<p>
+When her father returned that night
+Randy met him at the door, and with a
+little cry of delight took the parcel which
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_90'></a>90</span>
+he handed her, and she could not find
+words to express her pleasure when the
+fresh, white hat lay before her on the
+table.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Dear me! Ye might have had one
+before, if it delights ye so,” said her
+mother; “I didn’t think of it before,
+because most every girl here wears a
+sunbonnet.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, I’ve got it now,” said Randy,
+“and to-morrow I’ll go over to Miss Dayton’s
+and she’ll trim it for me; she said
+she would.” On the following day, true
+to her promise, Helen gave Randy a cordial
+welcome, and trimmed the hat with
+some gay ribbons which, although not
+new, were very pretty, and to Randy
+seemed nothing short of gorgeous.
+</p>
+<p>
+On the day of the picnic no happier
+heart than Randy Weston’s beat fast with
+anticipation; and with Prue’s hand held
+tightly in her own she started, as they
+had planned, for Mrs. Gray’s house to join
+Helen.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_91'></a>91</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Don’t forget to take care of Prue,”
+called her mother.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I won’t forget,” answered Randy.
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Weston stepped back into the house
+after watching the children until a bend
+in the road concealed them from view,
+and sat down for a moment before going
+out to the field. “I tell ye what, mother,”
+said he, “I mean those girls shall have a
+chance. I’d no idee what a difference
+there was between a hat and a sunbunnit.
+I say, why don’t you have a new
+bunnit yourself, mother? You were every
+bit as pretty as our Randy when you were
+young, and I b’lieve you’d look a good deal
+the same now, with a little fixin’. Just see
+the difference in Randy with a bran’ new
+hat! When we was a-payin’ off the mortgage
+we had to scrimp; but now, I think
+ye might have a few duds, once in a while.”
+</p>
+<p>
+He stopped, expecting a rebuff, and was
+surprised when his wife turned with a
+sweet smile and said, “I b’lieve I will
+have just a few things.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_92'></a>92</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Ye can have what ye want,” was the
+hearty rejoinder, “and we’ll go to the village
+next week and do some shoppin’,”
+and with a jolly whistle he started for the
+barn.
+</p>
+<p>
+When they arrived at Mrs. Gray’s, the
+children were surprised to find almost every
+man, woman, and child who had been invited
+to the picnic already there, and, as
+they were all talking at once, it was impossible
+to understand what any one person
+was saying.
+</p>
+<p>
+Very conscious of her new hat was
+Randy, and she longed to find Helen that
+she might talk with her. She knew that
+any one with whom she stopped to speak
+would mention her new finery, so she only
+nodded pleasantly to the girls whom she
+passed, and walked toward the house, hoping
+there to find Helen. Helen saw her
+and came out to meet her; but as Randy
+passed the Babson girls, she heard Phœbe
+Small say to them: “Look at Randy
+Weston! Isn’t she getting fine!”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_93'></a>93</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Dunno how fine she is,” responded Belinda
+Babson; “but I don’t see as she need
+walk right by us, just because she’s got a
+new hat.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Poor Randy! She had not the least idea
+of being vain or silly. “Why need the
+girls spoil the fun of my having a new hat,”
+said she, and a hot flush crept up on her
+cheek, but soon Helen’s merry chatter
+caused Randy to forget Phœbe’s unkindness,
+and she was laughing and talking as
+gayly as Helen herself.
+</p>
+<p>
+Miss Dobbs, the little soprano of the
+choir, hearing Randy’s laugh, turned and
+smiled, an unusual thing for her to do, saying:
+“How are ye, Randy? That’s a dreadful
+pretty hat.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I like it,” said Randy, simply, although
+her eyes showed her delight that some one
+should approve of it. “Miss Dayton
+trimmed it for me; didn’t she do it lovely?”
+continued Randy, anxious that her new
+friend should have all the glory which belonged
+to her for her millinery skill.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_94'></a>94</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Umph!” ejaculated Miss Dobbs, “they
+do say you’re pretty int’mit with Miss Dayton,
+considering she’s from the city.”
+Randy moved away, pleased with the compliment
+for her hat, but hurt by the last
+remark. “‘Considering she’s from the
+city,’” thought Randy. “Anybody’d think
+I asked her to be pleasant to me. Why, I
+wouldn’t have dared to. She wanted to be
+nice, and I was glad enough to let her,” and
+she brushed away a tear and forced back a
+sob which rose in her throat.
+</p>
+<p>
+Just then something happened to cheer
+Randy and give her a wee bit of triumph.
+</p>
+<p>
+Phœbe Small moved toward Randy and
+fastening her small eyes disapprovingly
+upon the offending hat, she was about to
+speak, when, without noticing Phœbe at all,
+Jotham Potts walked awkwardly up to
+Randy, and, standing upon one foot, then
+shifting to the other, he said: “Morning,
+Randy! Be you going to walk to the picnic
+or ride? Because,” he continued, “I
+told father I’d like to have you ride with us,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_95'></a>95</span>
+seein’s we have a spare seat, and he said
+he’d be pleased to have your company.
+Will ye come, Randy? I do wish ye
+would.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’d like to, and thank you,” answered
+Randy, sweetly, with a blush and a glance
+at Phœbe Small, who pretended not to have
+heard, “but I promised to go in Mr. Gray’s
+team with Miss Dayton, so I’ll have to.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I wish ye was goin’ with us, but as
+ye can’t, I’ll see ye at the picnic,” said
+Jotham, and he turned to get into his
+father’s wagon; then, stepping back to
+where Randy was standing, he blushed, and
+from his pocket produced a little package.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Here, Randy,” he said, “I brought this
+a purpose for you to enjoy durin’ the ride,
+so I guess I’ll give it to ye now.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, thank you,” said Randy, “how
+good you are,” and that so completely overcame
+Jotham that he retired in confusion.
+By this time the party was about ready to
+start. The choir had decided to go in the
+first wagon and enliven the way by singing,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_96'></a>96</span>
+and were still discussing as to a selection
+from their scant repertoire.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Ye needn’t ask me to join ye,” said
+Silas Barnes, “and sing ‘Chany,’”—he
+meant China—“for I don’t think that’s
+gay enough for a picnic.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Miss Hobson suggested that they might
+please Mr. Barnes by singing “Yankee
+Doodle.” This was meant to suggest that
+Silas Barnes was too frivolous, but he did
+not, apparently, feel injured, as he laughingly
+answered that he would “rather be
+patriotic than mournful, and he reely
+guessed they’d better settle upon ‘Yankee
+Doodle,’ as Miss Hobson suggested.”
+</p>
+<p>
+On one end of the door-stone old Mrs.
+Perkins had just convinced her neighbor,
+Mrs. Johnson, that it was just the right time
+of the year to gather ‘pennyroyal’ and
+mouse-ear, and so have them a-drying, and
+Mrs. Buffum had gathered the six little
+Buffums under her wing by uttering this
+awful threat:—
+</p>
+<p>
+“Johnny! Johnny Buffum! do you and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_97'></a>97</span>
+Hitty want to go to the picnic? Katie!
+do you and Jack and Sophy and Ann want
+to stay at home? Well, then, come here,
+or the first thing you’ll know the wagons’ll
+go without ye!”
+</p>
+<p>
+From all directions the six young Buffums
+rushed and crowded closely around
+their mother. Stay at home from their
+first picnic? Never!
+</p>
+<p>
+At last every one had arrived, and they
+lost no time in clambering into the waiting
+wagons; then away they jogged
+toward the grove.
+</p>
+<p>
+Farmer Gray had taken his wife and
+Helen Dayton, Randy and little Prue in
+one wagon, and had told his other boarders
+that they were welcome to fill his two
+remaining wagons, allotting places as they
+chose.
+</p>
+<p>
+The wagon with the choir had started
+first, and Randy and Helen could still
+faintly hear the stirring strains of “Yankee
+Doodle.” Randy sat with sparkling
+eyes, enjoying the ride as she had never
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_98'></a>98</span>
+enjoyed one before. Had she not a fine
+new hat? Was she not beside the beautiful
+Miss Dayton? and had not Jotham, to
+the envy of the other girls, given her a
+package purchased expressly for her?
+</p>
+<p>
+“What you got in your bundle what
+Jotham gave you, Randy?” asked Prue.
+“Will you let me see?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes, do let us see,” said Helen Dayton;
+“I know it must be something nice.”
+</p>
+<p>
+So Randy untied the package and found
+a lot of huge pink and white peppermints,
+which Prue at once commenced to help
+her eat. Helen pronounced them to be
+very nice, but as she never liked peppermints,
+politely excused herself from eating
+them by saying that she must save her
+appetite for the spread at the picnic.
+</p>
+<p>
+Along the dusty road they jogged, Randy
+never minding the heat, Helen feeling it
+intensely, even with the protection of her
+dainty ruffled parasol. Sometimes they
+rode under overhanging boughs which
+made long, cool shadows across the road,
+then over a sunny, dusty stretch with only
+a fringe of daisies by the roadside and a
+chain of hazy blue hills in the distance.
+</p>
+<div><a name='f098' id='f098'></a></div>
+<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='i005' id='i005'></a>
+<img src="images/illus-098.jpg" alt="On the Way to the Picnic" title=""/><br />
+<span class='caption'>On the Way to the Picnic</span>
+</div>
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_99'></a>99</span></div>
+<p>
+The occupants of one wagon would chat
+merrily with those in the wagon behind
+them; and so, with sunny and shady roads,
+with laughter and song, they at last reached
+the grove.
+</p>
+<p>
+The horses were unharnessed and tethered
+with a rope long enough to permit
+them to graze. The baskets of lunch were
+all placed in one large wagon which stood
+in the shade of a huge tree. Then intimate
+friends and neighbors formed little groups
+and sat under the trees and chatted together,
+delighted to have this little outing.
+The children played hide-and-seek behind
+the tree trunks, and those farmers who had
+left their work to enjoy the holiday talked
+over their crops, their cattle, and the price of
+produce when disposed of at the village store.
+</p>
+<p>
+The Babson girls were each trying in an
+awkward fashion to win favor in the eyes
+of Reuben Jenks, who Phœbe Small declared “had a
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_100'></a>100</span>
+hull basketful of maple
+sugar stored away under the seat of his
+father’s wagon.”
+</p>
+<p>
+When Reuben had spoken of the picnic
+his mother, who was, to express it mildly,
+a frugal woman, had said that she, for one,
+didn’t approve of picnics. “Folks eat four
+times as much at a picnic as they do at
+home, and ain’t no better satisfied,” she
+declared; but after much urging she consented
+to go, saying: “A lot of maple
+sugar’ll be all I’ll take. Sweets take
+away folks’ appetites, and folks that eat
+my maple sugar won’t want much else.”
+</p>
+<p>
+But try as they would, neither Belinda’s
+nor Jemima’s blandishments brought forward
+any of the desired sugar. Now Reuben
+liked the girls well enough, and his
+boyish vanity was pleased by their evident
+liking for his society. He was a generous
+little fellow and would gladly have treated
+his friends, but his mother’s eyes were upon
+him, and he said afterward, he “just didn’t
+dare.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_101'></a>101</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Jotham Potts, hearing Helen say that
+she liked water cresses, gallantly offered
+to go and find some, assuring her that he
+knew just where they grew.
+</p>
+<p>
+Helen, Randy, and Prue sat under a
+large tree, and Helen promised, since
+Randy was so charmed with fairy tales,
+to tell some which she knew they had
+never heard. She told them tales from
+Grimm’s wonderful book, pleasantly answering
+Prue’s funny questions regarding
+them. When she related the story of the
+“Gold Children,” little Prue’s eyes dilated
+with wonder.
+</p>
+<p>
+“It’s just beautiful,” said Randy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“If they were clear, solid gold how could
+they move or stir?” asked Prue.
+</p>
+<p>
+Helen laughed, and patted the little girl’s
+cheek as she said: “Dear little girl, you
+mustn’t ask questions which have no answers.
+Remember the fairy tales are not
+true, only amusing.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Having told story after story, Helen
+became a bit weary, and she proposed that
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_102'></a>102</span>
+the children should gather a few flowers,
+saying that she would twine them into a
+lovely wreath for Prue’s curly head.
+</p>
+<p>
+Off went the children to search for the
+finest blossoms to heap in Helen’s lap.
+Soon little Prue hastened back with three
+large daisies and a buttercup, asking if they
+were quite enough to make a wreath.
+“No, indeed,” said Helen, “I must have
+ever so many more.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Away ran Prue, shouting to the children,
+“Miss Dayton says it takes a nawful lot
+more.” Soon other children came running
+to Helen with little hands full of buttercups
+and daisies, until she cried, “Enough, more
+than enough!” and commenced the weaving
+of the wreath.
+</p>
+<p>
+The children watched her dainty fingers,
+as with airy grace they fashioned it, and
+when she twined the ends of the garland together,
+and placed the finished wreath upon
+Prue’s head, their delight knew no bounds.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, Miss Dayton, you can do anything,
+can’t you?” said Belinda Babson.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_103'></a>103</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, no, indeed!” said Helen, “there
+are many, many things which I cannot do.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Then they spread the table-cloth upon
+the grass, and “put the picnic on it,” as Prue
+said. Prue’s idea of a picnic was a lunch
+out of doors, and until the luncheon made
+its appearance, she felt that the picnic had
+not even commenced. Then suddenly clapping
+her chubby hands, and dancing in a
+manner which threatened to dislodge her
+flower crown, she said, “May I wear this
+wreath while I eat my lunch?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, do,” said Helen, “it is really very
+becoming.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Every one seemed anxious that Helen
+should sit as guest of honor at the spread,
+so, with children on either side, she took
+her place, and deftly put each one present
+at ease with her bright, pleasant conversation;
+now saying a kind word to old Mrs.
+Dewing, that she might not feel neglected, or
+laughing lightly at Farmer Morse’s clumsy
+wit, noticing Randy’s gentle manner with
+her little sister, and at the same time, with
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_104'></a>104</span>
+ready tact, seeming unmindful of the practised
+hand with which Jack Marden handled
+his pie with his knife.
+</p>
+<p>
+So with laughter and gay chatter the
+lunch was eaten and cleared away, and
+some one proposed some games.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Let’s play ‘On the green carpet,’” said
+Phœbe Small, and a chorus of voices echoed:
+“Oh, yes! Let’s play that first;” so, joining
+hands, they sang the old tune as they
+danced about Helen, whom they insisted
+should first stand in the centre.
+</p>
+<p>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“And&nbsp;&nbsp;choose&nbsp;&nbsp;the&nbsp;&nbsp;one<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That&nbsp;&nbsp;you&nbsp;&nbsp;love&nbsp;&nbsp;best,”<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+sang the children.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I choose Randy,” said Helen, much to
+Randy’s delight.
+</p>
+<p>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Give&nbsp;&nbsp;her&nbsp;&nbsp;a&nbsp;&nbsp;kiss&nbsp;&nbsp;and&nbsp;&nbsp;send&nbsp;&nbsp;her&nbsp;&nbsp;away,<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And&nbsp;&nbsp;tell&nbsp;&nbsp;her&nbsp;&nbsp;you’ll&nbsp;&nbsp;call&nbsp;&nbsp;another&nbsp;&nbsp;day,”<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+sang the gay little troop, and Helen stooped,
+and taking Randy’s sweet face between her
+hands she kissed her and slipped from the
+ring. Around and about Randy they circled, and then
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_105'></a>105</span>
+she must choose. She longed
+to choose Helen, and turned toward her, but
+Helen said, “We must not keep choosing
+each other, Randy, because it is more fun
+to change about,” so Randy turned with a
+puzzled face, wondering whom to choose.
+Seeing the little sister’s eager face, she
+decided at once. “I choose you, pussy,”
+said she.
+</p>
+<p>
+Into the ring sprang Prue. “Oh, Randy,”
+said the child, “you did love me best, didn’t
+you?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Of course,” said Randy; “but now we
+know, Prue, that you love me best, you
+choose the one you love next best, because
+that’s the way to play it;” so, wondering
+much whom the child would favor, Randy
+left her in the circle. But it did not take
+dear little Prue a great while to decide.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Next to Randy, I guess I like you,
+Jotham, so I choose you,” said the child.
+Every one laughed except Jotham, who,
+seeing the little girl’s lip quiver, said awkwardly,
+yet very kindly, “You’re a nice
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_106'></a>106</span>
+little girl, Prue, and I’m real proud to have
+you choose me;” at which Prue’s spirits
+rose, and, turning with one little hand in
+Jotham’s, she said: “You needn’t have
+laughed if I did choose a big boy. He’s
+very nice, and ’most always gives Randy
+candy, and she gives some to me.”
+</p>
+<p>
+This so amused every one that they commenced
+to pet Prue, and, much to Jotham’s
+delight, the game ended, for he felt that he
+could have chosen none but Randy as his
+favorite among his friends, and he realized
+that this would have been a trying ordeal
+for his diffidence.
+</p>
+<p>
+Many games they played that sunny
+afternoon, and so fast flew the hours that
+every one was surprised when Deacon Turnbull
+pulled out his great, old-fashioned
+“timepiece” and declared that it “wanted
+a quarter to six, and that they ought to be
+hitchin’ up and startin’ toward home.”
+</p>
+<p>
+So the baskets and pails were packed
+into the wagons, the horses harnessed, and
+the merry, tired party started homeward.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_107'></a>107</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Some of the picnickers were jolly, singing
+as they went along, others were too tired
+to sing; but all were unanimous in voting
+the picnic a success, many declaring that
+it was just wonderful how Miss Dayton
+planned it, and that they didn’t know when
+they’d had such a good time. The ride
+with Helen was delightful to the two children,
+Randy looking admiringly at Helen
+all the way and talking little. She was
+really too happy for conversation.
+</p>
+<p>
+Not so with little Prue. She sat between
+Helen and Randy, and all the way home
+her chatter was interspersed with snatches
+of the songs which had been a part of their
+games.
+</p>
+<p>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“‘On&nbsp;&nbsp;the&nbsp;&nbsp;green&nbsp;&nbsp;carpet&nbsp;&nbsp;here&nbsp;&nbsp;we&nbsp;&nbsp;stand,<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Take&nbsp;&nbsp;your&nbsp;&nbsp;true&nbsp;&nbsp;love&nbsp;&nbsp;by&nbsp;&nbsp;the&nbsp;&nbsp;hand,<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Give&nbsp;&nbsp;her&nbsp;&nbsp;a&nbsp;&nbsp;kiss&nbsp;&nbsp;and&nbsp;&nbsp;send&nbsp;&nbsp;her&nbsp;&nbsp;away,<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And&nbsp;&nbsp;tell&nbsp;&nbsp;her—’<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s just the best picnic I ever saw, wasn’t
+it, Randy?”
+</p>
+<p>
+Before Randy could answer, out rang the
+childish treble again:—
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_108'></a>108</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“‘Sailor&nbsp;&nbsp;in&nbsp;&nbsp;er&nbsp;&nbsp;boat&nbsp;&nbsp;when&nbsp;&nbsp;the&nbsp;&nbsp;tide&nbsp;&nbsp;runs&nbsp;&nbsp;high,<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sailor&nbsp;&nbsp;in&nbsp;&nbsp;er&nbsp;&nbsp;boat&nbsp;&nbsp;when&nbsp;&nbsp;the&nbsp;&nbsp;tide&nbsp;&nbsp;runs&nbsp;&nbsp;high,<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sailor&nbsp;&nbsp;in&nbsp;&nbsp;er&nbsp;&nbsp;boat&nbsp;&nbsp;when&nbsp;&nbsp;the&nbsp;&nbsp;tide&nbsp;&nbsp;runs&nbsp;&nbsp;high,<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Waiting&nbsp;&nbsp;for&nbsp;&nbsp;a&nbsp;&nbsp;pretty&nbsp;&nbsp;girl&nbsp;&nbsp;to—’<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, Miss Dayton, don’t you think Jotham’s
+’most as nice as a prince? I do,” said Prue,
+without waiting for an answer, although she
+looked up in Miss Dayton’s face expectantly.
+</p>
+<p>
+Helen took Prue’s little dimpled hand in
+her own as she said: “All princes are not
+good, although many of them are very, very
+good indeed. Jotham has a good face, and
+I am sure when I really know him I shall
+like him very much. If he grows to be a
+good, brave, true man, that is worth much
+more than being a prince.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes’m,” said Prue, not quite catching
+Helen’s meaning, yet vaguely understanding
+that Jotham was fully appreciated.
+Prue’s curly head swayed a little, like a
+tired flower; and Helen, slipping her arm
+around her, drew her toward her, and soon
+the little girl’s head lay against her new
+friend.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_109'></a>109</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Still she sang, although drowsily:—
+</p>
+<p>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“‘Oh,&nbsp;&nbsp;what&nbsp;&nbsp;a&nbsp;&nbsp;beautiful&nbsp;&nbsp;choice&nbsp;&nbsp;you’ve&nbsp;&nbsp;made,<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Don’t&nbsp;&nbsp;you&nbsp;&nbsp;wish&nbsp;&nbsp;you’d&nbsp;&nbsp;longer&nbsp;&nbsp;stayed?’”<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+The last line was drawled out so slowly that
+Randy said, “Oh, wake up, Prue, you’re
+asleep.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I guess I ain’t sleepy, but my eyes feel
+’s if—” she was now really asleep just as
+they reached Farmer Gray’s door.
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Weston was waiting in the dooryard
+with his own team to take the children
+home, and, after an exchange of remarks
+with Mr. Gray regarding the weather and
+bluff, but hearty thanks to Miss Dayton for
+the children’s day of pleasure, he took little
+Prue in his arms, and, placing her in
+Randy’s lap, gathered up the reins, and
+with a resounding “g’lang there” the old
+mare ambled toward home.
+</p>
+<p>
+Mrs. Weston was at the door when they
+arrived. “Well, Randy,” said she, smiling.
+</p>
+<p>
+“<span class='sc'>Oh</span>, mother!” cried Randy, “it was
+just splendid, and we had such good times
+all day.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_110'></a>110</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“What! Prue asleep?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“No,” said little Prue, “I ain’t asleep,
+but my eyes feel funny, and we had gingerbread
+and peppermints, and cold sausage
+and lemonade, and ‘On the—green—carpet,’
+and I chose Jotham, and I had a wreath
+and some maple sugar, and it was all made
+of daisies and butter—cups—and—and,”
+but here she lost the thread of her story,
+and was carried upstairs and put in her
+bed.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_111'></a>111</span><a name='chVII' id='chVII'></a>CHAPTER VII—RANDY OUTWITS JASON MEADE</h2>
+<p>
+The day after the picnic was a busy one
+for Mrs. Weston, and Randy, eager to be
+helpful, was really a fine assistant. She
+washed all the dishes, allowing little Prue
+to wipe the spoons, knives, and forks because
+they would not break if dropped, then she
+thoroughly cleansed the milk cans and put
+them just outside the door to dry in the
+bright sunlight.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now, mother, what do you suppose I’m
+going to do next?” said Randy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I don’t know,” said her mother, “but
+ye have worked this morning like all
+possessed.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well,” said Randy, “I’m just going to
+bring in towels and aprons from the line
+and sprinkle and iron them, so’s you can
+sit down awhile after dinner.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_112'></a>112</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Mrs. Weston looked at the bright, flushed
+face a moment, then said: “I do declare,
+Randy, you’re a real help. There ain’t a
+better daughter in this town, if I do say it.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, mother,” said Randy, “I’d ’most
+work my fingers off just to hear you say
+that. I help you because I love you, though
+somehow I never ’til now could say it.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Mrs. Weston wiped her eyes with a corner
+of her apron, then, turning to Randy, she
+kissed her, saying: “Why, Randy, it does
+me good to hear you say it, and, child, ye
+must know I’m all bound up in you and
+Prue. We busy folks sometimes forget to
+show how much we really feel.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I mean,” said Randy, “to make you
+and father happy, always; sometimes I
+forget to help, but always I mean to.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I know ye do,” said her mother.
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy moved about the kitchen with a
+subtle sense of exhilaration. Her mother
+had always been kind and good, but to have
+her speak of her affection and say a word
+of approval for her helpfulness, what more
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_113'></a>113</span>
+could be needed to make a young girl happy?
+thought Randy.
+</p>
+<p>
+She sang little snatches of melody while
+she cleared the dinner table, and grasped
+the first leisure moment to steal out under
+the apple tree, thence toward the brook
+to the old stone wall. A large stone had
+toppled from the wall, and Randy sat down
+upon it to rest. She had intended to make
+a little call upon Miss Dayton, to talk over
+the events of the picnic, and to hear what
+her new friend had to tell her; for Helen
+had hinted that she had another good time
+planned, and she promised to tell Randy all
+about it when next they met.
+</p>
+<p>
+Tall alders grew luxuriantly almost the
+entire length of the wall, which served as
+a fence for one side of the pasture; and
+Randy, a bit tired with the forenoon’s work,
+easily fell into one of her day-dreams,
+when she was aroused by hearing voices
+behind the alders. There seemed to be two
+voices, and Randy heard them mention her
+father’s name. She was an honest girl
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_114'></a>114</span>
+who, under ordinary circumstances, would
+have scorned to listen; but something in
+the tone of the speaker’s voice seemed distinctly
+unfriendly when he spoke of her
+father, and Randy seemed, against her will,
+riveted to the spot and obliged to listen.
+She must have taken her place on the big
+stone when the conversation was well under
+way, but the sound of her own footsteps,
+while unheard by the earnest talkers, had
+prevented her from hearing their voices.
+She was invisible to them as they were to
+her, separated as they were by the alders.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now, I’ve tried and tried ’til I’m tired
+er tryin’ to sell Mr. Weston that piece er
+medder land er mine, ’n’ it would a been
+sold long ago if I hadn’t been bound to
+swap land instead er taking cash.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes, but I don’t see the great pint er
+not takin’ cash ef he’s fool enough to pay
+it,” said the second voice.
+</p>
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_115'></a>115</span></div>
+<div><a name='f115' id='f115'></a></div>
+<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='i006' id='i006'></a>
+<img src="images/illus-115.jpg" alt="“Nearer to the Wall she crept”" title=""/><br />
+<span class='caption'>“Nearer to the Wall she crept”</span>
+</div>
+<p>
+“I don’t s’pose ye do, ’til I tell ye. Ye
+haven’t been here fer years, ’n’ only come
+yisterday, an’ ef you was anybody under the
+sun but my own brother, I wouldn’t tell ye
+now.”
+</p>
+<p>
+How Randy’s heart beat! Surely, it was
+right to listen now. If any one meant to
+do her father harm, she must know it and
+warn him. Nearer to the wall she crept,
+with a stealth which she was unaware she
+possessed, and she tried to hush her breathing
+which came quick and hard.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Just listen to this, Jim. My wife’s just
+got back from a visit to her folks, I forgit
+the name of the town, ’though it’s on my
+tongue’s end this minute, and while she was
+there she heard say that they’re goin’ to
+run a railroad through this part of the
+town, next summer, jest a sort er branch
+road from the one that goes through the
+centre, and my wife never let on that she
+was much interested; but she asked ’nough
+questions, kinder keerful like, and she found
+that ef they <em>do</em> build the road, and she says
+the folks down that way say they do really
+mean to, it’ll be straight across that little
+bit er rocky field, back er Weston’s barn.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_116'></a>116</span>
+Now, I argy that Weston’s got money
+<em>’nough</em>, and I mean ter keep at him ’til he
+agrees ter swap that ’ere little pesky, rocky
+field er his’n fer my piece er medder land.
+The more I urge him the less he seems ter
+want ter swap, an’ I even offered to throw
+in a good young steer to boot, an’ all the
+satisfaction I could git out er him was,
+‘Wal’, I dunno what makes yer so anxious
+fer that little piece er land er mine.’
+</p>
+<p>
+“He don’t know nothin’ ’bout the railroad
+yet, but there’s no knowin’ how soon
+he will. My wife’s naggin’ me to make
+him swap, but I’d like to see her try to
+hurry Weston when he don’t intend to
+hurry; but I tell ye now, ef that ’ere road
+<em>does</em> run through his field, I mean ter own
+it <em>fust</em>, an’ I’m goin’ up ter night ter talk
+him inter it.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy now realized that the speaker’s
+voice was no other than Jason Meade’s.
+She was but fifteen, but she knew that if
+her father yielded to his neighbor’s urging,
+it would in some way mean loss to him.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_117'></a>117</span>
+All thought of her call upon Helen vanished,
+and in its place lay a great fear that she
+might be seen before she could get away
+from her hiding place and rush home.
+</p>
+<p>
+She was a bit cramped with her crouching
+pose behind the wall. Slowly she
+arose to her feet, glided along upon the
+grass, lest her footsteps should be heard,
+and, once in the grove, she sprang across
+the brook, dashed through the fields, up
+the path, and into the kitchen door, where
+she dropped upon a chair and tried to
+speak.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, Randy Weston! whatever ails
+ye? Ye look ’s if ye’d seen a ghost. Why,
+father,” as the girl did not speak, “jest
+come look at Randy. She’s been runnin’
+’til she’s clean tuckered out, ’n’ can’t seem
+to speak.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Weston came hastening in from the
+well with a pail of water, which he set
+down when he saw Randy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, Randy, child, what—”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, father,—the little rocky field behind
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_118'></a>118</span>
+the barn,—don’t sell it, don’t swap it; the
+railroad’s going through it; and oh, father,
+that’s why Jason Meade wants to make
+you swap it. It’s going to be worth lots
+and lots of money; he can’t <em>make</em> you
+swap it, can he, father?” and in her
+anxiety she sprang up and put her hands
+upon her father’s shoulders.
+</p>
+<p>
+“There, there, Randy, you’ve done your
+father a good turn this time, sure enough,
+ef it’s true. Sit down and tell me where
+ye heard all this.”
+</p>
+<p>
+So Randy, having regained her breath,
+told her anxious listeners the tale, beginning
+with her intended call upon Miss
+Dayton; how she strolled through the grove
+and across the brook, and sat down to rest
+upon the big stone by the wall, with the
+great alders behind her; how she had, at
+first sound of the voices, tried not to listen,
+and, on hearing an unfriendly voice mention
+her father’s name, she had, although
+afraid of detection, crept close to the wall,
+to hear if the men really meant to harm
+him.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_119'></a>119</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Then she had told all that she had heard,
+word for word, finishing with, “And, father,
+he <em>can’t</em> make you swap, can he? he seemed
+so determined.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Then Mr. Weston did a very unusual
+thing. Putting his arm around Randy, he
+drew her down upon his knee, where she
+had not sat since she was a little girl like
+Prue, and as he looked at her, with just a
+suspicion of moisture in his kind, blue eyes,
+he said, “Mother, we’ve got a girl to be
+proud of.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“And to be thankful for,” said Mrs.
+Weston.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Amen!” said Randy’s father, and he
+added, “Always be as brave and quick to
+do what’s right, Randy, as you have been
+to-day, even forgetting your own pleasure,
+and I will trust you anywhere.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Here little Prue, who had been awed
+into silence by the earnestness of the conversation,
+found her tongue once more, and
+piped in with, “Why, pa, my big sister
+Randy’s been good again. How can she be
+always good?”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_120'></a>120</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+They all laughed, and Randy, catching
+little Prue and giving her a tight hug, said:
+“I know who’s got the best little sister in
+all the world. I have, just as sure as your
+name is Prudence.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I like you to love me lots, Randy dear,
+but don’t you call me anything but Prue.
+‘Prudence’ makes me think of Aunt Prudence,
+and she looked all so,” and here
+Prue drew down her wee mouth, and puckered
+up her fair little forehead and brows
+into such a scowling imitation of Aunt
+Prudence, that even her father, who did
+not at all approve, could not help smiling
+at the dimpled copy of that lady’s unpleasant
+face.
+</p>
+<p>
+Soon Mrs. Weston had tea ready, and
+the family had but just finished the evening
+meal when a loud tap at the door
+announced some neighbor’s arrival. Mr.
+Weston looked at his wife, with a twinkle
+in his eye, as he arose to answer the
+knock.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, well, Jason, come in, come in!”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_121'></a>121</span>
+Thus Mr. Weston welcomed his crafty
+neighbor.
+</p>
+<p>
+“How are ye, Square Weston? I thought
+I’d jist drop in an’ see if you’d made up
+yer mind about that piece er land er
+mine.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, yes, I hev,” said Mr. Weston,
+looking his neighbor squarely in the face;
+“I told ye, a month ago, I’d give ye two
+hundred dollars in cash fer that big medder
+of yourn.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I know it, I know you did; but the
+thing is, I’ve took a reel fancy to that little
+rocky pasture er yourn, and I feel ’s if I’d
+lots rather have it, little as it is, than the
+cash, ’f you’ll believe me.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Jason Meade sat back in his chair with
+the bland air of a man who had done a
+good deed in praising his neighbor’s property.
+</p>
+<p>
+Mrs. Weston came out of the closet where
+she had been placing the dishes and stood
+by her husband’s chair, anxiously awaiting
+his answer. She knew his generous nature,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_122'></a>122</span>
+but she believed that this time he would be
+firm.
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy, who after tea had taken the fairy
+book to the table to read, now leaned forward
+with parted lips.
+</p>
+<p>
+Slowly Mr. Weston turned toward his
+neighbor, and a faint smile played about his
+lips as he said, “I’ll tell ye, Jason, I jist
+thought that while it ain’t so very val’able
+now, I’ve ’bout decided to keep it, for when
+the railroad comes clean through it, I’m
+thinkin’ I’ll be reel pleased to think it’s my
+property.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Jason Meade’s mouth opened to its
+widest extent, and to say that he was
+amazed, astonished, or surprised, would be
+expressing it very mildly indeed. He
+cleared his throat and blinked once or twice,
+then, as no suitable remark seemed to suggest
+itself he arose, and pushing back his
+chair, he said “he’d reely have to go as he’d
+got an arrant to do at Mrs. Gray’s.” He
+sheepishly made his way toward the door,
+and mumbling something about the weather,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_123'></a>123</span>
+he dejectedly stalked out with the air of a
+disappointed man.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, father,” said Randy, “he didn’t
+even ask you how you knew about the
+railroad.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Weston laughed as he said: “I guess
+he didn’t care how I knew. That I knew
+at all was what worried him.”
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_124'></a>124</span><a name='chVIII' id='chVIII'></a>CHAPTER VIII—TABLEAUX</h2>
+<p>
+One morning Miss Dayton sent a little
+hastily written note to Mrs. Weston, saying
+that she was planning another entertainment
+which she believed would be as
+enjoyable as the picnic had been, and asking
+if Randy might come over and help
+her make some preparations for the event.
+</p>
+<p>
+Mrs. Weston read the note, then re-read
+it to Randy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, may I go, could you spare me?”
+said Randy, eagerly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, yes indeed,” said her mother;
+“there is less than usual to do to-day, and
+nothing at all after dinner. Fly ’round
+and get cleared up, and you can put on
+your clean red and white gingham and
+your new hat and go over early.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_125'></a>125</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Fly ’round!” Randy did fly, and by
+two o’clock she was off down the road,
+walking as fast as her feet and her enthusiasm
+would take her.
+</p>
+<p>
+What could Miss Dayton be planning,
+thought Randy, as she hastened toward the
+farm-house where Helen was staying.
+</p>
+<p>
+Helen saw her coming and opened the
+door, smiling at Randy’s questioning face,
+which expressed a world of interest in
+Helen’s scheme, whatever it might be.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Come right in, take off your hat, and
+sit down and I will tell you all about my
+plan for an evening’s pleasure. You know
+I promised when I first met you that I
+would try to make this summer just a bit
+gay during my stay here. Now I believe
+we shall all enjoy an evening of tableaux,”
+but here Helen was obliged to pause and
+explain just what tableaux were, “and,”
+she continued, “I think that any one of
+the large girls who attended the picnic,
+and a few of the little ones, will make a
+very nice set of pictures.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_126'></a>126</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, I should think it would be lovely,
+but,” Randy added doubtfully, “what could
+we wear that would be nice enough for pictures
+or tab—”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Tableaux,” said Helen.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes, tableaux,” said Randy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I will agree to furnish the costumes,”
+said Miss Dayton; “they will not have to
+be very fine to look extremely pretty in
+the frame. Mr. Gray has made me a fine
+frame which you and I will cover with
+evergreen. Then Mrs. Gray has two
+bracket lamps which we will fasten to
+the back of the frame to light up the pictures,
+and I have a lot of odds and ends of
+pretty things in my trunks which will be
+sufficiently bright and gay for costumes.
+Now let us go at once to the barn and
+decorate the frame.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Gray’s man, Roger, had just brought
+in an immense load of evergreen. Randy
+was all eagerness to help, and together
+they worked all the afternoon.
+</p>
+<p>
+When she left for home the frame was
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_127'></a>127</span>
+thickly covered. There was evergreen and
+asparagus over the pictures in the “best
+room” where they were to exhibit to the
+townspeople their tableaux, and Randy
+had seen her costume which Helen had
+designed.
+</p>
+<p>
+Miss Dayton was an ardent admirer of
+Greuze, and she possessed many photographic
+reproductions of his paintings.
+She also owned a number of photographs
+of Sir Joshua Reynold’s portraits of beautiful
+women and children, and knowing
+the bareness of the walls in the average
+New England farm-house, she had brought
+these pictures with her to decorate her
+room during her stay. She intended to
+copy these beautiful pictures in the list of
+tableaux which she arranged.
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy was spellbound when she saw the
+photographs. “Oh, Miss Dayton,” cried
+she, “do you really think any of us will
+do?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, yes indeed,” laughed Helen, “I
+have you all selected now. You are to
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_128'></a>128</span>
+be the girl with the broken pitcher in the
+painting by Greuze. Would you like to
+see your costume?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I guess I should like to,” answered
+Randy, excitedly clapping her hands; so
+Helen showed her a waist with large,
+loose sleeves, a kerchief or scarf, and a
+wide ribbon “to tie up her bonny brown
+hair.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy went home in a fever of excitement.
+Think of a girl of fifteen who had
+never witnessed an entertainment of any
+kind, and you will understand with what
+delight she looked forward to an evening
+of tableaux in which she would take part.
+</p>
+<p>
+Miss Dayton called upon those girls
+who she thought would like to pose for
+the tableaux, and every one was invited
+to be present.
+</p>
+<p>
+The girls, both large and small, were
+delighted, and their elders were quite as
+pleased with the promise of an evening’s
+enjoyment, and every invitation was enthusiastically
+accepted. Mrs. Gray’s attic
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_129'></a>129</span>
+proved a perfect treasure room. She generously
+offered the contents of all the old
+trunks to Helen, saying, “If you see anything
+which you can make use of, I shall
+be truly glad.” Mrs. Gray had been a city
+girl, and had spent the greater part of her
+married life there, and she brought to the
+farm-house many trunks containing faded
+finery, which, while far too good to be
+thrown away, were of but little use in
+that small country town. Helen chose
+those things which she could best utilize
+and carried them down to the front room,
+where she deposited them behind an improvised
+screen.
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy thought the evening would never
+come; so did little Prue, for she, too, was to
+be one of the “tab things,” as she called
+them. She could not remember the word
+“tableaux.”
+</p>
+<p>
+But the evening did arrive, and with it
+all the girls whom Helen had drilled for
+the proper posing, all of the boys who
+were curious to see the girls “fixed up for
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_130'></a>130</span>
+pictures,” as Reuben Jenks had expressed
+it, and all of the farmers and their wives,
+who were nearly as excited as the young
+people.
+</p>
+<p>
+Mrs. Gray and Helen received the friends
+and neighbors as they arrived, showing
+them the photographs on the walls and telling
+them that the girls, correctly dressed,
+would look very much like pictures when
+seen in the frame.
+</p>
+<p>
+The frame was in place with a dark
+background behind it, and stretching from
+either side of the frame to the side walls
+of the room were some old brocatelle curtains
+which Helen had found in Mrs. Gray’s
+attic. These curtained spaces served as
+dressing rooms.
+</p>
+<p>
+Besides the tableaux Helen had planned
+quite a little programme, and although
+much drilling had been necessary, each
+performer was perfect in her part.
+</p>
+<p>
+Jotham Potts had, after much urging,
+agreed to read the programme, and Helen
+had promised to contribute a song, and a
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_131'></a>131</span>
+piano solo which should be the opening
+number.
+</p>
+<p>
+The hum of conversation rose loud and
+cheery, and so lively did it become that it
+was impossible to hear a completed sentence.
+</p>
+<p>
+“They say your Phœbe’s goin’ to be a
+dreadful pretty picture to-night.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“What’s she goin’ to—”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Wal’, I dunno, seems Miss Dayton thinks
+our Jotham has a good voice, so she asked
+him to read the—I forgit what you call it,
+but anyhow I guess—”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes, Miss Dayton says my hair is
+auburn and not red, and she says—”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, ef here isn’t Mis’ Weston’s little
+Prue!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes’m, I’m going to be one of the tab
+things, and sing a little tune what Miss
+Dayton learned—no, taught me,” said the
+little girl, very proud to think that she had
+remembered the correction.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, I think she’s real nice to come
+up here and plan such good times,” but
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_132'></a>132</span>
+here Helen tapped upon the piano, and the
+conversation ceased so abruptly that one
+might think that the audience held its
+breath.
+</p>
+<p>
+The girls rushed behind the curtains on
+either side of the frame, and Jotham Potts,
+clearing his throat, read the first number
+for the evening.
+</p>
+<p>
+Helen had drilled him in pronouncing
+those names which he found difficult, and
+very clearly he read,—
+</p>
+<p>
+“Our first number will be a piano solo by
+Miss Dayton, entitled, ‘Marche Militaire.’”
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Potts nudged his wife, saying, in a
+loud whisper, “Our Jotham did that just
+like a city feller, didn’t he?” His wife
+ejaculated “Sh—,” but she smiled and
+nodded, for she was of the same opinion.
+</p>
+<p>
+Helen in her white muslin looked very
+beautiful, as she took her seat at the piano.
+That piano was the only one in town, and
+the only one that many of the audience had
+ever heard. Helen was a good musician,
+and the piece, grand in itself, rang out brilliantly,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_133'></a>133</span>
+to the great delight of every one
+present, and many were the words of praise
+which reached her ears when she arose.
+One voice, bolder than the others, said,
+“That’s what I call great; just one more
+piece, Miss Dayton, ef it ain’t asking too
+much.”
+</p>
+<p>
+This was an honest if unceremonious
+encore, so Helen seated herself once more,
+and for those simple country people played
+a brilliant polacca.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Wal’, ’twas all I could do to keep from
+dancin’, I dew declare,” said old Deacon
+Turnbull, which made every one laugh, as
+the deacon was a very dignified old man.
+</p>
+<p>
+Helen rose and saying, “Now, Jotham,”
+she stepped behind the curtains. “Our
+next number,” announced Jotham, “will
+be a tableau as nearly as possible like the
+painting entitled ‘The Age of Innocence.’”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s it over there,” said Mrs. Buffum
+to her husband, pointing at the photograph
+on the wall, and every one looked that way.
+When the curtain was drawn aside, there
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_134'></a>134</span>
+was chubby little Hitty Buffum, her hands
+clasped upon her breast, a wee bit of a
+smile on her parted lips—a very good
+counterpart of Sir Joshua Reynolds’s picture.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh! oh my! She looks just like it.
+Isn’t she cunnin’?” and similar remarks
+greeted the little girl in the first tableau.
+She had done her very best for Miss Dayton.
+Then the curtain swung across the frame
+and Jotham announced, “The next number
+will be a song by little Miss Weston.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I didn’t know as the Weston children
+could sing, did you?” queried one neighbor,
+but there was no time for an answer,
+for little Prue had taken her place on the
+improvised platform, and Helen was playing
+a little prelude.
+</p>
+<p>
+Mrs. Weston laid her hand upon her husband’s
+arm. Would Prue, her little Prue,
+get through the song without faltering?
+She need not have feared. Out rang the
+childish treble in the song which Miss Dayton
+had taught her. How fresh and clear
+the little voice sounded!
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_135'></a>135</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+&#160;<br/>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Sometimes&nbsp;&nbsp;I&nbsp;&nbsp;am&nbsp;&nbsp;a&nbsp;&nbsp;daisy&nbsp;&nbsp;bloom,<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I&nbsp;&nbsp;make&nbsp;&nbsp;believe&nbsp;&nbsp;’tis&nbsp;&nbsp;true,<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I&nbsp;&nbsp;play&nbsp;&nbsp;that&nbsp;&nbsp;all&nbsp;&nbsp;I&nbsp;&nbsp;ever&nbsp;&nbsp;eat<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Is&nbsp;&nbsp;early&nbsp;&nbsp;morning&nbsp;&nbsp;dew.<br />
+&#160;<br/>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Sometimes&nbsp;&nbsp;I&nbsp;&nbsp;am&nbsp;&nbsp;a&nbsp;&nbsp;butterfly,—<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Just&nbsp;&nbsp;see&nbsp;&nbsp;my&nbsp;&nbsp;gauzy&nbsp;&nbsp;wings!<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sometimes&nbsp;&nbsp;I&nbsp;&nbsp;play&nbsp;&nbsp;I&nbsp;&nbsp;am&nbsp;&nbsp;a&nbsp;&nbsp;bird,<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Who&nbsp;&nbsp;only&nbsp;&nbsp;sits&nbsp;&nbsp;and&nbsp;&nbsp;sings.<br />
+&#160;<br/>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“But&nbsp;&nbsp;always&nbsp;&nbsp;I&nbsp;&nbsp;am&nbsp;&nbsp;mama’s&nbsp;&nbsp;girl,<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And&nbsp;&nbsp;papa’s&nbsp;&nbsp;girlie,&nbsp;&nbsp;too,<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And&nbsp;&nbsp;next&nbsp;&nbsp;to&nbsp;&nbsp;them&nbsp;&nbsp;I&nbsp;&nbsp;love&nbsp;&nbsp;the&nbsp;&nbsp;best,<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I&nbsp;&nbsp;love&nbsp;&nbsp;each&nbsp;&nbsp;one&nbsp;&nbsp;of&nbsp;&nbsp;you.”<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+Putting up her dimpled hands she daintily
+kissed her finger tips, made a very cunning
+little bow, and tripped back to Miss Dayton,
+saying, “Did I do it nice?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Just splendid, little Prue,” said Jotham.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Couldn’t have been better,” said old
+Mrs. Green.
+</p>
+<p>
+Then Prue crept up on her father’s lap to
+see “all the other tabs,” she said.
+</p>
+<p>
+“The ‘Chapeau Blanc,’ which Miss Dayton
+says means the White Hat,” announced
+Jotham. This time the curtain swept aside
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_136'></a>136</span>
+to disclose Phœbe Small’s little face beneath
+a hat with white gauzy ruffles upon the
+brim, and a feather held in place by a knot
+of blue ribbon. A pearly kerchief about
+the shoulders was most becoming to Phœbe,
+whose usually expressionless face looked
+almost piquant under the saucy white hat
+and feather.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Don’t she look like a photograph?”
+whispered Mrs. Small, “and a good deal
+nicer, if I do say it as shouldn’t,” and Mrs.
+Small looked around with a sniff at those
+present who possibly thought their daughters
+prettier.
+</p>
+<p>
+Now, Phœbe’s principal defects were an
+abundance of freckles, and an absence of
+character in her small face; but the costume
+was becoming, and the freckles not apparent
+in the light in which she was posed;
+so her heart was delighted with words of
+commendation, and she hoped that Jotham
+Potts had seen her tableau.
+</p>
+<p>
+As a matter of fact, Jotham had not seen
+her; for, having announced that number,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_137'></a>137</span>
+he had sat down and waited for Miss Dayton
+to appear. The next number on the
+programme was his, and now Helen stepped
+from behind the curtain to announce it.
+</p>
+<p>
+“We will now listen to a solo by Jotham
+Potts.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh! oo! oo! Does your Jotham sing?”
+asked Mrs. Brimblecom of Mrs. Potts.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, no; leastways I never heard
+him,” said Jotham’s mother, with a twinkle
+in her eyes, for did she not know of
+Jotham’s evenings spent in practising this
+very solo with Miss Dayton’s accompaniment?
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy had said one day to Helen,
+“You’d ought to hear Jotham Potts whistle.
+He does it just splendid. It sounds just
+like the brook rippling.”
+</p>
+<p>
+When Helen made her plans for the entertainment,
+she invited him to give a
+whistling solo.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, I’d do anything to ’blige you, Miss
+Dayton, but who’d want to hear me whistle?”
+said Jotham.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_138'></a>138</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Then Helen told the boy how many people
+gave whistling solos in the city, with a
+piano accompaniment, and Jotham consented
+to “jest try it” with the piano.
+</p>
+<p>
+After announcing the number, Helen
+seated herself, and played a pretty little
+prelude, and then Jotham commenced to
+whistle a simple piece which Helen played,
+called “The Alpine Echo,” in which there
+was an imitation of an Alpine horn, followed
+by echoing notes an octave higher.
+</p>
+<p>
+Jotham was, indeed, a charming whistler,
+and as his courage rose, his notes sounded
+true and flutelike, making the song and
+echoes, the piano ever aiding him, until
+with a final thrill and flourish he finished
+his solo, and, blushing and bowing,
+retired.
+</p>
+<p>
+The little assembly was much excited
+and there were repeated calls for one more
+whistling solo, and cries of “fine,” and
+“that beats all,” and “whistle just once
+more, Jotham.” So Helen resumed her seat
+at the piano, and this time Jotham whistled
+a medley in which were heard “The Girl I
+Left Behind Me,” “Yankee Doodle,” and
+“The Star-Spangled Banner.”
+</p>
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_139'></a>139</span></div>
+<div><a name='f139' id='f139'></a></div>
+<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='i007' id='i007'></a>
+<img src="images/illus-139.jpg" alt="“There stood Randy as the Demure little Maid”" title=""/><br />
+<span class='caption'>“There stood Randy as the Demure little Maid”</span>
+</div>
+<p>
+“Hooray for Jotham and Miss Dayton,
+I say!” shouted Reuben Jenks, and everybody
+cheered.
+</p>
+<p>
+Jotham was very happy over his musical
+success, and with a beaming face he
+announced, “Our next tableau is a
+copy of the large photograph on the right
+wall called ‘The Broken Pitcher,’ by
+Greuze.”
+</p>
+<p>
+This time the curtain drew aside and
+there stood Randy, sweet Randy, as the
+demure little maid with the broken pitcher
+hanging to her wrist, her beautiful hair
+loosely bound, and her large gray eyes looking
+out at one for all the world like the
+Greuze model.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Isn’t she lovely, mother?” said Jotham,
+who had stolen out in front of the frame
+in order to make sure of seeing this tableau.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, I must say, she is,” said Mrs.
+Potts. “She’s always a pretty girl, but I
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_140'></a>140</span>
+do declare to-night she’s nothin’ short of
+handsome.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“So I say,” said Jotham, and even
+Randy’s parents were surprised at her
+beauty. The tableau was recalled, and
+this time Randy blushed most becomingly
+because of the encore.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, do see my Randy!” called little
+Prue, who had been nodding when the
+tableau was first shown, and awoke with
+a start to see her dear Randy looking out
+from the frame.
+</p>
+<p>
+“The next number will be a solo by
+Katie Buffum.” Immediately wee Katie
+was in position. She was not diffident in
+the least, and clasping her chubby hands
+she at once piped up with cheery voice:—
+</p>
+<p>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Once&nbsp;&nbsp;there&nbsp;&nbsp;was&nbsp;&nbsp;a&nbsp;&nbsp;little&nbsp;&nbsp;mouse<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No&nbsp;&nbsp;bigger&nbsp;&nbsp;than&nbsp;&nbsp;my&nbsp;&nbsp;fumb;<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He&nbsp;&nbsp;crept&nbsp;&nbsp;into&nbsp;&nbsp;my&nbsp;&nbsp;pocket,<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Where&nbsp;&nbsp;he&nbsp;&nbsp;hunted&nbsp;&nbsp;for&nbsp;&nbsp;a&nbsp;&nbsp;crumb.<br />
+&#160;<br/>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“I&nbsp;&nbsp;put&nbsp;&nbsp;my&nbsp;&nbsp;finger&nbsp;&nbsp;in&nbsp;&nbsp;there,<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Just&nbsp;&nbsp;to&nbsp;&nbsp;see&nbsp;&nbsp;what&nbsp;&nbsp;there&nbsp;&nbsp;was&nbsp;&nbsp;in&nbsp;&nbsp;it;<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But&nbsp;&nbsp;the&nbsp;&nbsp;little&nbsp;&nbsp;mouse&nbsp;&nbsp;was&nbsp;&nbsp;naughty,<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And&nbsp;&nbsp;he&nbsp;&nbsp;bit&nbsp;&nbsp;me&nbsp;&nbsp;in&nbsp;&nbsp;a&nbsp;&nbsp;minute.”<br />
+</p>
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_141'></a>141</span></div>
+<p>
+This solo, so cunningly sung by the pudgy
+little mite, “brought down the house,” and
+little Katie and her family were delighted
+with the praise which she received. Still
+the little girl stood upon the platform until
+the audience began to think that she wished
+to sing another verse.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Go on, Katie,” called her brother Jack,
+“what yer waiting for?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I forgot somefin and I dunno what.
+Oh, yes, I do. It’s dis,” and, making a
+comical little bow, this very conscientious
+little soloist left the platform, feeling that
+now her performance was complete.
+</p>
+<p>
+Every one laughed and gave Katie more
+praise, and she curled up in her mother’s
+lap, feeling her wee self to be a very successful
+singer.
+</p>
+<p>
+“We will now look at a tableau called
+‘Titian’s Daughter,’” announced Jotham.
+</p>
+<p>
+Away flew the curtain and Jemima Babson
+stood in the fine pose, copying to perfection
+the engraving of that subject.
+Jemima was resplendent.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_142'></a>142</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh! oh!” ejaculated every one. A glint
+of bright light shone in her eyes. She had
+liked that picture better than any which
+Miss Dayton had shown the girls when they
+had called for the first rehearsal, and was
+delighted when Helen chose it for her
+tableau.
+</p>
+<p>
+Next came her sister Belinda as the
+“Magdalene.” Belinda always wore her
+yellow hair in braids, but to-night it shone
+like rippling gold over her shoulders. With
+her blue eyes uplifted, and the shimmering
+mass of yellow hair, who could believe that
+the “Magdalene” was Belinda Babson, the
+girl who climbed every apple tree in her
+father’s orchard, and laughed at chance
+passers-by from the highest branches.
+</p>
+<p>
+“A solo by Miss Dayton will close the
+entertainment.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Helen had sung at church with the
+congregation, but until to-night no one,
+not even Randy, had heard her sing a
+solo.
+</p>
+<p>
+Ah, how sweet and clear sounded her
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_143'></a>143</span>
+voice as, looking across at old Sandy
+McLeod, she sang “The Bluebells of Scotland.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The proverbial pin could have been
+heard had it been dropped. As the last
+notes ceased, old Sandy arose, and, stoutly
+thumping on the floor with his cane,
+shouted, “Well, noo, that’s bonny, say I,
+Sandy McLeod.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s so,” said little Reuben Jenks,
+under his breath, for he sat quite near old
+Sandy and was a bit afraid of him. The
+old Scotchman owned a large farm on the
+outskirts of the town and was reported to
+have a deal of money, which most people
+said he never spent. He lived alone and
+was said to be rather crusty.
+</p>
+<p>
+One day, when out for a walk, Helen, in
+passing his door, saw old Sandy sitting on
+his door-stone, trying to thread a needle.
+Helen paused for a moment, saying kindly,
+“Please let me thread it for you.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The old man scowled and hesitated, then
+surrendered the needle. Helen threaded
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_144'></a>144</span>
+it; then, after a few pleasant words, resumed
+her walk.
+</p>
+<p>
+The old fellow mumbled something, possibly
+thanks, and ever after that morning
+pulled off his cap to Helen when he met
+her.
+</p>
+<p>
+Mrs. Gray laughed when Helen said she
+intended to invite him to the entertainment,
+saying that he would never come.
+He came, however, very promptly, and it
+was for him she sang the old Scotch ballad.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now,” said Helen, “let us all sing,
+‘Should Auld Acquaintance be Forgot,’”
+and with a will they sang it, old Sandy
+joining in the chorus.
+</p>
+<p>
+It was now quite late, but good old Parson
+Spooner rose and proposed three cheers
+for the young lady who had planned such
+a beautiful entertainment. They were
+given heartily, and then every one crowded
+around Helen to clasp her hand and thank
+her again, and of all the merry party no
+one was happier than she.
+</p>
+<p>
+Turning to Mrs. Gray, after the last
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_145'></a>145</span>
+guest had departed, Helen said, “I have
+often helped to entertain, with some success,
+but in the city one does not always
+feel the thanks so enthusiastically expressed
+to be sincere, but who could
+doubt the genuineness of the kind words
+spoken to-night?”
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_146'></a>146</span><a name='chIX' id='chIX'></a>CHAPTER IX—CALLERS</h2>
+<p>
+“Randy, wake up!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes, oh yes, in a minute,” Randy
+answered, drowsily.
+</p>
+<p>
+“No, now, Randy, wake up now! I want
+to talk about those tab things what we had
+last night,” and two little soft arms wound
+their way about sleepy Randy’s neck.
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy rubbed her eyes, laughing as she
+said, “Do call them tableaux, Prue, can’t
+you remember that? Tableaux, Prue, say
+so.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Tabby-lows!” shouted Prue. “How’s
+that?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Better,” said Randy, still laughing.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, whatever you call ’em, yours
+was the prettiest, Randy dear, the very
+prettiest, and Jotham said so, too, so of
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_147'></a>147</span>
+course it’s true,” said little Prue, who had
+been sitting up in bed in order to see her
+sister’s face when she repeated the compliment.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now, Prue,” said Randy, “did he say
+that because you asked him?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, no,” said the child, whose smiling
+face now assumed an injured expression.
+“He didn’t say it to me ’tall. He
+said it to his mother; I heard him, and
+she said she thought so, too, I heard her;
+she sat just behind us. Now, Randy
+Weston, I thought it was real nice to tell
+you, and that’s what I waked you up for.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“It’s all very nice,” Randy answered,
+“that you liked my picture best; and do
+you know, little sister, I would rather have
+you pleased than almost any one, next to
+father and mother.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why?” questioned the little girl, in
+genuine surprise.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Because,” said her sister, “you’re a
+little girl who means just what she says.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes, I do mean it, Randy dear; you did
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_148'></a>148</span>
+look just the best of any one, but you’d
+ought to seen Jotham,” she continued, “he
+meant it, too. He meant it just <em>tremenjous</em>!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, Jotham’s kind, too,” said Randy;
+then, with a happy little sigh, she turned
+a smiling face to little Prue as she said,
+“’most every one’s good, I do believe.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Not near as good as you, Randy,” said
+Prue, thoughtfully; but, she added, brightening,
+“I mean to be good all day, ’cause
+why do you s’pose, Randy? ’Cause I had
+such a good time last night.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s a good reason,” said Randy.
+Soon Randy proposed dressing, and at the
+breakfast table Prue resumed the conversation
+with which she had awakened Randy.
+</p>
+<p>
+All agreed that it had been just a lovely
+evening, but the little girl was not quite
+satisfied.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, now, we did have a splendid time,”
+said she, “but I want you to say my Randy
+was just the best of all.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, of course, we say so,” said her
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_149'></a>149</span>
+father, laughing; “but who sang a nice
+little song?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, I ’most forgot, I sang a little tune
+and so did Katie Buffum.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“So you did, so you did,” said her father,
+“and your mother and I thought you little
+girls did your parts well.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I think they all did wonderful,” said
+Mrs. Weston. “I was jest proud of my girls,
+and my neighbors’ children, too. I do
+declare, I believe Miss Dayton can do anything.
+Last evening jest did me good.
+Well, this won’t do for me,” she added,
+“there’s a sight to do to-day.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“We’ll help,” said Randy and Prue together.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I guess I’ll have to have you help me,
+Randy, if you’re a mind to.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Me too, me too,” cried Prue.
+</p>
+<p>
+So Randy filled a large pan with hot
+water and Prue armed herself with a long
+towel, and the two commenced work as if
+their lives depended upon it.
+</p>
+<p>
+Mrs. Weston was an energetic woman
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_150'></a>150</span>
+and soon her pies were made and baked,
+and standing to cool upon the table. The
+children had worked bravely all the forenoon,
+Randy doing a great deal to be helpful,
+and Prue assisting in many small things.
+Randy was just thinking that she would
+surely scorch if she remained in the hot
+kitchen another minute, when such an
+interesting thing happened.
+</p>
+<p>
+Up the well-trodden path to the kitchen
+door came Mrs. Hodgkins, “the best woman
+in town and the newsiest,” as Silas Barnes
+had described her.
+</p>
+<p>
+The children were always delighted to
+see her coming, as a call from Mrs. Hodgkins
+meant numberless scraps of gossip,
+and in a small country town where neighbors
+are few and far between, anything in
+the shape of news is welcome.
+</p>
+<p>
+Laboriously the good woman stepped
+from door-stone to threshold, and voluminously
+filling the wooden rocker which Mrs.
+Weston offered her, she fanned herself with
+her handkerchief, ejaculating between gasps
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_151'></a>151</span>
+for breath, “Lor’ me! How hot it is! Ef
+I ever get my breath again, I’ll try ter talk
+a spell.” But it would have been something
+greater than shortness of breath that
+could have completely silenced Mrs. Hodgkins.
+A few energetic movements of the
+palm-leaf fan which Randy offered her, a
+few moments of jerky rocking in the old
+wooden rocker, and she was ready to begin.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well there, Mis’ Weston, I b’lieve I can
+talk now,” said she. “Joel was goin’ over
+to the barn raisin’, an’ I told him I didn’t
+care nothin’ ’bout seein’ it; but ef he’d a
+mind to drive me as fur as your house, I’d
+call in an’ look at yer a spell, ’n’ I can’t
+spare the time to talk ’n’ not do somethin’
+at the same time,” and she drew from a
+capacious bag an old woollen stocking, saying,
+“I thought I’d bring my knittin’ along
+and p’haps git this stockin’ footed down
+while I was talkin’.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, that’s a woollen stocking,” said
+little Prue.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Lor’ yes, child, it’s one of
+Joel’s winter stockin’s. I was up attic yesterday huntin’
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_152'></a>152</span>
+over my rag bag, ’n’ I came
+across a lot of his old winter stockin’s that
+I’d ’bout decided to throw away, ’n’ I says
+to myself, ‘Sophrony Hodgkins, that’s
+downright wasteful,’ ’n’ I’ve just set myself
+a task to foot ’em down ’fore winter.”
+Her needles clicked furiously, and she knit
+around several times before she spoke
+again. With her brows contracted she
+worked until she felt sure that her knitting
+was “straightened out,” then she paused
+for a chat.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Did you know,” she commenced, “that
+Phœbe Small was a beggin’ an’ a teasin’
+her pa to send her to boardin’ school?
+Well, she is, ’n’ none of the girls could find
+out what put it in her head ter want ter
+go ’til Jemima Babson teased it out of
+her. Seems at the picnic Miss Dayton, in
+some story she was tellin’ the children, let
+out that she went away from home ter
+school, ’n’ Phœbe got the idee that ter go
+away ter school would jest be the makin’
+of her. Jemima don’t care what she says,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_153'></a>153</span>
+an’ she up an’ told Phœbe that it ‘would
+take more ’n boardin’ school to make her
+as sweet as Miss Dayton,’ all of which was
+true, but not ter Phœbe’s likin’.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“<em>Is</em> she going to boarding school?”
+asked Randy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Land, no! Her ma told her to wait ’til
+she’d learned all there was ter learn at our
+deestric’ school ’fore she talked ’bout goin’
+anywhere else; and that ’bout finished it.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Here Mrs. Hodgkins, who had said all
+this without stopping, paused to take
+breath. “I shouldn’t like my girls to be
+away at boardin’ school,” said Mrs. Weston,
+“and I think Mrs. Small would feel ’bout
+as I do.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“An’ there’s Mrs. Buffum,” continued
+Mrs. Hodgkins, “with all her children, ’n’
+she says they’ve got to be where she can
+see ter them, an’ git their larnin’ ter home,
+and now I’ll tell yer the joke. It seems
+Miss Dayton laughed when she heard about
+it, for she wasn’t at boardin’ school at all;
+she was at school, and was boardin’ at a
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_154'></a>154</span>
+big hotel with her aunt, ’n’ the hotel was
+near the school. But there, ye know
+Phœbe Small never gits anything more ’n
+half right.
+</p>
+<p>
+“But I’ll tell ye somethin’ worth tellin’.
+Old Sandy McLeod’s comin’ to meetin’!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“You don’t say!” ejaculated Mrs. Weston,
+lifting her hands, and letting them fall
+upon her lap, thereby showing the surprise
+which Mrs. Hodgkins thought this piece of
+news deserved.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, you see, it was this way,” continued
+the bearer of this pleasant bit of
+gossip; “it commenced with Miss Dayton’s
+doin’ a few little things fer him. Nobody
+b’lieved fer a minute that he’d come to
+Mrs. Gray’s, to the entertainment; but Miss
+Dayton asked him in her pretty way, and
+he hadn’t the heart ter refuse ter come, ’n’
+he had such a nice evenin’, and heard her
+sing that Scotch song, and all, ’n’ he says
+now he’s made a great mistake stayin’ off
+by himself so long. An’ he’s been to Parson
+Spooner and, ef you’ll believe it, hired
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_155'></a>155</span>
+a whole pew, sayin’ he could well afford to;
+en’ he says that as there’s only one in his
+family, any one that wants ter can sit in
+his pew, any time.
+</p>
+<p>
+“He says he always went ter church,
+though he calls it ‘kirk,’ or something like
+that, when he was a young man and lived
+in Scotland; an’ he says, rain or shine,
+we’ll see him in his place every Sunday,
+after this. When somebody asked him
+what made him think of goin’ ter church
+again, he drew that great rough hand of
+his across his eyes, and jist said, ‘It’s all
+the doin’ of that lass,’ meanin’ Miss Dayton.
+And let me tell yer somethin’ queerer
+than that! Did ye notice old Nathan
+Lawton the other night?
+</p>
+<p>
+“My! how his eyes twinkled when the
+children were singin’. Ye know he’s dreadful
+fond of children; but ye know, too,
+ef ye know anything, that he’s tighter ’n
+the bark of a tree. Well, Miss Dayton
+heard say what a bad room fer heatin’
+that schoolroom was, and how the little
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_156'></a>156</span>
+buildin’ was kind er fer off fer most of the
+children.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Wal’, after we’d seen all the pictures,
+or what yer call ’ems, and she’d sung
+her song so sweetly, old Nathan spoke
+ter her, an’ thanked her for the pleasant
+evenin’, sayin’ he’d do most anythin’ ter
+obleege her, in return, as ye might say, fer
+his enjoyment; and I had ter laugh softly
+ter myself when she put her little white
+hand on his arm and said she thought
+nothin’ would please her so much as ter
+think, when she went home, that the
+children here would start ter school in a
+comfortable, warm room, ’specially ef it
+could be one that was handy for them all;
+and she asked him, as one of the see-lect-men,
+ter manage it some way.
+</p>
+<p>
+“He just took one look at the smilin’
+face lookin’ up at him, and then and there
+offered the use of that front room of his’n,
+and promised ter keep it roastin’ warm all
+winter, from his own woodpile. His house
+is just about the handiest ter every one of
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_157'></a>157</span>
+any house in town, and I do say that was
+a han’some offer.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Any other folks might have asked him
+’til they got tired askin’; but he couldn’t
+refuse her, ’n’ I don’t wonder. She’s just
+done us a world of good this summer, ’n’ in
+such an easy, pretty way that we’ve just
+enjoyed it.
+</p>
+<p>
+“And now I’ve come ter what fetched
+me here ter day. Mrs. Gray said ter me
+that Miss Dayton never went to an apple-bee;
+and I was thinkin’ she got up that
+picnic, and that splendid evenin’ with the
+music,”—“and tab things,” said Prue,—“an’
+I’ve been thinkin’ it’s ’bout time we
+got up somethin’ fer her,” said good Mrs.
+Hodgkins, and she beamed upon Mrs. Weston
+and Randy as she waited for their
+approval.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I think so too,” said Randy and her
+mother together; “but do you think that
+she would enjoy an apple-bee?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, we couldn’t get up anything
+fine,” said Mrs. Hodgkins; “but they do
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_158'></a>158</span>
+say that our apple-bees are ’bout the best
+that they have anywhere ’round here.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Mrs. Weston thought a moment, then
+said: “Our house is the biggest in the
+neighborhood, an’ Miss Dayton has been
+so kind to Randy and Prue that I’ll say
+we’ll have the apple-bee here, and I think
+we’ll try extry hard to make it a pleasant
+one. I’m real glad you thought of it, Mrs.
+Hodgkins. I think we’ll all enjoy it, an’ if
+Miss Dayton does, that’s all we’ll ask for.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, ef here ain’t Joel,” said Mrs.
+Hodgkins, “an’ I’ll have ter be goin’; but
+I’ll come over an’ help ye git ready for the
+apple-bee, so good-by ’til I see ye again,”
+and she hastily took her departure, puffing
+down the walk like a small engine, and
+clambering into the wagon beside her husband.
+“Good-by, I’ll be over ter help ye,”
+she cried, looking back; then they jogged
+off down the road.
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy and her mother turned from the
+doorway and walked back into the kitchen.
+“Look at that clock, Randy!” exclaimed
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_159'></a>159</span>
+Mrs. Weston; “I guess it’ll be a funny dinner
+to-day,” and she commenced to make
+hasty preparations for the noon meal.
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Weston laughed good-naturedly when
+he heard of the forenoon caller, and in consequence
+the “picked-up dinner.” “Lots of
+folks haven’t as good a dinner as this,
+mother,” said he, “and I must say, I’m
+glad she came in ter talk ter ye and so
+make ye stop workin’ a spell. Where is
+Prue?”
+</p>
+<p>
+Sure enough, the little girl who was
+always eager to tell a part of any happening
+was, for once, not in evidence. So busy
+had Randy and her mother been, preparing
+the dinner, that Prue had not been missed.
+</p>
+<p>
+“She went out when Mrs. Hodgkins
+went, don’t you remember, mother?” said
+Randy. “She ran down the path, waving
+her hand and saying good-by when they
+drove away.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, Randy, run out and find her, and
+tell her ter come in ter dinner. Dear me!
+I hope she hasn’t got inter some scrape.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_160'></a>160</span>
+She’s been out of sight long enough fer
+anything.” Out rushed Randy, calling
+loudly, “Prue! Prue! where are you?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m right here, and I’m very busy,”
+came an answering shout from behind the
+house.
+</p>
+<p>
+Around the house ran Randy, and such
+a funny sight she saw!
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, Prue Weston, you naughty girl!”
+said Randy in dismay.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I ain’t naughty,” said the child.
+</p>
+<p>
+“You are, too,” responded Randy, “to
+plague kitty like that. You just take her
+out of that rain-water tub this minute! If
+she wasn’t the best old cat in the world, she
+would have scratched you well for ducking
+her like that.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Prue tried to lift pussy out, and Randy
+ran to help her.
+</p>
+<p>
+Poor pussy! If Randy had been a few
+minutes later, she must surely have been
+drowned, for, just as Randy arrived, Prue
+was holding Tabby’s head under water
+“to let it soak,” she said.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_161'></a>161</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“What ever made you do such a thing?”
+questioned Randy, when the cat was once
+more on dry land; “don’t you know that
+in a few minutes more you would have
+drowned her?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Drowned!” said Prue in a horrified
+whisper, “drowned, did you say, Randy?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, of course,” said Randy, impatiently;
+“don’t you <em>know</em> she’d drown
+with her head under water?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, Randy, that’s awful!” said Prue.
+“I didn’t mean to hurt Tabby. I only
+meant to help her. She comed down from
+the field what’s been burned over, and she
+was all smutty, and I thought I’d give her
+a good washing; so I put her in the tub,
+but the smut sticked awful, and I thought
+I’d soak her and p’rhaps she’d wash easier;
+and, Randy, whatever you say, she <em>isn’t</em>
+drowned one mite. Just see her washing
+herself dry in the sun.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, Prue, Prue!” said Randy, “what
+shall I do with you? You do the queerest
+things! Go tell Tabby you’re sorry this
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_162'></a>162</span>
+minute. If kitty had died, just think how
+you’d felt.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now, don’t you make me cry, Randy,”
+said Prue, “’cause you know I love Tabby,
+and I didn’t mean to hurt her.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The cat was an unusually placid animal,
+or she never would have permitted a little
+girl to do such a thing. Prue had always
+used her for a doll, dressing her up in all
+sorts of things, and sometimes dragging
+her about in a wooden box which she
+called a “carriage.” This alleged vehicle
+was an old soap box, beautifully
+padded with a woollen shawl. It had
+neither wheels nor springs, and as little
+Prue dragged it along, it thumped over
+twigs and stones with the most surprising
+jolts. Pussy, however, seemed to have a
+species of lethargy, for she slept through
+it all; so Prue insisted that she liked the
+ride. The family declared the cat to be
+absolutely without vim; but that deficiency
+in her make-up made her a delightful plaything
+for Prue.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_163'></a>163</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+After dinner Mrs. Weston talked long
+and seriously with her little daughter, telling
+her that as pussy was so gentle and
+willing to be played with, she ought to be
+very kind to her and never do anything
+that Tabby would not like.
+</p>
+<p>
+“But I wanted Tabby to be clean in
+time for the folks to see her when we
+have the apple-bee,” said Prue.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, she’ll be clean as clean can be
+by that time,” said her mother, smiling.
+“She’ll have a whole week to wash in. I
+think that when you wish to do something
+to kitty different from what you’ve done
+before, you’d better come and ask me
+first.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I will,” said the little girl, promptly,
+and Mrs. Weston knew that pussy was
+safe from any new torment, for Prue
+always kept her word, and she loved
+Tabby dearly.
+</p>
+<p>
+Early in the afternoon, as Mrs. Weston
+sat by the window mending, another wagon
+stopped at the door; and this time a tall,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_164'></a>164</span>
+angular woman came up the path with
+nervous haste. The door was open, and
+without waiting to knock, the caller walked
+in and seated herself.
+</p>
+<p>
+“There, I guess you’re s’prised to see
+me, Mis’ Weston, but I jest had ter come.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, I am surprised,” responded Mrs.
+Weston; “but I’m just as pleased ter see
+ye. Take off yer bunnit.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ll take it off jest ter show it ter ye,”
+said Mrs. Jenks. “I thought I’d had a
+change of heart years an’ years ago, but
+I guess I’ve jest got it now.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Do tell! Why, Mrs. Jenks, how ye
+talk,” and in blank amazement Mrs.
+Weston stopped mending, the stocking,
+however, still drawn over her hand.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, ye might as well stop mendin’
+an’ listen, fer I’ve come ter tell ye quite
+a story. It all began with this bunnit.
+I stepped over ter Mis’ Gray’s one mornin’
+of an arrant, an’ I chanced to say
+something about not havin’ a decent bunnit
+fer Sunday, an’ I said I had a bunnit
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_165'></a>165</span>
+I’d bought down ter Barnses and quite a
+lot of old ribbon that was plenty good
+enough to trim it with; but, says I, I’ve
+no more idee how to trim it than a cat.
+Miss Dayton was just comin’ in the door
+with a lot of wild flowers and green stuff,
+and she offered, so sweetly, to call over in
+the afternoon and jest tack the ribbons
+on fer me that, some way, I had ter let her
+do it.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, she came over and I got out my
+ribbon—it was that I had on a blue dress
+of mine once—and she sat down to trim
+it. It took some time, and to this day I
+don’t know how it came about, but the first
+thing I knew she was a-makin’ me see how
+much better it was to give rather than
+receive. Now I’ve been pretty ‘near’ and
+savin’, but I never meant ter be mean; but
+she led me to talk of the time when Reuben
+was little, and ’fore I knew it I was tellin’
+that girl how I used to leave my work jist
+ter look at him in the old wooden cradle.
+I told her what I’d most forgot myself:
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_166'></a>166</span>
+how I could never let him lay there, but
+jest had ter take him up and hug him jest
+a minute an’ then go on with my work.
+I’ve never meant ter be hard with the boy,
+but p’r’aps I forgit sometimes that he’s
+pretty young still.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, Miss Dayton looked up from the
+bows she was makin’ pretty, and says
+she, ‘Reuben’s a nice little fellow, and I
+think, if you were to try it, you’d find he
+liked petting still. I’ve talked with him
+many times since I’ve been here, and I find
+that his one idea seems to be to grow up
+as fast as possible so as to be able to help
+father and mother.’
+</p>
+<p>
+“I tell ye, Mis’ Weston, I was all took
+back to find a sweet young girl who was
+’most a stranger to us had learned my
+boy’s good traits ’fore I had. Well, when
+Reuben came in jist ’fore supper-time with
+his jacket with a big tear in it, I was jist
+ready ter say somethin’. He took the
+jacket off and hung it on my chair ter be
+mended; and layin’ his hand on my shoulder, he said,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_167'></a>167</span>
+‘I wish I didn’t get my things
+tore quite so often, mother, but this time I
+couldn’t help it.’
+</p>
+<p>
+“It took lots er resolution, but I jest
+kissed him on his forehead, and the s’prised
+look on his face made me realize how long
+it had been sence I’d kissed him before.
+</p>
+<p>
+“‘Reuben,’ says I, ‘no matter what I
+say when I speak hasty, just remember
+that yer mother thinks the world of ye!’
+</p>
+<p>
+“‘F you’ll believe me, that boy flew at
+me, and puttin’ his arms round my neck he
+said, ‘Why, mother, a minute ago I was
+awful sorry, and now I’m almost glad I
+tore my jacket.’
+</p>
+<p>
+“‘So be I,’ says I, and then we both
+laughed, but we were jest as near cryin’,
+and I tell you, Mis’ Weston, I ain’t never
+goin’ ter have such a distance, so to speak,
+between my boy and me as there has been;
+I guess we understand each other now.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, I don’t know when I’ve heard
+any better news,” said Mrs. Weston, taking
+off her glasses and slowly wiping them.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_168'></a>168</span>
+“I think pretty well of little Reuben, and
+I b’lieve, properly encouraged, he’ll make
+a good man.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, now, it beats all how Miss Dayton
+does things,” said Mrs. Jenks. “Some folks
+would have blundered about it in a way
+that would have made me mad, but to this
+day, I do say, I don’t know how she done
+it. And look at that bunnit,” continued
+enthusiastic Mrs. Jenks, “didn’t she make
+them bows pretty? I declare, there ain’t a
+prettier bunnit in the meetin’-house than
+that.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“’Tis pretty,” assented Mrs. Weston;
+“just as pretty as it can be.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“So I say,” said Mrs. Jenks, “and now
+this mornin’ I met Mis’ Hodgkins and her
+husband. ‘They’d just come from here,’
+they said, ‘and,’ says Mis’ Hodgkins, ‘we’re
+goin’ ter have the first apple-bee ter Mis’
+Weston’s and,’ says she, sorter smilin’, ‘I
+ain’t sure’s you’ll be very anxious ter help,
+but we’re all goin’ ter do our part ter help
+make a grand time fer Miss Dayton;’ and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_169'></a>169</span>
+says I, ‘If it’s fer Miss Dayton, I’ll agree
+to contribute anything you like toward the
+supper, and I’ll go right over now an’ tell
+Mis’ Weston so.’ My, but didn’t she look
+at me! I laughed ter myself, an’ I said
+right out loud, as I drove off, ‘Matilda
+Jenks, this is the last time any one will
+have a chance ter call ye stingy.’
+</p>
+<p>
+“I commenced this mornin’ by givin’
+Reuben a lot of maple sugar to treat the
+boys with, and I tell you Miss Dayton’s
+’bout right, it does feel good to give.
+We’ve been prospered, and from this time
+forth I ain’t goin’ ter be foolish with this
+world’s goods; but I <em>vow</em> I won’t be mean;
+so I’ve come ter say that if there’s anythin’
+I can offer ter help make the bee a success,
+jest say the word an’ you shall have it.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Mrs. Jenks,” said Mrs. Weston, kindly,
+“I always said ye hadn’t but one fault,
+and now you’ve overcome that, seems to
+me you’re pretty near perfect.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I guess there’s room fer improvement,”
+said Mrs. Jenks, grasping her friend’s extended hand,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_170'></a>170</span>
+“but I’ve started in the right
+direction. Now, I must be goin’, and remember
+I’ll do anything ter help along
+that bee.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Mrs. Weston promised to remember, and
+as rapidly as she came Matilda Jenks
+strode down the path and drove away.
+</p>
+<p>
+A few minutes later Randy came running
+in at the door. “Oh, mother,” said
+she, “I ran out to look for Prue again,
+while Mrs. Jenks was talking, and, mother,
+she’s doing the cunningest thing. She’s
+playing read. She’s lying on the grass
+back of the house, with the fairy book in
+front of her. She’s making b’lieve read
+to Tabby. Do come and see her.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Softly they made their way around the
+house and, sure enough, there lay Prue,
+the wonderful fairy book before her, her
+elbows on the book, and her chin in her
+hands. Soon they were near enough to
+hear what she was reading, and yet not to
+be observed.
+</p>
+<div><a name='f170' id='f170'></a></div>
+<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='i008' id='i008'></a>
+<img src="images/illus-170.jpg" alt="Prue and Tabby reading the Fairy Book" title=""/><br />
+<span class='caption'>Prue and Tabby reading the Fairy Book</span>
+</div>
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_171'></a>171</span></div>
+<p>
+“Now, Tabby,” she was saying, “you
+<em>mustn’t</em> go to sleep when I’m reading to
+you. Now you listen: The princess—that’s
+Miss Dayton, Tabby—is very beautiful, and
+so I know there must be a prince, somewhere,
+that she knows; ’cause, Tabby, in
+the fairy tales the princesses always has
+princes; and, Tabby, I’ll tell you truly,
+Miss Dayton is prettier than any picture
+in this book. And, Tabby, she loves little
+girls and big girls, like my Randy, and she
+loves big womens and old womens and old
+mens, like Sandy McLeod; and, Tabby, I
+b’lieve, I most b’lieve she loves you, and
+I’m going to ask her.
+</p>
+<p>
+“She prob’ly does love you; she seems
+to love everybody. This isn’t all in the
+book, Tabby, but what I tell you that isn’t
+in the book is true. I’m most glad the
+fairy stories ain’t true; for if things did
+happen like what’s in the book, maybe
+you’d turn into a frog, and then, Tabby, I
+couldn’t hug you.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Here Tabby rubbed her head against
+Prue’s little arm. “There,” said the child,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_172'></a>172</span>
+“you <em>knew</em> what I said, didn’t you?” and
+she sprang up, catching Tabby in her arms
+to “love her,” as she called it.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, did you hear me reading to my
+kitty?” shouted Prue, as she caught sight
+of her smiling audience.
+</p>
+<p>
+“We heard ye, and I guess some of it
+was full as pretty as what was in the
+book,” said Mrs. Weston, and together the
+three wended their way back to the house,
+followed by Tabby.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_173'></a>173</span><a name='chX' id='chX'></a>CHAPTER X—THE APPLE-BEE</h2>
+<p>
+The apple-bee was to occur on Thursday
+evening, and Mrs. Weston and Randy, with
+little Prue for “errand boy,” had been
+busily employed in preparation for the
+delightful event. Prue made a fine little
+page, so delighted was she to be useful.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Bring me the yellow mixin’ bowl, Prue,”
+called Mrs. Weston. Into the closet darted
+Prue, and over to the table with the big
+bowl she hastened. “Now what shall I do
+to help the apple-bee?” said she.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Perhaps the apple-bee would like to
+have you pull all the stems off these
+raisins,” said her mother, laughing. So
+Prue sat down upon the large braided rug
+near the door and began to stem the raisins
+with all her might. Soon Mrs. Hodgkins
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_174'></a>174</span>
+arrived and imperiously ordered her husband
+to “lug in that crock from the wagon.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“For mercy’s sake!” ejaculated Mrs.
+Weston, “whatever have you got there?”
+as, puffing and blowing, Joel Hodgkins
+landed an immense stone crock upon the
+kitchen table.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, I’ll tell ye,” said Mrs. Hodgkins;
+“I know this is no donation party, but I
+had this big crock er doughnuts, and I says,
+says I, ‘Somebody will eat ’em ef I take ’em
+over,’ so here they be.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Sophrony wouldn’t think she was takin’
+part in the bee if some of her prize doughnuts
+wasn’t in the treat.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Every one laughed at Joel Hodgkins’s
+speech, and the doughnuts were very kindly
+received.
+</p>
+<p>
+“We all know that your doughnuts are
+the best in town,” said Mrs. Weston, “and
+I guess everybody’ll be glad to have one,
+I’m sure—” but the remark was left
+incomplete as she hastened to the door to
+admit Mrs. Jenks.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_175'></a>175</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“How are ye, Mrs. Weston? I had Reuben
+drive me over, and I’ve brought a lot
+of those big red apples, ef ye don’t mind
+havin’ ’em. Reuben an’ I have rubbed
+and polished ’em ’til they shine like everything.
+I thought maybe they’d make the
+table look pretty,” and she flushed as she
+offered this first contribution of her life.
+</p>
+<p>
+“They will look handsome,” said Mrs.
+Weston. “I declare it was real thoughtful
+in you to bring them. Why, for goodness’
+sake! How many did ye bring?” as Reuben
+arrived with basket after basket, which
+he placed in a row upon the table, and
+then commenced to make another row upon
+the swing table on the opposite side of the
+room.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ve no idee how many there is,” said
+Mrs. Jenks. “Reuben an’ I commenced
+rubbin’ and polishin’ ’em right after breakfast,
+and we never stopped rubbin’ ’til we
+was ready to start. Then we packed in the
+baskets, and here we be.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Meanwhile the neighbors had removed
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_176'></a>176</span>
+bonnets and shawls, and three energetic
+housekeepers, with the help of Randy and
+little Prue, succeeded in “keeping things
+moving,” as Mrs. Jenks had expressed it.
+</p>
+<p>
+Suddenly, Jotham Potts’s dark face
+peeped in at the door, with, “Say, Mrs.
+Weston, I’m a master hand at chopping, so
+any time I can help, just give me a chopping
+knife and tray, and I’ll work like a
+major.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ll bear ye in mind, and call ye when
+I want ye,” answered Mrs. Weston, and
+Prue rushed to the door to offer him a
+handful of raisins, saying, “I give them to
+you, Jotham, ’cause you’re the biggest and
+the nicest boy I know.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Thank you, pussy. Hey! where are
+you now?” and he swung the child lightly
+up on his shoulder.
+</p>
+<p>
+“May I go with Jotham ’stead of picking
+any more raisins?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes, run along,” said her mother, glad
+to have her in the care of some one whom
+she could trust to keep her out of mischief.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_177'></a>177</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+So busily did every one work that by
+Wednesday night the cooking for the spread
+was completed. Old and young had helped
+with a will to make the evening a success,
+and at last Thursday arrived, although
+Prue confided to Randy that she “b’lieved
+it never would.”
+</p>
+<p>
+When the final decorations for the apple-bee
+were in place, everything needed for
+the sumptuous spread ready, there was
+absolutely nothing to do but wait patiently
+for the evening to come.
+</p>
+<p>
+The apples were to be cut, cored, and
+strung in the kitchen, the spread was to be
+in the “settin’ room,” and all the rooms
+were decorated so gayly that they appeared
+festive indeed. Randy had decorated the
+“best room,” making it gay with branches
+of autumn leaves, in gorgeous colors, and
+sprays of scarlet privet berries.
+</p>
+<p>
+The Babson girls had had a bright idea in
+regard to trimming the “settin’ room.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“What’s the reason we can’t tie the corn
+husks together at the tip ends, and keep on
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_178'></a>178</span>
+tying ’til we get enough to go around the
+room, and then hang up the long string of
+ears and husks just above the pictures?”
+queried Belinda Babson.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, Belinda!” screamed Randy, “that’s
+such a bright idea, what ever made you
+think of it?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I just did think of it, that’s all,” said
+Belinda, much pleased that her design for
+decoration met with approval. So the
+girls rushed out to the barn to find Mr.
+Weston and ask permission to use the corn.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Land, yes,” he said when approached,
+“use anything within reach, I say, so long
+as it helps to make the house look pooty;”
+so, laughing gayly, the girls filled their
+aprons with corn, and running to the
+house commenced, in furious haste, to tie
+the husks together.
+</p>
+<p>
+All the young friends had called that
+morning in a body to offer their help to
+Randy, and she had most gladly accepted
+it.
+</p>
+<p>
+While the girls were tying the corn
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_179'></a>179</span>
+husks, Jotham Potts and Reuben Jenks
+were making themselves very useful, for
+by this time the girls had discovered that
+it required a great many ears of corn with
+which to garland or festoon the room. The
+boys brought the corn in wheelbarrow loads
+and then offered to help do the tying.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, boys couldn’t do this,” said Phœbe
+Small, who was much piqued to see that
+whenever Jotham sat down to rest, he sat
+near Randy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s one of your pleasant speeches,
+Phœbe,” said Reuben Jenks, before his
+friend Jotham could reply; whereat
+Phœbe tied a hard knot in a corn husk
+with such unnecessary vim that it broke.
+</p>
+<p>
+Reuben laughed slyly; and Randy with
+her usual kindness, appearing not to notice
+the tilt, praised Phœbe’s pretty arrangement
+of red and yellow ears, and thus
+smoothed “ruffled feathers.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Jotham looked at Randy with real admiration.
+“I b’lieve she always does the right
+thing,” thought the boy; so Phœbe’s spite
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_180'></a>180</span>
+only strengthened the admiration of Randy’s
+young cavalier.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I think I’ve got a first-rate notion for
+decorating,” said Jotham, “and if you’ll
+let me and Reuben do it I tell you we can
+make that front walk as light as day, and
+as handsome as a picture for to-night,
+Randy,” and Jotham looked at the girl
+with eyes that sparkled with enthusiasm.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Of course I’ll let you do it, if it’s
+fine,” said Randy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now you needn’t ask questions, for
+it’s a secret; and Reuben an’ me’ll do it,
+without telling anybody but your pa,”
+said Jotham, and out rushed the boys to
+hold a whispered conclave on the back
+stairs.
+</p>
+<p>
+“My, won’t that be prime!” ejaculated
+Reuben, amazed at the brilliancy of Jotham’s
+plan, and proud to be taken into
+a secret by a boy three years older than
+himself.
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Weston laughed long and loudly
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_181'></a>181</span>
+when the boys unfolded their plan, and
+declared that he’d do his part of it now.
+Accordingly, he soon appeared in the path
+which led from the road to the door, and
+began to drive long stakes into the ground
+on either side of the walk.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What are you doing, father?” called
+Randy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Drivin’ stakes, ain’t I?” he responded,
+and with that she was obliged to be contented.
+The boys were out of sight, and the girls
+wondered what they were doing; but when
+at night a line of brilliant lights glowed on
+each side of the walk, they willingly declared
+the decoration a success.
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Weston had driven the stakes quite
+near together and every one was capped
+with a jack-o’-lantern made from a great
+golden pumpkin, so that, from road to doorway,
+a line of grinning goblins served to give
+a flaming welcome.
+</p>
+<p>
+At last everything was in readiness and
+the guests began to arrive. Reuben’s
+mother had listened with much interest to
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_182'></a>182</span>
+the boy’s scheme, and had insisted on
+donating all the pumpkins required.
+</p>
+<p>
+And now the wagons began to arrive, and
+great praise was bestowed upon the boys
+for their novel lighting of the walk.
+The pumpkins made very fine lamps, and
+one giant of its kind, fastened high above
+the door, smiled broadly upon each new
+arrival.
+</p>
+<p>
+Team after team drove up to the door,
+and shouts and laughter rang out on the
+crisp evening air as the guests first saw the
+gleaming lantern rows.
+</p>
+<p>
+At last nearly every one had arrived, and
+the rooms were bright with happy faces.
+In one corner a group of old ladies were
+chatting about the bees and huskings which
+they had enjoyed in their youth.
+</p>
+<p>
+The farmers and their wives were buzzing
+away over the latest bit of village gossip,
+the women telling it as they “b’lieved it
+was,” and the men using convincing arguments
+to show that they had heard it
+“straight” at the store at the four corners.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_183'></a>183</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Girls and boys tried to out-talk each
+other, and everywhere the children ran in
+and out, playing “hide-and-seek” behind
+the sturdy forms of their elders.
+</p>
+<p>
+Helen had coaxed Randy to refrain from
+brushing back every curling lock, telling
+her that her hair was made to curl; and
+thus convinced, Randy appeared at the bee
+with a soft fluff of her light brown hair
+making a halo about her face.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I must say Miss Dayton’s right; I like
+the looks of it,” said Mrs. Weston, when
+Randy appeared before her with her hair
+dressed in the manner which Miss Dayton
+had suggested; so with much impatience
+Randy waited to see the look of approval on
+Helen’s face when she should arrive. And
+others were looking for Helen in whose
+honor this festival was planned.
+</p>
+<p>
+At last a resounding “Whoa! Be still,
+can’t ye?” announced the arrival of old
+Sandy McLeod, and great was the surprise
+when, as Randy opened the door, Helen—smiling,
+radiant Helen—came in, saying,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_184'></a>184</span>
+“Good evening, friends,” and followed by
+her ancient cavalier, old Sandy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“The lass is late because too many lads
+wanted to bring her,” said Sandy, his old
+eyes twinkling.
+</p>
+<p>
+“That is true,” said Helen, laughing, “too
+many lads, so I gave my choice to the
+eldest. Now for my bundle,” and stepping
+out into the centre of the room Sandy
+showed, for the first time, that he held a
+large parcel.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I have a little surprise for you, dear
+friends,” said Helen; “I wished to offer my
+mite toward the evening’s pleasure, so I will
+ask Mrs. Weston to allow Mr. McLeod—”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Call me Sandy, lass,” said the old man,
+gently.
+</p>
+<p>
+“To allow Sandy,” corrected the girl, “to
+place this box on the centre of the supper
+table, to be opened when we are all seated
+around the spread.”
+</p>
+<p>
+So the big box held its place of honor,
+and great was the curiosity concerning it.
+</p>
+<p>
+The children now commenced to play
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_185'></a>185</span>
+“the needle’s eye,” an old game popular
+among the country children, which is very
+similar to “London Bridge.”
+</p>
+<p>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“The&nbsp;&nbsp;needle’s&nbsp;&nbsp;eye&nbsp;&nbsp;it&nbsp;&nbsp;doth&nbsp;&nbsp;comply<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With&nbsp;&nbsp;the&nbsp;&nbsp;thread&nbsp;&nbsp;which&nbsp;&nbsp;runs&nbsp;&nbsp;so&nbsp;&nbsp;true.<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It&nbsp;&nbsp;has&nbsp;&nbsp;caught&nbsp;&nbsp;many&nbsp;&nbsp;a&nbsp;&nbsp;very&nbsp;&nbsp;fine&nbsp;&nbsp;lass,<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And&nbsp;&nbsp;now&nbsp;&nbsp;it&nbsp;&nbsp;has&nbsp;&nbsp;caught&nbsp;&nbsp;you.”<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+Little Hitty Buffum found herself a prisoner.
+However, she was soon kissed and
+released, and through the arch formed by
+clasped hands and uplifted arms trooped
+the children, keeping time to the sing-song
+chant of the queer verse. They saw nothing
+funny in the verse, however, and played
+the game with great enthusiasm.
+</p>
+<p>
+Meanwhile the apples were being pared
+by industrious hands and soon the “stringing”
+began. Merrily the work went on
+with jokes and lively chatter, and before
+it seemed possible the task was completed.
+</p>
+<p>
+The boys now gathered up the parings,
+carried them away, and once more the room
+was in order.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_186'></a>186</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now, friends,” said Randy’s father,
+“let’s all have supper.” No one waited
+for a second invitation, and a cheery, happy
+party made a complete circle around the
+long table. What a spread that was! Hot
+baked beans and brown bread, mince pies,
+pumpkin pies, gingerbread and doughnuts,
+nuts and apples, made a “treat for a king,”
+said old Sandy McLeod.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now, Mr. Weston,” said Helen, “please
+open my box;” and when the cover was
+removed a chorus of “Ohs” and “Ahs”
+greeted the sight disclosed. Helen had
+sent to Boston for an immense box of
+bonbons, and to those simple country people,
+who knew naught but home-made confections,
+the rose and violet tinted dainties
+looked like a fairy gift. But if they were
+unacquainted with such candies, it took a
+fabulously short time to learn to like them,
+and soon the bottom of the box appeared.
+</p>
+<p>
+Happy Helen, to have given so much
+pleasure! And now the table which had
+been so bountifully spread was beginning
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_187'></a>187</span>
+to look bare, for everybody had had a most
+excellent appetite, and had done full justice
+to the meal. The chairs were pushed back
+and old Sandy asked to have a bit of music.
+“The little lassies who sang the other night,
+canna they sing?” said he, looking kindly
+at Prue and Katie, who were playing “bean
+porridge hot” together.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Ain’t any pi-ano here,” said Katie.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Never mind that,” said Helen; “I think
+if you and Prue sing the little songs which
+you sang the other evening so sweetly, Sandy
+will, in return, make some music for you.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That I will,” responded the old man,
+heartily; “but there’s naught so blithe as
+the sound of a bairnie’s voice.”
+</p>
+<p>
+So wee Katie was mounted upon a chair,
+in lieu of a platform, and she sang the little
+solo, “Once there was a little mouse,” giving
+all the verses, and even remembering
+to make a little bow as Helen had taught
+her. Indeed, she bowed so vigorously
+that she barely escaped losing her balance.
+Then she hopped down, and little Prue
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_188'></a>188</span>
+sprang up in her place, singing, “Sometimes
+I am a daisy bloom,” just as she
+had sung it at Mrs. Gray’s on the evening
+of the tableaux. When she had finished
+the last lines,
+</p>
+<p>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“And&nbsp;&nbsp;next&nbsp;&nbsp;to&nbsp;&nbsp;those&nbsp;&nbsp;I&nbsp;&nbsp;love&nbsp;&nbsp;the&nbsp;&nbsp;best<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I&nbsp;&nbsp;love&nbsp;&nbsp;each&nbsp;&nbsp;one&nbsp;&nbsp;of&nbsp;&nbsp;you,”<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+she kissed her little finger tips to her
+admiring audience, as Helen had taught
+her to do.
+</p>
+<p>
+Every one applauded, and old Sandy
+called the children to him, saying, “I’ll
+make the music for ye now, I wad na hae
+the heart to refuse,” and rising hastily he
+left the room. Every one was surprised at
+this abrupt movement and wondered if the
+childish voice had moved him too deeply,
+awakening the memories of his Scottish
+home and friends.
+</p>
+<p>
+Silent he had ever been in regard to
+home and kindred, answering questions in
+a manner which invited no further queries;
+but since Helen’s stay in the village he had
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_189'></a>189</span>
+warmed wonderfully toward his neighbors,
+and seemed quite unlike the silent old man
+whom they had known.
+</p>
+<p>
+But while they were wondering about
+his absence, Sandy reappeared. What a
+change! Arrayed in all the bravery of a
+Scottish chieftain, old Sandy stood before
+them, a picture indeed.
+</p>
+<p>
+Over a kilt of tartan he wore the red
+coat and plaid, and on his head, crowning
+his white locks, sat a genuine Scotch “bonnet,”
+with an eagle feather black as night.
+In his hands he carried the bagpipes, and
+while the children stared, open-mouthed,
+Sandy commenced to play. “Scots Wha
+Hae” rang out with a wonderful skirl, followed
+by “Bonnie Prince Charlie,” “Jock
+o’ Hazeldean,” and a half dozen more, until
+old Nathan Lawton declared that there was
+no keeping still with such music, and when
+at his request the pipes commenced to play
+a rollicking reel, old Nathan remarked that
+he used to cut “pigeon wings” and he
+guessed he could now, took his position in
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_190'></a>190</span>
+the centre of the floor, and proceeded to
+cut them in a wonderful manner.
+</p>
+<p>
+If the children were delighted, so were
+their elders, for was this not a treat of
+which they had not dreamed? and, best of
+all, two old people who had been so cold
+and forbidding now were warmed and
+charmed into a friendly feeling with all
+their neighbors.
+</p>
+<p>
+When Sandy and Nathan Lawton stopped
+to rest and regain their breath, the young
+people crowded around them to thank them
+and to examine the fine Scotch costume
+which Sandy wore.
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s a pretty dress and jacket,” said
+little Prue, admiringly, “and you’ve got
+such a long sash, too.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The child’s admiration for his costume
+pleased the old man, and it was of small
+consequence to him that she called his kilt
+a dress. Lifting Prue upon his knee, he
+stroked her short fair curls, telling her
+how like the little lass she was who used
+to be his playmate in bonnie Scotland.
+</p>
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_191'></a>191</span></div>
+<div><a name='f191' id='f191'></a></div>
+<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='i009' id='i009'></a>
+<img src="images/illus-191.jpg" alt="“‘Why don’t you send the Little Girl a Letter?’”" title=""/><br />
+<span class='caption'>“‘Why don’t you send the Little Girl a Letter?’”</span>
+</div>
+<p>
+“Is she big as me?” asked the little
+girl, all unmindful that Sandy’s child mate
+had had many years in which to grow.
+</p>
+<p>
+A moment the old man hesitated, then,
+very gently, he told the child upon his knee
+of that other child away in bonnie Scotland;
+told her that when his little mate
+was a child, he had been a child too; that
+he had known her all his young life; that
+she had grown old as he had, and now—but
+here he paused, and practical little
+Prue, looking up at him, asked, “Is it far
+to Scotland?” Sandy told her that it was
+very far indeed.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Too far to send letters?” was the next
+question.
+</p>
+<p>
+“No,” he assured her; “it was not as far
+as that.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Then why don’t you send the little girl
+a letter?” questioned Prue.
+</p>
+<p>
+Those who had heard the question were
+fearful that the old Scotchman would be
+displeased.
+</p>
+<p>
+For a moment a look of amazement rested
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_192'></a>192</span>
+on Sandy’s face as he stared at the innocent
+questioner; then, as with an effort, he said,
+“I will, little lass, I will.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I would,” said little Prue, “and tell
+her there’s another little girl, what you
+know, sends her love to her, will you,
+Sandy?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Bless the bairn! Ye hae mair wisdom
+than ye ken;” adding under his breath,
+“a deal mair wisdom than Sandy McLeod.”
+</p>
+<p>
+It was Helen, who, while walking by his
+house, had heard Sandy playing the pipes
+ever so softly, and looking in, had seen
+him playing, and, at the same time, looking
+lovingly at the old Scotch costume as
+it lay spread out upon the wooden chest in
+which it was usually kept. She had coaxed
+a part of his story from him that day, and
+he had declared he felt better for the telling.
+</p>
+<p>
+The costume was one which his father
+had worn as chief of his clan when Sandy
+was a young man. There had been a dispute
+in which he and his father had been
+equally obstinate.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_193'></a>193</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+When the old man died, Sandy had left
+Scotland, taking with him the suit of tartan,
+the bagpipes, and, dearer than all, a
+letter in which his father forgave him for
+his part in the dispute. Further than this
+he refused to talk, saying nothing whatever
+as to living kinsmen or friends.
+</p>
+<p>
+Having told a part of his story to Helen,
+to which she listened with ready interest
+and sympathy, it needed but a hit of judicious
+coaxing to get him to promise to play
+at the apple-bee.
+</p>
+<p>
+And now the gayety, which had lulled
+while every one had listened to the music,
+revived, and each one present seemed to
+be trying his best to out-talk his neighbor.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Isn’t Miss Dayton’s blue dress the very
+handsomest dress you ever saw?” said
+Jemima Babson.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes, and isn’t she the handsomest person
+you ever saw in <em>any</em> dress?” said
+Phœbe Small, looking sharply at Randy,
+who was looking unusually pretty with her
+hair dressed to show its curls and ripples.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_194'></a>194</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Miss Dayton’s splendid, we all know
+that,” said Jotham, blushing furiously; “but
+it don’t make it out that Randy Weston
+isn’t amazing pretty.”
+</p>
+<p>
+And here another voice chimed in, “Did
+yer ever taste anything like that candy in
+yer life?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“It was just splendid, and I do b’lieve—”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Have ye noticed Mrs. Jenks? I do
+declare, she’s as much different from what
+she used ter be as possible. Why, she sent
+them fine apples, and gave the hull of them
+pumpkins, and—”
+</p>
+<p>
+Just at this point Mrs. Buffum ejaculated,
+“Well, as I live! ef it ain’t half-past ten
+o’clock,” and she commenced at once to
+collect her brood. All were loath to leave
+the joyous scene, but the lateness of the
+hour made it imperative. Some one proposed
+a song before saying good night, and
+soon old and young voices chimed sweetly
+together as they sang:—
+</p>
+<p>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“All&nbsp;&nbsp;the&nbsp;&nbsp;year&nbsp;&nbsp;round,&nbsp;&nbsp;all&nbsp;&nbsp;the&nbsp;&nbsp;year&nbsp;&nbsp;round,<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;What&nbsp;&nbsp;are&nbsp;&nbsp;the&nbsp;&nbsp;seasons&nbsp;&nbsp;to&nbsp;&nbsp;you&nbsp;&nbsp;or&nbsp;&nbsp;to&nbsp;&nbsp;me?<br />
+</p>
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_195'></a>195</span></div>
+<p>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Summer&nbsp;&nbsp;may&nbsp;&nbsp;go,&nbsp;&nbsp;bleak&nbsp;&nbsp;winds&nbsp;&nbsp;may&nbsp;&nbsp;blow,<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Roses&nbsp;&nbsp;crown&nbsp;&nbsp;winter&nbsp;&nbsp;if&nbsp;&nbsp;cheery&nbsp;&nbsp;we&nbsp;&nbsp;be.<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sounds&nbsp;&nbsp;of&nbsp;&nbsp;the&nbsp;&nbsp;glad&nbsp;&nbsp;spring,&nbsp;&nbsp;pleasures&nbsp;&nbsp;the&nbsp;&nbsp;birds&nbsp;&nbsp;bring,<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;These&nbsp;&nbsp;live&nbsp;&nbsp;in&nbsp;&nbsp;loving&nbsp;&nbsp;hearts&nbsp;&nbsp;where’er&nbsp;&nbsp;they’re&nbsp;&nbsp;found;<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sweet&nbsp;&nbsp;is&nbsp;&nbsp;the&nbsp;&nbsp;May&nbsp;&nbsp;time,&nbsp;&nbsp;sweet&nbsp;&nbsp;is&nbsp;&nbsp;the&nbsp;&nbsp;hay&nbsp;&nbsp;time,<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;So&nbsp;&nbsp;sweet&nbsp;&nbsp;are&nbsp;&nbsp;loving&nbsp;&nbsp;lips,&nbsp;&nbsp;all&nbsp;&nbsp;the&nbsp;&nbsp;year&nbsp;&nbsp;round.”<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+“Hooray for the apple-bee! Hooray for
+Miss Dayton!” shouted Reuben Jenks,
+“Hooray for the bagpipes and the dance!”
+Every one cheered, and Jotham, laughing
+at his friend’s enthusiasm, shouted, “Hooray
+for every one and everything!” and
+they even cheered that; so, laughing and
+cheering, with lively chatter and snatches
+of song, wraps were donned and good nights
+said.
+</p>
+<p>
+After the last guest had departed, Randy
+turned from the doorway, and going back
+into the house she sat down opposite her
+father, a happy smile upon her lips.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, Randy,” said her father, kindly,
+as he saw she had something to say.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, father,” she said, “doesn’t it make
+you happy to see every one having a good
+time?”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_196'></a>196</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes, indeed, it does,” said father and
+mother together.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I mean to try always to make people
+happy,” said Randy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“So do I,” said little Prue; “but now
+let’s go to bed.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy laughed, and saying, “You’ve
+done bravely, Prue, to keep your eyes open
+to-night,” led her little sister up the stairs
+to their tiny chamber, where soon they were
+fast asleep.
+</p>
+<p>
+The Babson girls talked until after midnight
+over the evening’s entertainment,
+declaring it to be the “very greatest bee
+they ever went to.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Phœbe Small, having no sister to talk it
+over with, kept the candle burning until
+late that night, while she wrote in her diary
+a lengthy description of the event. Phœbe
+had heard her mother tell of keeping a diary
+when she was young, so, of course, Phœbe,
+who ardently admired her mother, immediately
+commenced to keep one.
+</p>
+<p>
+Old Sandy McLeod, as he gallantly helped
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_197'></a>197</span>
+Helen Dayton to alight at Mrs. Gray’s door,
+thanked her over and over again for the
+pleasure she had given him in allowing him
+to be her escort, telling her that he was
+glad enough that she had urged him to play
+the pipes, since the music had given such
+pleasure; adding, “Old Nathan and old
+Sandy hae’ na been the best of friends and
+neighbors, but to-night we hae shaken hands
+an’ we’re to be friends forever.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, I’m so glad,” said Helen.
+</p>
+<p>
+“And ane thing mair, lass,” he interrupted,
+“about that letter the little lass
+was talking of, I’ll write it to-night!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“It is late, now,” said Helen.
+</p>
+<p>
+“None too late to write. I’ll do it to-night
+and sen’ it to-morrow, as sure as I’m
+Sandy McLeod.”
+</p>
+<p>
+True to his word, Sandy sat at his table
+until late into the night, writing a long,
+long letter. The candle flickered as his
+hand moved back and forth across the pages.
+</p>
+<p>
+Many times he paused while writing, and
+with his head resting upon his hand, he
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_198'></a>198</span>
+seemed to be thinking how best to express
+himself, so that his message might find
+favor with his old friend and playmate.
+</p>
+<p>
+At last, apparently, the letter was completed
+satisfactorily; for as the old man
+arose from the table, a faint smile flitted
+across his face.
+</p>
+<p>
+Crossing the room to the old chest by the
+window, he fumbled about until he brought
+from its depths a little package; then,
+walking to the table, he placed the tiny
+parcel between the folded pages of the letter,
+put the letter into its envelope, and with
+utmost care addressed it, reading the address
+over three times to make sure that it was
+correct. Under his pillow he placed the
+letter, saying, “With the light o’ day I’ll
+start ye on the journey.” And of all the
+merry party who laughed and sang away
+the hours at the apple-bee, not one possessed
+a happier heart than Sandy.
+</p>
+<p>
+And Helen murmured, softly, as she lay
+half awake and half asleep, “Every one
+was happy to-night.”
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_199'></a>199</span><a name='chXI' id='chXI'></a>CHAPTER XI—AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR</h2>
+<p>
+The sun rose in golden splendor one
+morning to find that a curtain of purple
+haze prevented his sunship from showing
+all his dazzling glory.
+</p>
+<p>
+It was indeed a typical October morning
+in New England. For a time the haze prevailed,
+holding her own bravely against the
+sun, who struggled for supremacy; but at
+last he rose triumphant, the mist softly
+melting away beneath his warm rays.
+</p>
+<p>
+How fair and tall the slender birches
+looked as the bright rays gilded their
+white trunks! How cool and deep the
+little pool which reflected the birches and
+brakes which overhung its edge; and far
+away across the field a great black crow
+flew, cawing as he winged his way, then
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_200'></a>200</span>
+perched upon a slender twig which swayed
+beneath his weight. Tiny sparrows twittered
+and chirped as they hopped
+about among the dried weeds, searching
+among the seed vessels for a possible breakfast.
+</p>
+<p>
+Truly, all things were beautiful that
+morning; and Randy, from her chamber
+window, looked out upon the lovely scene,
+and on her face a smile and tear appeared,—a
+smile on the sweet lips in memory of the
+summer’s pleasure; a tear at the thought
+of Helen’s departure.
+</p>
+<p>
+“It has been the nicest summer I have ever
+known,” mused Randy, softly. “Everything
+has looked prettier since she taught me how
+to look at things. How sweetly she thanked
+me for the rose I cut for her without spilling
+one of the dewdrops. ’Twas only a
+little thing, yet she thanked me as if the
+dewdrops were diamonds. Why, she just
+made me wild to find something to give to
+every one, if giving made such pleasure. I
+remember that I said I often wished I had
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_201'></a>201</span>
+more to give, and she showed me, oh, so
+plainly, that a smile or a pleasant word
+was worth the giving that I felt at once
+as if I were rich; for any one can say a
+pleasant word and all of us can smile.
+Oh, she’s done us ‘a world of good,’ as the
+parson’s wife said.”
+</p>
+<p>
+While Randy dreamed at her window,
+Helen stood in the doorway at Mrs. Gray’s,
+and she, too, was thinking of the summer
+so happily spent.
+</p>
+<p>
+Soon she would be at home, and in a few
+months the winter season would bring a
+round of social engagements.
+</p>
+<p>
+Why had the days so quietly spent
+seemed so charming? What was the
+secret of their charm? Happy she had
+been,—very, very happy,—and so swiftly
+had the weeks sped that it seemed impossible
+that October had arrived. She had chosen
+to spend the summer, contrary to her usual
+custom, in a little country village, with no
+other thought than that in such a place she
+could be sure of rest and quiet.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_202'></a>202</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+She was a girl of generous impulses, and
+after becoming acquainted with the people
+of the neighborhood of the Gray homestead,
+many an opportunity for a gracious word
+or a generous action presented itself. How
+gently and with what ready tact she had
+made herself a friend to young and old,
+was proven by the genuine regret manifested
+whenever her departure was mentioned.
+</p>
+<p>
+Helen had a host of friends of whom to
+take leave, and all were charmed and
+gladdened to hear that they would see
+her sweet face again sometime during the
+winter. She had called to see old Sandy
+once more before her departure, and he
+had had a wonderful bit of news to tell.
+</p>
+<p>
+The letter which he had written after his
+return from the apple-bee he had posted
+early on the following morning. It was
+addressed to Miss Margaret McLean, and
+Sandy explained that, as her father had
+been a prominent manufacturer in the little
+Scottish town in which they had lived for
+years, holding large business interests and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_203'></a>203</span>
+owning a number of mills which bore his
+name, the daughter, his only child, must be
+well known there; so he had trusted that
+the letter, written after so many years’ delay,
+might be promptly delivered.
+</p>
+<p>
+Strangely enough, it had never occurred to
+Sandy to wonder if his old playmate were
+still living. To his great joy, an answer
+to the letter came sooner than he had
+expected. She was still waiting for him,
+she said, as she had ever waited, hoping
+that the time would come when he would
+forgive her for teasing him,—it had been
+but a girlish freak,—and tell her that he
+loved her as of old.
+</p>
+<p>
+Her father had lost much of his money
+before he died, but she had a “bit of property,”
+she said, and she had sold her little
+cottage and would leave on the next steamer
+for America. She would bring with her a
+little Scotch lass, an orphan whom she had
+befriended and trained to be a little maid-servant;
+and, insisting that Sandy should
+meet her and go at once to some kirk to be
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_204'></a>204</span>
+married, she closed her letter with love
+to Sandy and a blessing for Helen and the
+wee lass, Prue. To Helen’s congratulations
+he would only say, “It’s your doing, lass,
+yours and the bairnie’s.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Sandy confided to Helen that he had
+been afraid that Margaret might doubt that
+he and the Sandy McLeod of her youth
+were one and the same; but, he added: “I
+had a proof, I had a proof, lass! I had
+a lock o’ her bonnie hair tied wi’ a knot
+o’ blue ribbon. I knew she’d na forget
+gi’en’ it to me, and I put it in the
+letter.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That was clever,” said Helen.
+</p>
+<p>
+“An’ she said she’d bring it back wi’ her
+when she sailed for America,” added the
+old Scotchman, joyously; and Helen left
+him happy in the thought that although
+her farewell saddened him, there soon
+would be a dearer friend to greet him.
+</p>
+<p>
+Farmer Gray had driven to the village
+early that morning, and when he returned
+he greeted Helen cheerily, at the same time
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_205'></a>205</span>
+handing her a letter, saying, “I hope it is
+full of good news, Miss Dayton.”
+</p>
+<p>
+It proved to be a letter from her aunt,
+urging Helen to start at once for home, as
+an uncle who had not seen her since she
+was a very little girl was making a short
+stay in Boston, and wished very much to
+see his niece before he returned to his home
+in a western city.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I am proud of you, Helen, as you know,”
+wrote the dear old lady, “and I so earnestly
+wish Robert to see you that I wish you
+would start as soon as you receive this
+letter.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Helen left for Boston early that morning,
+asking Mrs. Gray to tell Randy that she
+would write to her as soon as she reached
+home. Helen’s departure was only a day
+earlier than she had intended, yet she
+regretted to leave in such haste. She had
+wished to bid Randy and dear little Prue
+an affectionate good-by and reiterate her
+promise of a flying visit sometime during
+the winter months.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_206'></a>206</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+As she sat looking out of the car window
+and watched the little town receding, she
+thought of Randy’s sweet face, and like a
+vision it appeared before her with grieved
+eyes and quivering lips, just as she knew
+the girl would look when Mrs. Gray told
+her of her friend’s departure. Then a bright
+thought occurred to her, and a happy smile
+played about her lips.
+</p>
+<p>
+Opening her little bag she took from it a
+block of paper, such as she had used for
+memoranda, and with a pencil she commenced
+a note to Randy. She would obtain
+an envelope and stamp as soon as she reached
+Boston. Helen possessed a merry wit, and
+leaf after leaf of the little block she filled
+with a breezy account of her journey. She
+described at length the man with three immense
+leather bags, who tried in vain to
+walk down the aisle with all that baggage,
+and was at last compelled to make three
+separate trips; the old lady with a box containing
+a cat which mewed dismally all the
+way; the woman with four children, who
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_207'></a>207</span>
+seemed to have an endless supply of lunches,
+yet cried for more; the boy peddling prize
+candy, and any number of small happenings.
+</p>
+<p>
+The writing served to make the long ride
+less tedious, and she knew that the letter
+would make Randy smile through her tears.
+</p>
+<hr class='tb' />
+<p>
+When Randy and Prue appeared at breakfast
+time they were amazed to find Aunt
+Prudence at the table.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, when did you come?” questioned
+Prue, abruptly, staring at her aunt as if that
+lady had been an apparition instead of a
+very tangible reality.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I came last night, after you children was
+in bed,” said Aunt Prudence, “and I guess
+your father was ’bout as s’prised as you be.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Wal’, I guess I was,” said Mr. Weston.
+“Ye was the last person I expected to see
+when I stopped near the depot to talk with
+neighbor Gray, but I was jest as glad to see
+ye as ef ye’d sent word ye was comin’.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Mrs. Weston also hastened to assure her
+that her unexpected arrival was a pleasant
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_208'></a>208</span>
+surprise, but the children could not say a
+word. Prue was filled with a dread of
+Aunt Prudence’s sharp eyes, which would
+be sure to detect any sign of plotted mischief;
+and Randy, knowing Prue’s intense
+dislike of supervision, realized that careful
+watching, amounting almost to strategy,
+would be necessary to keep the little girl
+from vexing Aunt Prudence, thereby actually
+showing her how intensely she disliked her.
+</p>
+<p>
+Although the morning hours were fully
+occupied, Randy was aware of a subtle
+sense of change in Aunt Prudence. She
+looked as angular and austere as before,
+but her voice seemed less shrill, and her
+sharp eyes behind her glasses looked out
+with a softened light.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Perhaps we didn’t really know her
+before,” said Randy to Prue.
+</p>
+<p>
+“P’r’aps maybe we didn’t,” answered
+Prue. “She calls me Prudence same’s
+she did before, but she says it diffe’nt.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s it,” said Randy, “her voice is
+pleasanter.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_209'></a>209</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“And her eyes isn’t always looking at
+me, so I don’t darest to move,” said
+Prue.
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy turned away quickly, that Prue
+need not see her laughing. The idea
+that any one could prevent her little sister
+from indulging in almost perpetual motion,
+seemed utterly funny to her.
+</p>
+<p>
+Half an hour later Randy chanced to
+hear Prue talking to Tabby, just under
+the kitchen window.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now, Tabby,” she was saying, “if you
+lie real still while I drag you ’round, you’ll
+get a lovely ride and nobody’ll ever know
+it; but if you squirm and act naughty, I’ll
+put the basket right back in Aunt Prudence’s
+room, and I won’t give you any
+ride at all.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy waited to hear no more, for upon
+looking out over the wide window-sill she
+espied naughty little Prue dragging Miss
+Prudence’s best cap basket around the
+dooryard. She had made Tabby lie in the
+basket, then pressing down the cover
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_210'></a>210</span>
+she had fastened the little straw loop and
+thus locked Tabby into a very close carriage.
+Out rushed Randy, to rescue
+Tabby and the pretty basket at the same
+time.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What makes you think to do such
+naughty things, Prue Weston?” said indignant
+Randy; “don’t you know you’re
+plaguing Tabby and Aunt Prudence at the
+same time?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Tabby likes to ride,” asserted Prue,
+“and I don’t care if I do plague—” but
+the mischievous little elf did not finish the
+sentence, for on looking up, there stood
+Aunt Prudence in the doorway.
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy’s face was suffused with hot
+blushes, and Prue, naughty little Prue,
+looked completely abashed.
+</p>
+<p>
+Aunt Prudence was the first to speak.
+“Bring my basket to me,” said she,
+abruptly, but not unkindly.
+</p>
+<p>
+Slowly Prue unfastened the cover of the
+pretty, round cap basket, and with even
+more moderation Tabby stepped out, stopping to yawn
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_211'></a>211</span>
+and stretch while her hind
+legs were still in the basket.
+</p>
+<p>
+Prue stooped and energetically lifted her
+out upon the ground. Randy watched
+Aunt Prudence while Prue walked very
+slowly toward her, the forefinger of her
+left hand in her mouth, while with the
+right hand she reluctantly handed the
+basket to its owner.
+</p>
+<p>
+Did Aunt Prudence smile? Randy
+thought she espied a twinkle in the
+sharp eyes behind the glasses.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now,” said Aunt Prudence, “s’pose you
+come into my room while I show you something
+worth looking at.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Into the house, slowly following Aunt
+Prudence, went Prue and Randy, filled with
+mingled curiosity and dread of the thing
+which they were soon to see.
+</p>
+<p>
+Aunt Prudence bent over her little hair-covered
+trunk, lifting aside this parcel and
+that until, oh, could it be true, a cunning
+little wooden cradle, painted bright red,
+made Prue utter a shrill cry of delight.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_212'></a>212</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh! oh! is it for me?” cried Prue. “Oh,
+I am so sorry I was naughty!”
+</p>
+<p>
+Aunt Prudence put the cradle into Prue’s
+chubby hands, who at once held it up for
+Randy to admire.
+</p>
+<p>
+“It’s a beauty,” said Randy. “Oh, Prue,
+you’d ought to be good now.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I will,” said Prue; then, turning to
+Aunt Prudence, she said, “I guess I almost
+love you now, and I won’t ever plague
+you.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, I guess my basket ain’t hurt much
+this time; but don’t borry it again, child. I
+guess the cradle will ’bout fit Tabby.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, I do b’lieve it will! I’ll go and
+‘medjure’ her in it,” said Prue, and away
+she scampered in search of her kitty.
+</p>
+<p>
+Left alone with her aunt, Randy hesitated
+a moment, then venturing a step
+nearer, she said, “I think you were very
+good to give the pretty cradle to Prue just
+when she’d been so naughty; but,” added
+Randy, as usual anxious to shield her little
+sister, “she isn’t always naughty, and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_213'></a>213</span>
+now I’m ’most sure she’ll try to please you.”
+She looked up wistfully, hoping for a kindly
+word for Prue whom she loved so dearly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Children will be children,” said Aunt
+Prudence, with a grim smile. “I guess
+she’s no wuss’n the average.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Father says you never had days of
+being naughty when you were a little girl,
+so I should think Prue’d seem extra naughty
+to you,” said Randy, slowly moving the toe
+of her shoe back and forth along the cracks
+in the floor. As she glanced shyly at her
+aunt, hoping for one more consoling word
+in regard to Prue, she was much surprised
+and relieved to see Aunt Prudence actually
+smiling.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I guess your father’s forgot about the
+time I threw his hat down the well to see
+if it would float.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Did <em>you</em> do that?” asked Randy, in
+surprise.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes,” said Aunt Prudence, “and what’s
+more, I did it on purpose to plague him.
+He was goin’ fishin’, and I wanted to go,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_214'></a>214</span>
+too. He said girls wus no good at fishin’
+and went to the shed to get his rod and line,
+whistlin’ in a way that provoked me. His
+hat was on the grass near where I was
+standing, and, quick as a flash, I snatched
+it up and threw it down the well, thinkin’
+it would delay his fishin’ trip for one while.
+It didn’t, though. He went bare-headed;
+and soon’s ’twas found out what I’d done,
+I got punished for spoilin’ his hat. Yes,
+your father remembers my good days, an’
+it’s just like him to forget that I ever had
+naughty ones. But, Randy,” she said
+abruptly, “ye don’t ask if I brought anything
+in my trunk for you.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, I never thought of it,” said
+Randy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Like enough,” said Aunt Prudence; “it
+seems to me ye nearly always think of
+somebody besides yourself, Randy. I must
+say, I approve of ye. Yer father, every
+time he writes me, has something ter tell
+of you children; and now you jest help me
+unpack my trunk, an’ I’ll show ye something that, ef
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_215'></a>215</span>
+I ain’t mistaken, will please
+ye mightily.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Indeed, I’ll help you. I’ll like to,”
+said Randy, and soon the contents of the
+trunk were spread upon the bed. Those
+garments which could be hung up were
+placed upon hooks in the closet, and other
+articles were neatly folded in the bureau
+drawers. One puffy-looking package remained;
+this Aunt Prudence placed in
+Randy’s hands, saying, “There, Randy,
+there’s the material for making some
+Christmas presents; and if it makes ye
+happy, I’ll be glad of it.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Very eagerly Randy untied the parcel,
+and uttered a little cry of delight when
+the open wrapping disclosed some beautiful
+colored worsteds of various hues.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ll teach ye ter knit while I’m here,”
+said Aunt Prudence. “And now the evenings
+are beginning to be cool, ye might
+begin ter make a pretty little shawl for
+yer mother out of that deep red worsted;
+I guess there’s enough of it. That blue
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_216'></a>216</span>
+yarn will make some mittens for little
+Prudence, and the rest of it ye can do
+what ye like with.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy’s delight knew no bounds, and
+she could hardly wait to hunt for needles
+and have her first lesson in knitting.
+</p>
+<p>
+That night, in their little chamber under
+the eaves, the children talked of Aunt Prudence.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I always said Aunt Prudence might be
+nice, if we really knew her,” said Randy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes,” said Prue, “you said that when
+she was here before, I ’member it; but,
+Randy,” she added, “that was when I was
+a little girl.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy stifled a laugh, “Why, Prue, what
+are you now?” said she.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now, Randy, you do know you medjured
+me last Saturday, and you said I’d
+growed most a inch.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, so you have,” said Randy, gently,
+“and it’s likely you’ll grow a lot more this
+winter.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Course I will,” said Prue, “and, oh,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_217'></a>217</span>
+Randy, mustn’t Aunt Prudence have growed
+awful fast when she was a little girl? Just
+think how big she is now! She’s growed
+good awful fast, too, Randy,” she continued,
+“for she wouldn’t have gived me that little
+cradle for anything the last time she was
+here, would she, Randy?”
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy ignored this question.
+</p>
+<p>
+“We ought to be going to sleep, Prue,”
+she said; “but I’ll tell you something first:
+I mean to be just as nice to Aunt Prudence
+as I can, while she stays here.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“So do I,” said little Prue. “I told her
+to-day when her needle plagued her, I told
+her I’d fred all her needles when she was
+sewing, and you’d never guess what she
+said, Randy. She said I was a good little
+girl,—she did, truly.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The patter of raindrops on the roof soon
+lulled the children to sleep, and in their
+dreams Aunt Prudence figured as the Goddess
+of Plenty, distributing gifts with lavish
+hands.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_218'></a>218</span><a name='chXII' id='chXII'></a>CHAPTER XII—A WEDDING FEAST</h2>
+<p>
+Sunday morning Randy and Prue were
+early at church, and as they leaned back
+against the pew, in expectation of one of
+Parson Spooner’s long sermons, Randy put
+her hand in her pocket and lovingly caressed
+a square envelope which she had placed there
+before starting for church.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Got any candy in your pocket, Randy?”
+eagerly questioned Prue, as she leaned
+toward her sister. Randy shook her
+head.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Didn’t Jotham give you some when he
+speaked to you at the door?” she asked in
+such a loud whisper that Randy ejaculated
+“sh-sh,” and again shook her head.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Then what’s in your pocket?” persisted
+Prue.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_219'></a>219</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy drew Helen’s precious letter from
+her pocket, showing just enough of the
+envelope to satisfy Prue’s curiosity. Then
+the little girl took a hymn book from the
+rack, and with her wee forefinger commenced
+to point out, and at the same time
+name those letters which she knew. She
+found every O upon the page, then every
+S, and Randy thought best to let her thus
+amuse herself as, at least, she was quiet—a
+most unusual thing.
+</p>
+<p>
+Helen had mailed the letter at once
+upon reaching Boston, and Mr. Weston
+had brought it from the village on the following
+day and placed it in Randy’s hand
+as she sat listening to Mrs. Gray, who had
+called to deliver Helen’s message.
+</p>
+<p>
+“A letter for me, father?” questioned
+Randy in surprise. “Why, who’s it
+from?”
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Weston laughed. “Shouldn’t wonder
+if ye had to open it to find out, Randy,”
+said he.
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy opened it and laughed with delight
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_220'></a>220</span>
+when she found it was from Helen. She
+had read it three times and had taken it to
+church with her, because she said she “just
+couldn’t leave it at home.”
+</p>
+<p>
+So Sunday morning Randy kept her
+mind upon the sermon, and her hand
+upon the letter. The sermon had been less
+lengthy than usual, and when the good
+old pastor had closed the Bible, he removed
+his spectacles; and as he slowly
+wiped them, he said: “Dear friends, I have
+a notice to give to-day, or perhaps I should
+say an invitation, and there could be no
+better time or place for what I have to say.
+</p>
+<p>
+“A quiet wedding ceremony took place
+at a little church in New York City, the contracting
+parties being our friend and neighbor,
+Mr. Sandy McLeod,—or, as the papers
+have it, Alexander McLeod,—and Miss Margaret
+McLean of Scotland, an old playmate
+and friend, from whom our friend has been
+separated many years. I have received a
+delightful letter from him in which I am
+asked to make this announcement, and to
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_221'></a>221</span>
+say that they will be at home on Wednesday
+evening. They extend an invitation
+to all the good people of this town to be
+present, and an especially urgent request
+that all the children be there.”
+</p>
+<p>
+What a stir that announcement made!
+What a great event!
+</p>
+<p>
+Sandy’s farm was one of the finest in
+the neighborhood, and his house the largest
+and most substantial in the place; but
+Helen and Parson Spooner were the only
+people who had ever entered it, save Sandy
+himself and the men who worked for him.
+</p>
+<p>
+Fabulous tales the men had told of the
+fine things which the house contained; so
+curiosity was rife regarding it, and now
+every one, even the little ones of the parish,
+were bidden welcome.
+</p>
+<p>
+After church Randy stopped a moment
+to speak to the Babson girls and Phœbe
+Small, to tell them of the letter from Helen,
+promising to read it to them if they would
+call on Monday afternoon.
+</p>
+<p>
+The girls promised, saying, “You can
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_222'></a>222</span>
+read us the letter, and then we’ll talk over
+the party, or whatever it is to be, at Sandy
+McLeod’s.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Promptly, on Monday afternoon, the
+girls arrived, and the letter was produced
+and read. How they laughed at
+Helen’s bright description of the events
+of her homeward journey. Phœbe Small
+felt that in receiving the letter Randy had
+been especially favored. A little twinge of
+jealousy caused her to part her lips to
+make a sharp little speech; but, remembering
+a promise to Helen, and her own
+resolution, she said pleasantly, “You must
+have been pleased to receive it, Randy; I’m
+glad she wrote it to you.”
+</p>
+<p>
+It was so unlike her usual remarks that
+the Babson girls looked at each other; but
+Randy slipped her arm around Phœbe as
+they stood by the window, and Phœbe felt
+rewarded.
+</p>
+<p>
+They talked earnestly over the event of
+Wednesday evening, and all were enthusiastically
+expectant.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_223'></a>223</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+As the afternoon waned, the girls took
+leave of Randy, looking back as they went
+down the road to call to her, “We’ll see
+you Wednesday night.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Wednesday proved to be a lovely day,
+and the evening sky was bright with
+stars, the air cold and crisp when the
+merry party drove up to Sandy’s door.
+As no one wished to be the first to arrive,
+a large party met at Mrs. Weston’s house
+and together they drove to the McLeod
+farm.
+</p>
+<p>
+The large house was ablaze with lights,
+and as the teams stopped, the door was
+opened wide and a cheery voice shouted,
+“It’s glad we are to see ye, friends, come
+in, come in,” and Sandy led the way
+proudly to a silver-haired little woman,
+who stood waiting to greet her husband’s
+friends and neighbors.
+</p>
+<p>
+Such a sweet-faced little woman, who
+had a gentle, gracious word for every
+new friend, and a kiss for each one of
+the children.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_224'></a>224</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+When Sandy brought Prue to her,
+saying, “This is the little lass, Margaret,
+wha said ‘write the letter,’” she took the
+child upon her lap and put her arms
+about her, saying, “Bless the bairn, will
+ye come sometimes to see me? it wad
+gae me much pleasure.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, yes, I will come,” answered Prue,
+“if I may bring Randy. She’s my big
+sister, and there’s no one like her anywhere.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Prue was assured that Randy would
+be more than welcome. Every one was
+charmed with the gentle little Scotch
+woman, who seemed equally pleased with
+her new friends.
+</p>
+<p>
+They sometimes found it a bit difficult
+to understand her. Sandy had been so long
+in America, and had tried so earnestly to
+be like his neighbors, that he expressed
+himself in very good English, with here
+and there a bit of his old dialect appearing.
+His wife, however, had lived in a little
+town some miles distant from the city, and
+used many words which, while in common
+use in the Scottish village, were utterly
+unknown to her new friends. But her
+manner could not be misunderstood. It
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_225'></a>225</span>
+was unmistakably the manner of a gentle,
+lovely character, bearing good-will to
+all.
+</p>
+<div><a name='f225' id='f225'></a></div>
+<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='i010' id='i010'></a>
+<img src="images/illus-225.jpg" alt="“At the Head of a Long Table stood Helen Dayton”" title=""/><br />
+<span class='caption'>“At the Head of a Long Table stood Helen Dayton”</span>
+</div>
+<p>
+The hum of conversation rose to a din
+as the young people laughed and chatted.
+All had been admiring the furnishings,
+which were indeed charming. There were
+some quaint old chairs which had belonged
+to Sandy’s father; a large family portrait
+hung on the wall above the fireplace;
+some beautiful old candlesticks in which
+bright tapers burned; and the evident delight
+of their guests charmed Sandy and
+his dear old wife.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now, friends,” said Sandy, stepping forward,
+“ye ha’ all seen my Margaret, noo
+will ye walk this way and I’ll gie ye another
+surprise,” and he led the way to the
+end of the parlor, where he opened a door,
+and there at the head of a long table, spread
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_226'></a>226</span>
+with a feast such as no one in the village
+had ever seen, stood Helen Dayton.
+</p>
+<p>
+With a sharp cry of delight Randy
+ran to greet her, and was folded in Helen’s
+arms. Then every one crowded about
+Miss Dayton, and many were the questions
+with which she was plied.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I cannot answer all these questions,”
+she said with a merry laugh; “but I’ll tell
+you how I happened to be here again so
+soon. I hastened home, as many of you
+know, to see my Uncle Robert, who was to
+be in Boston but a few days, and on the
+day of his departure for the West I received
+the glad news of the wedding in a most
+delightful letter, which also contained a
+cordial invitation for me to be present and
+surprise you all to-night.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“We’re glad enough to see you again,”
+said Jotham Potts, and a chorus of voices
+echoed the boy’s frank speech.
+</p>
+<p>
+Then the feast began. Such a treat it
+was to Sandy’s neighbors and friends. The
+children were fairly wild with excitement.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_227'></a>227</span>
+A giant wedding cake graced the centre of
+the table, and the beautiful frosting, with
+its garlands of flowers and little sugar
+cupids, delighted the children, who thought
+it the finest thing which they had ever
+seen.
+</p>
+<p>
+A huge platter of roast turkey on one
+end of the table, and one of roast goose
+on the other, proved very tempting; and a
+chicken pie with its fluted crust was not to
+be ignored.
+</p>
+<p>
+When these were removed, Sandy filled
+their places with huge fancy baskets of
+fruit; and still the candles burned and
+flickered, and the hum of merry voices filled
+the old house with gladness. At a late
+hour the happy party left, the neighbors,
+one and all, wishing the dear old couple
+every blessing, and promising to be as
+neighborly as their busy lives would permit.
+</p>
+<p>
+To Randy, Helen said: “I shall not run
+away this time without saying good-by.
+I will come to-morrow and spend a little
+time with you, and then you may go with
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_228'></a>228</span>
+me to the village, where I must take the
+train for home.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Bright and early on the following day,
+Randy was up, singing as she moved about
+the kitchen, as usual, trying to help.
+</p>
+<p>
+“She’s coming to-day, she’s coming to-day,”
+sang Prue, as she skipped about the
+room, and Randy’s heart joined gladly in
+the song.
+</p>
+<p>
+At that very moment Helen was coming
+up the walk, and as she tapped lightly at
+the door, Prue ran to let her in.
+</p>
+<p>
+How bright she looked in her cloth gown
+and trim jacket, her feather collar and
+bewitching hat. She took off her wraps,
+as Mrs. Weston suggested, and sat down
+to chat with Randy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What is the news?” said Helen.
+“What has happened during my absence,
+Randy?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Very little has happened,” said Randy,
+“only a few things. School is to open
+next week; that’s a week earlier than
+last year, and Mr. Lawton says he’ll keep
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_229'></a>229</span>
+his best room warm enough for us if it
+takes his whole woodpile.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“And I’m going to school,” said Prue,
+and she looked at Helen as if she expected
+to see that young lady stunned by such an
+announcement.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m going to study reading and rifm-tic,”
+she added, hoping to produce even
+more of an impression.
+</p>
+<p>
+Helen and Randy laughed, “I hope they
+will reserve ‘rifm-tic,’” said Helen, “until
+a little later.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“When there is snow,” said Randy,
+“we can coast on our sled down to Mr.
+Lawton’s house, without stopping; and
+although I’m pretty tall this winter, I
+think I shall coast just as I did last season,
+only this year Prue will sit behind me.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“And Jotham ’most always drags her
+home, so she don’t have to walk ’t all,”
+said Prue, anxious to tell all the particulars.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Randy is fortunate to have such an
+accommodating friend,” said Helen, “and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_230'></a>230</span>
+now I have something to tell you. I have
+been helping my aunt to make some plans
+for the winter, and I have really found
+three days at the Christmas holidays for
+which I have made no engagements, and,
+if it will please you, Randy, I will give
+those days to you.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Mrs. Weston paused in her work to say,
+“We shall all be pleased to have you with
+us, and Randy will be wild until you come.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Helen had taken leave of Sandy and his
+wife at their home, so when Randy’s father
+brought the old horse and wagon to the
+door, she said good-by to Mrs. Weston and
+little Prue, and with Randy and her father
+rode to the depot at the centre.
+</p>
+<p>
+They arrived just a few moments before
+the train was due, and Helen and Randy
+walked up and down the platform, talking
+earnestly over the promised visit and the
+winter schooldays so soon to commence.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I shall think of you every day,” said
+Randy, “and I mean to study so hard this
+winter that some day, when I write, I shall
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_231'></a>231</span>
+be able to tell you that I am at the head of
+my class.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That is right,” said Helen; “ambition
+and hard work will accomplish wonders.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Just then the whistle sounded, and soon
+the train came around the curve and stopped
+at the little station.
+</p>
+<p>
+Very gently Helen kissed Randy, saying,
+“Remember I shall soon be here again.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Then the train started, and through her
+tears Randy saw Helen’s beautiful, smiling
+face at the window. When the last car
+was out of sight, Randy turned toward her
+father a face which was a combination of
+smiles and tears.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, Randy,” said he, “which is it,
+laughing or crying?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Both,” said Randy, “crying because I
+am sorry to have her go, and smiling because
+I know just when she will come
+again. And, now, father, I am going to
+tell you something. I mean to be the best
+scholar in school this year. I’d like to be
+able to talk and write as well as Miss Dayton does.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_232'></a>232</span>
+I don’t suppose I could do that,
+but I will come as near as I can,” and
+Randy looked to her father for his approval.
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s right, Randy, that’s right,” said
+her father, heartily, “and now, I’ll tell
+<em>you</em> something. Sandy McLeod says that
+if Nathan Lawton gives the use of his best
+room for a schoolroom to the children, he
+isn’t going to have Nathan outdo him, so
+he’s offered a prize of a five-dollar gold
+piece to be given to the best scholar at the
+school this winter. I am glad that you
+spoke your mind before you knew about
+the prize. I’m willing you should try for
+it, but I’m glad to know that you intended
+to study before you had any idea of a prize
+to be won.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ll make myself a good scholar,” said
+Randy, “and I’ll get the prize, too.”
+Randy never forgot that morning.
+</p>
+<p>
+Years after, the scene, in all its completeness,
+would rise before her with a perfection
+of detail that would for a moment startle
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_233'></a>233</span>
+her; the old mare leisurely crawling up the
+road toward home; the stone walls along
+the sides of the road, still covered with
+blackberry vines, their foliage russet-colored
+against the cold gray stones, and their
+thorny stems red in the October sunshine.
+</p>
+<p>
+Across the roads the fields were dry and
+dun-colored, but in places the grass was
+still green, and over all the bright blue
+sky with its floating clouds. Birds twittered
+in the tree-tops or flew in swirling
+lines above the sunny fields, and everywhere,
+although the trees were bare and
+the flowers gone, a feeling of gladness and
+cheer seemed present.
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy turned to speak to her father and
+found that he was looking curiously at her.
+“Oh, father,” said she, “I was just thinking
+that it seems as if everything was glad
+for some reason this morning. I don’t
+know how to tell you just how I feel, but
+the sky seems so bright, the birds are singing,
+and when I looked at you I thought
+that you looked glad too.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_234'></a>234</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, Randy, I see just what you mean.
+It is bright and glad and sunny to-day, and
+as to my looking glad, I think I ought to.
+I’ve got your mother, and Prue, and you,
+Randy, and I’ve got something more to be
+thankful for—something to be thankful to
+<em>you</em> for.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Thankful to <em>me</em>!” gasped Randy, in
+amazement.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes, Randy, yes. I got a letter last
+night. Ye know I went down to the centre
+after supper, and I didn’t get home ’til after
+you and Prue was in bed. Well, I wasn’t
+expecting to hear from anybody, special,
+and I never opened the letter ’til I’d put
+the cat out and fastened up. Then I
+thought of the letter and sat down at the
+table to read it. Yer mother was puttin’
+the last stitches into a stockin’ she was
+mendin’ when I came to a place in the
+letter that made me hop. Mother came,
+and looking over my shoulder read the line
+I put my finger on.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Randy, do ye remember that day last
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_235'></a>235</span>
+summer when ye listened at the roadside to
+what Jason Meade was sayin’ ’bout makin’
+me sell my pasture land to him? Do yer
+rec’lect how ye run ’til ye was ’bout beat
+out to reach me ’fore he could, and how ye
+begged me not to sell?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, yes,” said Randy; then in sudden
+fear, “he didn’t make you, did he, father?”
+</p>
+<p>
+The girl’s wide open eyes looked anxiously
+up into his face as she grasped his
+arm and waited for an answer.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Make me! Well, I guess not! Randy,
+that letter was from the big railroad company,
+and, val’ble as I thought the land
+would be, they’ve offered me more’n I ever
+dreamed of. I shan’t be what city folks
+would call wealthy, but I’ll be ’stonishin’
+well off. Your mother and I will be able
+to take things a little easier; and, Randy,
+you shall have all the schoolin’ ye want,
+and so shall little Prue. I’d ’bout made up
+my mind to let Meade have that land, he
+seemed to have set his mind on it; and I
+b’lieve I should have let him have it, ef you
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_236'></a>236</span>
+had gone on ter Mis’ Gray’s and stopped to
+tea with Miss Dayton, as you intended.
+But for you my land would have been in
+Jason Meade’s hands, and I might ’a’ whistled
+fer it. You gave up your pleasure to
+do the right thing at the right time; as I
+said that day, I’ve got a daughter to be
+thankful for.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, father,” said Randy, “it seemed a
+little thing to do, but I was so anxious to
+reach you in time that I forgot everything
+else, even Miss Dayton and the tea at Mrs.
+Gray’s.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, ye did yer duty, Randy, even
+when ye feared the men would find ye
+listening and be angry. Always be brave
+to do right, as ye did that time, and ye’ll
+make a fine woman.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Small wonder that Randy remembered
+that morning’s ride! The bright sunlight
+of her father’s commendation seemed to
+outshine nature’s sunshine. The thought
+that she had been instrumental in bringing
+good fortune to her parents, who had toiled
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_237'></a>237</span>
+early and late, filled Randy’s heart with a
+gladness which she would have found difficult
+to describe.
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Weston accepted the company’s offer
+for his land, and with their good fortune
+he and his wife seemed to have regained
+a bit of their youth; and they were never
+happier than when making plans for Randy
+and Prue or lending a helping hand to
+some friend or neighbor less fortunate
+than themselves.
+</p>
+<p>
+Randy still indulges in day-dreams which,
+at present, are filled with anticipations of
+schooldays so near at hand, and the winter’s
+pleasures which the boys and girls
+of the village are already planning; and
+when next we meet Randy and Prue, it
+will be in “Randy’s Winter.”
+</p>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+<span style='font-weight:bold;'>AMERICAN GIRLS’ SERIES</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+<em>Standard Copyright Books for Girls by American Authors</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+Thirty-five titles Each complete in itself.
+</p>
+<p>
+Uniform cloth binding
+</p>
+<p>
+New cover design
+</p>
+<p>
+Price per volume $1.00
+</p>
+<div class='figleft' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='i011' id='i011'></a>
+<img src='images/illus-ad1.jpg' alt='' title=''/><br />
+</div>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>1. <b>Battles at Home</b> By Mary G. Darling</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>2. <b>Captain Molly</b> By Mary A. Denison</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>3. <b>Daisy Travers</b> By Adelaide F. Samuels</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>4. <b>Deerings of Medbury, The</b> By Virginia F. Townsend</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>5. <b>Her Friend’s Lover</b> By Sophie May</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>6. <b>Hollands, The</b> By Virginia F. Townsend</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>7. <b>In Trust</b> By Amanda M. Douglas</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>8. <b>In the World</b> By Mary G. Darling</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>9. <b>Into the Light</b> By C. G. O.</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>10. <b>It Came to Pass</b> By Mary Farley Sanborn</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>11. <b>Lottie Eames</b> By Adelaide F. Samuels</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>12. <b>May Martin and Other Tales of the Green Mountains</b> By Judge D. P. Thompson</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>13. <b>Mills of Tuxbury</b> By Virginia F. Townsend</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>14. <b>Nellie Kinnard’s Kingdom</b> By Amanda M. Douglas</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>15. <b>Pretty Lucy Merwyn</b> By Mary Lakeman</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>16. <b>Rhoda Thornton’s Girlhood</b> By Mary E. Pratt</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>17. <b>Room for One More</b> By Mrs. T. W. Higginson</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>18. <b>Ruby Duke, A Story of Boarding School Life</b> By Mrs. H. K. Potwin</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>19. <b>Ruth Eliot’s Dream</b> By Mary Lakeman</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>20. <b>Seven Daughters</b> By Amanda M. Douglas</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>21. <b>Six in All</b> By Virginia F. Townsend</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>22. <b>Sweet and Twenty</b> By Mary Farley Sanborn</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>23. <b>Tatters</b> By Beulah</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>24. <b>Which, Right or Wrong?</b> By Mary L. Moreland</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>25. <b>Whom Kathie Married</b> By Amanda M. Douglas</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>26. <b>An American Girl Abroad</b> By Adeline Trafton</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>27. <b>Dorothy’s Experience</b> By Adeline Trafton</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>28. <b>Hester Strong’s Life Work</b> By Mrs. S. A. Southworth</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>29. <b>Hillsboro’ Farms, A Story for Girls</b> By Sophia Dickinson Cobb</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>30. <b>Sally Williams the Mountain Girl</b> By Mrs. E. D. Cheney</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>31. <b>’Lisbeth Wilson: A Daughter of New Hampshire Hills</b> By Eliza Nelson Blair</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>32. <b>Running to Waste</b> By George M. Baker</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>33. <b>Barbara Thayer: Her Glorious Career</b> By Annie Jenness Miller</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>34. <b>Katherine Earle</b> By Adeline Trafton</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>35. <b>In the King’s Country</b> By Amanda M. Douglas</p>
+<p>
+LEE AND SHEPARD, Publishers,
+</p>
+<p>
+BOSTON
+</p>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+<span style='font-size:larger;font-weight:bold;'>MAY-FLOWER SERIES FOR GIRLS</span>
+</p>
+<div class='figleft' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='i012' id='i012'></a>
+<img src='images/illus-ad2.jpg' alt='' title=''/><br />
+</div>
+<p>
+A series of books of sterling worth for girls, by well-known and
+popular authors, inculcating principles of truth and honor
+through bright and interesting narratives full of life, action,
+and interest, and decidedly wholesome and instructive.
+</p>
+<p>
+Each Volume Complete in Itself
+</p>
+<p>
+Uniform Cloth Binding
+</p>
+<p>
+New Attractive Dies
+</p>
+<p>
+Illustrated Price 75 cents each
+</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>1. <b>Actions Speak Louder than Words</b> By Kate J. Neely</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>2. <b>Angel Children</b> or Stories from Cloud Land By Charlotte M. Higgins.</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>3. <b>Birds of a Feather</b> By Mrs. M. E. Bradley</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>4. <b>Celesta, a Girl’s Book</b> By Mrs. Martha E. Berry</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>5. <b>Children of Amity Court</b> By Louise C. Thurston</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>6. <b>Cruise of the Dashaway</b> or Katie Putnam’s Voyage By May Mannering</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>7. <b>Daisy</b> or the Fairy Spectacles By Caroline Snowden Guild</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>8. <b>Fine Feathers do not make Fine Birds</b> By Kate J. Neely</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>9. <b>Great Rosy Diamond</b> By Ann Augusta Carter</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>10. <b>Going on a Mission</b> By Paul Cobden</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>11. <b>Handsome is that Handsome does</b> By Mrs. M. E. Bradley</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>12. <b>How Eva Roberts gained her Education</b> By Louise C. Thurston</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>13. <b>Little Maid of Oxbow</b> By May Mannering</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>14. <b>Little Blossom’s Reward</b> By Emily Hare</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>15. <b>Thousand a Year</b> By Mrs. M. E. Bruce</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>16. <b>May Coverly</b>, A Story for Girls</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>17. <b>Minnie</b> or the Little Woman</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>18. <b>Nettie’s Trial</b> By Mrs. S. B. C. Samuels</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>19. <b>One Good Turn deserves Another</b> By Kate J. Neely</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>20. <b>Pinks and Blues</b> or the Orphan Asylum By Mrs. Rosa Abbott Parker</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>21. <b>Shipwrecked Girl</b> or Adele By Mrs. S. B. C. Samuels</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>22. <b>Take a Peep</b> By Paul Cobden</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>23. <b>Upside Down</b> or Will and Work By Rosa Abbott Parker</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>24. <b>Violet</b>, a Fairy Story</p>
+<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>25. <b>Wrong Confessed is Half Redressed</b> By Mrs. M. E. Bradley</p>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+<span style='font-size:larger;font-weight:bold;'>Betty Seldon, Patriot</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+<em>A Revolutionary Tale for Girls</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+By ADELE E. THOMPSON, Author of “Beck’s Fortune.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Illustrated by Lilian Crawford True.
+</p>
+<p>
+12mo. Cloth. 300 pages. $1.25
+</p>
+<div class='figleft' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='i013' id='i013'></a>
+<img src='images/illus-ad3.jpg' alt='' title=''/><br />
+</div>
+<p>
+It is a great deal to say of a book that it is at the same time
+fascinating and noble. This is what “Betty Seldon, Patriot” is,
+and in fact no one of the many who read and admired “Beck’s
+Fortune” would expect a book by Miss Thompson to be otherwise.
+Betty is a bright Connecticut girl, happily as industrious and
+filial as she is attractive. Her devotion to her father, a
+captain in the Continental army, and her experience with a Tory
+uncle, who appears upon the supposed death of her father and
+takes her to his home in Pennsylvania, pretending to be her
+guardian, form the basis of the book. Historical events are
+accurately traced leading up to the surrender of Cornwallis at
+Yorktown, with reunion and happiness for all who deserve it.
+Betty is worth a thousand of the fickle coquette heroines of some
+latter-day popular novels, and the historical setting of the
+story is strong and effective.
+</p>
+<p>
+LEE AND SHEPARD, Publishers,
+</p>
+<p>
+BOSTON
+</p>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Randy's Summer, by Amy Brooks
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+</pre>
+
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Randy's Summer, by Amy Brooks
+
+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: Randy's Summer
+       A Story for Girls
+
+Author: Amy Brooks
+
+Release Date: June 15, 2011 [EBook #36429]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RANDY'S SUMMER ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+                            Popular Stories
+                             By AMY BROOKS.
+              Each Beautifully Illustrated by the Author.
+
+                            The Randy Books.
+                   THREE VOLUMES READY. 12MO. CLOTH.
+                  STRIKING COVER DESIGN BY THE AUTHOR.
+
+               RANDY'S SUMMER. Price $1.00
+               RANDY'S WINTER. Price 1.00
+               RANDY AND HER FRIENDS. Price 80 cents, net
+
+
+                          For Younger Readers.
+                  A JOLLY CAT TALE. Large 12mo. Cloth.
+                   Profusely Illustrated. Price $1.00
+                   DOROTHY DAINTY. Large 12mo. Cloth.
+         Cover Design by the Author. Set in large English type.
+                          Price 80 cents, net
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "With the Book upon her Lap, and one Arm around her
+Little Sister" Page 24]
+
+
+
+
+                             RANDY'S SUMMER
+
+                           A STORY FOR GIRLS
+
+                                   BY
+
+                               AMY BROOKS
+
+                    WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE AUTHOR
+
+                                 BOSTON
+                      LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS
+                                  1902
+
+
+
+
+                  Copyright, 1900, by Lee and Shepard.
+                         _All Rights Reserved._
+                            RANDY'S SUMMER.
+
+                             Norwood Press
+                  J. S. Cushing & Co.--Berwick & Smith
+                          Norwood Mass. U.S.A.
+
+
+
+
+                                CONTENTS
+
+               CHAPTER                                  PAGE
+                     I Randy and the Fairy Tales           1
+                    II At the Brook                       16
+                   III Randy at Church                    37
+                    IV Prue's Mishap                      52
+                     V Helen Dayton's Call                70
+                    VI The Picnic                         88
+                   VII Randy Outwits Jason Meade         111
+                  VIII Tableaux                          124
+                    IX Callers                           146
+                     X The Apple-Bee                     173
+                    XI An Unexpected Visitor             199
+                   XII A Wedding Feast                   218
+
+
+
+
+                         LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+    "With the book upon her lap, and one arm
+      around her little sister"                           Frontispiece
+
+    Randy and Prue started for the brook                            23
+
+    Prue counts the daisies on Miss Dayton's hat                    46
+
+    Randy carrying Prue in her arms                                 58
+
+    On the way to the picnic                                        98
+
+    "Nearer to the wall she crept"                                 115
+
+    "There stood Randy as the demure little maid"                  139
+
+    Prue and Tabby reading the Fairy Book                          170
+
+    "'Why don't you send the little girl a letter?'"               191
+
+    "At the head of a long table stood Helen Dayton"               225
+
+
+
+
+RANDY'S SUMMER
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I--RANDY AND THE FAIRY TALES
+
+
+"Randy! Randy! where are you?" came in shrill, high-pitched tones from
+the kitchen.
+
+The girl on the wooden seat just outside the door neither moved nor
+heeded, so engrossed in her book was she.
+
+"Ran-dee!" This time there was a rising inflection on the last syllable.
+Slowly the girl's forefinger followed along the line which she was
+reading. A quick step across the kitchen, and a tall, angular woman
+appeared in the doorway, wiping her hands on her blue-checked apron.
+
+"Why, Randy Weston! Here I've been callin' and callin' to you, and
+you're right here at the door and never heard at all, I'll warrant you.
+What's that you're readin'?"
+
+"Oh, mother, I'm sorry I didn't hear you," said Randy, her face still
+aglow with the thought of the fascinating tale; "but the story was so
+wonderful that I never knew you called me."
+
+"Must have been wonderful," said Mrs. Weston, smiling. "What sort of a
+book is it, and where did you get it?"
+
+"Why, it's the one I told you I found in the field back of the barn,"
+said Randy. "It's all about kings and queens, and princes and fairies,
+and goblins, and oh, it's just the most wonderful book you ever saw!"
+
+"I hope it's a _good_ book," said Mrs. Weston, doubtfully; "it sounds
+kind of outlandish, and I know one thing, I never have to call twice
+when I give you 'Pilgrim's Progress' or Fox's 'Book of Martyrs' to
+read."
+
+"But, mother, just see the pictures! Here's the one that shows when the
+prince rode on the horse which was shod with golden shoes, and could run
+faster than the wind!"
+
+That was too much for practical Mrs. Weston.
+
+"Look here, Randy, that'll do! That shows what kind of a book it is. Who
+ever heard of shoeing a horse with gold! Land knows it costs enough to
+shoe them with iron; and as for running faster than the wind, why,
+anybody'd know better. You give me the book till I ask your father what
+he thinks of it. I'll put it up on the mantel, back of the clock, and
+show it to him to-night and see what he says."
+
+As Mrs. Weston usually meant what she said, Randy was forced to submit;
+but she could not help thinking it a trial to have to do without the
+wonderful book until her father should have time to read it.
+
+"Now," said Mrs. Weston, "come in and help me make these pies."
+
+"Oh, yes," said the girl; while she thought, "What a change from the
+prince's castle to the hot kitchen and apple pies!" However, she was a
+thoughtful girl, and seeing a tired look on her mother's face, she took
+a big yellow dish on her lap, and grasping a knife began to pare apples
+as if her life depended upon it.
+
+The first she pared rapidly and deftly, the next one took her a little
+longer, and the sixth she held in one hand while the knife lay idly in
+the other, as she gazed out of the window, wondering if the hot, sunny
+road which led to the village could be at all like the high-road over
+which the king's huntsmen returned to the castle.
+
+"Randy Weston! I thought you was parin' apples! Bring the dish here and
+we'll finish them together. At that rate you wouldn't get them done in a
+month!"
+
+Randy started. "Oh, dear! I meant to have peeled them in no time," said
+she.
+
+"Well, never mind," said her mother; "we'll do them together, and then
+you can get out the things for me to make the crust with."
+
+Soon the apples were pared, cored, and sliced, and away Randy hurried to
+the closet, getting the sifter, sugar-bucket and rolling pin, the spice
+box, and last of all, a lot of plates.
+
+Running back to the closet she brought out the lard and began to grease
+the plates in furious haste, so determined was she to show her mother
+that she was really willing to be helpful. How she admired the deft
+manner in which her mother rolled out the crust, stretched it over the
+plate, and inserted her knuckles to make it fit the hollow of the dish.
+
+Randy watched her as, balancing the crust-covered plate on her left
+hand, she swept the knife which she held in her right swiftly around the
+edge of the plate, trimming off the extra crust.
+
+"I wish I could make pies as quick as you can," said the girl, "and have
+them turn out right every time, too."
+
+Mrs. Weston smiled at the compliment so earnestly expressed.
+
+"Mebbe you can, when you've made as many as I have," said she.
+
+"Now get the broom, Randy, and sweep up the flour I spilled 'round the
+table and put the apple peels in the bucket, while I commence to wash up
+the cookin' dishes."
+
+Randy got the broom and began to sweep vigorously. "I wonder," thought
+the girl, "if princesses have to bake pies, and wash dishes, and sweep
+hot kitchens." She could not remember of any mention being made of
+either pies or kitchens in the fairy tales which she had been reading,
+so she concluded that in those delightful days no such things existed.
+
+"They _must_ have had pies," she said to herself, "so p'r'aps they had
+somebody to bake for them, same's Mrs. Hodgkins has Sophrony Brown to
+help her about the housework.
+
+"Sophrony Brown doesn't look 's if she belonged in a castle, even to
+stay in the kitchen, if it had one," thought Randy. "Her hair's red, and
+so are her hands, and they're awful big, too. Everybody in that splendid
+book was handsome, and they all had little white hands and tiny feet,
+too." Here she stopped and took a long survey of her own feet, encased
+in coarse, cowhide boots, with leather lacings.
+
+"The shoes and slippers in the pictures," mused Randy, "have beautiful
+bows on the toes, and they have tiny little heels. I wonder how they
+ever managed to walk on them." So still she stood, looking down at her
+shoes, the broom held listlessly in her hand, that her mother turned to
+see where she had gone.
+
+"Why, Randy Weston, what ails you? You've been mooning 'round all this
+morning. You do try to help me real good, and then, first thing I know,
+you're miles away thinkin' of something or other. I say, whatever ails
+you?"
+
+"Nothing," said Randy, "I was only wondering about the fairy tales in
+the book."
+
+"Well, more'n ever I think it can't be a good kind o' book to read, that
+makes a good, sensible girl so took up with it that she can't think of
+anything else."
+
+"But if father says it's all right, I can read it, can't I?" said Randy.
+
+"I suppose so," said the tired woman. "Now go and find Prue. Like enough
+she's into something by this time."
+
+Little Prue had a positive talent for inventing mischief, and as Randy
+hastened to the door to call her, she remembered that the little sister
+had had at least an hour in which to play without supervision. "I do
+hope," said Randy, "that she hasn't torn her dress or lost her sunbonnet
+while I've been helping mother with the cooking. I'll call first, and if
+she don't answer, then I'll hunt for her." So, standing in the doorway,
+she called long and loudly.
+
+Such a pretty picture Randy made, all the sweeter because she never
+dreamed that she possessed the beauty of which she read in the fairy
+book, and for which she so ardently longed.
+
+The kitchen doorway was low, and up on one side grew scarlet runners,
+which over the top clasped tendrils with the morning glories as they
+clambered up the other side of the door-frame and half covered the
+kitchen window.
+
+The cool wind from across the meadow fanned Randy's flushed cheeks, and
+tossed back some short brown ringlets from her forehead, for Randy's
+hair would curl, as she said, "spite of anything." She did her best with
+brush and comb to make it lie smoothly, but the short ends flew back
+every time, and curled and rippled in a manner which would have been the
+envy of many a city girl who was a slave to "curlers." Her hair was a
+soft, light brown, and her eyes were large and gray, bright and
+twinkling. She was quite tall for a girl of her age, just fifteen that
+summer, and she stood as "straight as a birch," her father said.
+
+Her plain calico gown and coarse apron could not hide her trim figure;
+and, judging by her small, shapely hands, and slender fingers, one would
+say that with dainty boots instead of cowhides, her feet would be as
+shapely as her hands. But Randy had never thought much about beauty or
+personal adornment until the finding of the wonderful fairy book. She
+had been dressed like the other children in that little country town,
+and had never seen a fashion book or a stylishly dressed person in her
+life. Mrs. Weston had taught her children to think that to be neat and
+clean was to be well dressed, and certainly Randy and Prue were always
+dressed in clean gowns and aprons, and stiff-starched sunbonnets. Yes,
+Randy was more than pretty. Would she one day know it?
+
+Long and patient calling brought no answering shout from little Prue, so
+Randy snatched her sunbonnet from its peg on the wall, and started in
+search of her. She looked in every place, both possible and impossible,
+and she laughed as she thought of the funny scrapes the little sister
+had gotten into. She thought of the day on which their aunt, Miss
+Prudence Weston, had come to visit them, bringing three bags and as many
+bundles, although she was to stay but a week.
+
+She had always lived in a little town in one of the Western states, and
+as that week's stay was her first visit to her brother's home, she was
+really a stranger to Randy and Prue. The children had known only that
+little Prue was her namesake, and that she was a person well-nigh
+perfect.
+
+"Your Aunt Prudence never did that," was a remark so frequently
+addressed to little Prue that that lively, mischievous little being
+conceived a great dislike for so perfect a person; and, although she
+dared not say so to either father or mother, she confessed it freely to
+Randy when at night they lay in their little bed in the chamber under
+the eaves.
+
+"I think it would be just horrid to live in this house if Aunt Prudence
+lived here too, don't you, Randy?" said little Prue in a loud whisper.
+"You're good, Randy, and you know I love you, but you can be naughty and
+Aunt Prudence can't, that's the difference."
+
+"Oh, hush!" Randy had said. "I most think it's naughty not to like her.
+We don't know but may be she's real nice if we knew her."
+
+"Don't want to," whispered Prue, "don't want to, _ever_. If she staid
+here I'd--I mean I'd--" but the tired little sister had gone fast asleep
+and left Randy to wonder just what she would have done.
+
+Immediately upon her arrival Miss Prudence had removed her wraps, and
+had at once taken out her knitting from a voluminous pocket, saying to
+the two staring children, as she peered at them over her glasses, "It's
+not right to waste time," and as soon as they had made their escape to
+the kitchen, naughty little Prue had said, "Randy Weston! If keeping
+busy would make me look like that, I'd just do nothing forever and
+ever."
+
+Funny little Prue! Aunt Prudence's sharp eyes behind her spectacles, her
+"false front," and tall, angular figure, had strengthened the child's
+preconceived dislike. Then that day before their aunt had bidden adieu
+to the Weston farm, Randy had caught Prue perched upon a chair, which
+made her just high enough to see herself in the glass. On her head was
+Miss Prudence's best cap, on her saucy little nose the big,
+old-fashioned spectacles, over which she peered at herself, saying, in
+imitation of her aunt, "I never waste time, no, not a single minute."
+
+Randy had escaped to the barn where, on the hay, she had laughed until
+she was tired; all the time feeling guilty, for she knew that, funny as
+the sight had been, Prue had been very naughty. Prue was a little
+captive in the house that afternoon, a great trial for her, and at night
+her father had talked with her and told her that she must always be kind
+to every one, especially to old people, and Prue had promised, at the
+same time saying that, "if Aunt Prudence was always good, it was easier
+for grown-up people to be good."
+
+Around the house and barn, down by the well, and, lastly, into the barn
+went Randy, calling, "Prue! Prue! where are you?"
+
+"Here!" called a little voice.
+
+"Where?" shouted Randy.
+
+"Up here!" came the answer, which appeared to come from the loft.
+
+Up the ladder went Randy, and, once at the top, she espied a funny
+little figure sitting on the hay. "Why, Prue," said Randy, "what are you
+doing up here? Why didn't you come when I called?"
+
+"I couldn't," said Prue; "I'm helping mother, and I've got to stay.
+Mother said you could help her make pies, so I came up here and I'm
+sitting on some eggs. The old hen's left them, and mother said they'd
+just got to be set on."
+
+"Oh, Prue!" said Randy, "you'd ought to know better. If you've smashed
+them, won't you be a sight?"
+
+"I ain't smashed them," said the child; but upon Randy's insisting, she
+rose from the nest, only to show that not an egg remained whole, as her
+pink calico dress plainly showed.
+
+"Well, _I_ never got into such scrapes," said Randy, for once out of
+patience.
+
+"Now, Randy," said Prue, "don't you talk that way; that's just like Aunt
+Prudence;" and that silenced Randy completely.
+
+Randy's first thought was a longing to shield Prue, but she knew that
+her mother wished them always to come to her at once when any mischief
+had been done, so, a forlorn little procession of two, they walked
+toward the house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II--AT THE BROOK
+
+
+The next morning dawned bright and fair. Randy awoke and rubbed her
+eyes. "I believe there was something that made me uncomfortable
+yesterday. Wonder what it was?" thought she. "Don't see what it could
+have been," mused the girl, half awake. "I helped mother with the baking
+and swept the kitchen for her, because I knew I ought to, instead of
+reading that fairy book. Then I hunted for Prue.--Oh, that's it! mother
+had to scold her, and that always makes me feel just awful.
+
+"She was naughty, and seems 's if she might know better than to get into
+such queer scrapes, though she isn't much more than a baby."
+
+Here Randy turned over and looked at her little sister, who was still
+fast asleep. "How pretty she looks!" said Randy, half aloud. The
+sleeping child stirred, and thrust one chubby arm and hand under her
+short curls. She drew a long breath, which was half a sigh, her eyelids
+quivered, opened, closed, then opened wide, and she stared at Randy,
+who, leaning upon her elbow, was gazing at little Prue.
+
+"Oh, Randy! what are you looking at and thinking of?" said Prue, half
+laughing.
+
+"I was just thinking," said Randy, "that when you're asleep you don't
+look as if you could ever be naughty."
+
+Prue stopped laughing, and, putting her arm around her sister's neck,
+she said, "Oh, Randy! I never mean to, and 'most always when I'm naughty
+it's when I'm trying to help. Don't you know that time when I dropped
+the platter and broke it all to smash? Mother put down the towel she was
+wiping it with to look in the oven to see if the bread was burning. I
+thought I'd s'prise you and mother, and show you I'd wiped the big
+platter nice and dry. Just a minute before, mother said it was too big
+for me to handle, and that just made me want to."
+
+"I know it," said Randy, "I know you mean to be good, and I do believe
+you can't help doing funny things, you best little sister in all the
+world," and she kissed Prue, laughing at her at the same time. "Now, do
+be good to-day, and, if you don't do a naughty thing before dinner, I'll
+do something splendid. I'll have to help mother this morning, and do a
+lot of things. Then, of course, I'll wipe the dinner dishes, and after
+that you and I will go down to that shady place by the brook, and I'll
+tell you some of the stories I read in that book I found."
+
+"Oh, will you?" said Prue, "can you 'member them?"
+
+"Yes, some of them; I can't remember all of them yet," said Randy.
+
+"Why don't you take the book and read them?" said Prue.
+
+"Because," said Randy, "father's got to look it over and see if it's a
+good book first, mother says."
+
+"Why isn't he 'fraid to read it, if p'r'aps, it isn't good?" said the
+child, with such a funny expression on her face that Randy, who really
+did not know how to answer such a question, laughed, and said she
+thought it must be time to dress.
+
+Up sprang little Prue, and out upon the floor. "You dress me first,"
+said she. So Randy put on the little one's shoes and stockings, then,
+piece by piece, her other little garments, all the time silently
+admiring the round, dimpled arms, the roguish eyes, and tangle of short
+curls, and the sweet little mouth, honestly believing that no girl in
+all the world had so dear a little sister. Just as Randy turned to
+button the little dress, Prue uttered a joyous cry, and darted over to
+the window.
+
+"Oh, come quick, quick!" she called. "See the butterfly almost coming in
+our window." And sure enough, when Randy reached the window, there he
+was, a gorgeous fellow, with bright, golden wings, swinging up and down
+over a fresh rose-colored morning-glory.
+
+"Oh!" cried Prue, "isn't it the handsomest butterfly you ever saw?"
+
+"Yes, and look at the dewdrops on the pink morning-glory," said
+imaginative Randy; "I wonder if the necklace that the fairy queen wore
+looked as bright as that? In the picture in the book it looks just like
+strings and strings of beads."
+
+"I liked the beads and her dress, with a long train to it; but in the
+picture she didn't have a nice face 't all," said Prue, the young
+critic.
+
+"Oh, but she was bea-utiful," said Randy. "She must have been, the story
+said so," but just here Randy's raptures over the heroine of the fairy
+tale were cut short by a loud call of "Randy! Randy! Prue! it's time to
+come downstairs!"
+
+So Randy hurried on her own clothing, and Prue amused herself while
+waiting by counting the buttons on Randy's best gingham dress as it hung
+on the first hook in the closet, and this is the way she half said and
+half sung it:--
+
+"Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief, doctor, lawyer,--Randy, what's a
+lawyer? Your last button is a lawyer."
+
+"I don't know," said Randy; "ask father;" but when they had reached the
+lowest stair and entered the kitchen Prue had forgotten her question and
+asked another.
+
+"Father," she cried, "have you read the book yet? Are you going to let
+Randy read it? the fairy book, I mean?"
+
+"Two questions in one," said Mr. Weston, laughing. "Why, yes, I guess
+I'll have to let her read it, if she wants to," said he.
+
+"Going to let Randy read those outlandish tales?" said Mrs. Weston
+coming out of the closet with a pie in her hand, which she placed upon
+the table. "Why there wasn't a word of truth in them."
+
+"I know it," said her husband, smiling, "but I didn't see anything wrong
+about them, and the yarns that are in the book are so big that no
+sensible girl, like our Randy, would s'pose she was expected to believe
+them a minute. I looked it over last night after I'd thought over that
+piece of medder land of Jason Meade's that he wants to swap for my
+little pasture, and cal-lated 'bout what the bargain was worth. I just
+took down that fairy book from behind the clock, and I thought I'd just
+look it over to see if it was all right for Randy and Prue, and, if
+you'd believe me, 'fore I knew it, I was 'most as interested as the
+children was. As you say, there ain't any sense in it, but it reads
+kinder fine, I must say."
+
+Mrs. Weston laughed, and said that she was willing enough to let them
+have it if the book was all right.
+
+"Right enough," rejoined her husband, "only kind of foolish," and
+smiling at the children's eager faces he said kindly, "Read it if you
+like, only don't let it make you forget to help mother, Randy."
+
+[Illustration: Randy and Prue started for the Brook]
+
+"Randy don't often forget that," said Mrs. Weston, at which unwonted bit
+of praise, Randy flushed with delight.
+
+Mrs. Weston was a hard-working woman who loved her husband and children
+dearly, but so busy was she, that she forgot to say the encouraging
+word, or give the bit of praise, justly won, which seems a reward to the
+husband for his care and toil, and to the child for "being good."
+
+When the hot forenoon's work was done, and the dinner dishes put away,
+Randy and Prue started for the brook, Randy carrying the wonderful book
+very carefully, and little Prue skipping along beside her. Across the
+fields, behind the barn, into a bit of woodland went the children, and
+there they found the brook, calm and placid in one place, rippling and
+chattering in another. "Hark! hear it talk," said Randy, but practical
+little Prue said, "It only says 'wobble, wobble, wobble,' as it goes
+over the stones, and I don't call that talking."
+
+"Well, I do," said Randy, "and I always wonder what it says."
+
+"How'll you find out?" said Prue.
+
+"Oh, Prue!" said Randy, "what makes you ask questions that nobody could
+answer?"
+
+"But somebody could," said the child; "if it really says anything,
+somebody, somewhere, would know what it means, now wouldn't they,
+Randy?"
+
+"I do believe there is some one who could understand it." Randy spoke so
+earnestly that Prue stopped throwing pebbles at the water-spiders and
+throwing her arms around Randy, she said, "Oh, Randy! don't look that
+way. When your eyes get big, and you just think and think, it makes me
+lonesome. Do begin to read the fairy stories."
+
+So Randy roused herself from her dream about the brook, and sat down,
+with Prue close beside her, on a rough plank which spanned the tiny
+stream. There, with the book upon her lap, and one arm around her little
+sister, she read the tales of wonder and enchantment, while the
+sunlight, sifting through the leaves, touched her hair and made a halo
+around the sweet face. Parts of the stories were too much for little
+Prue to understand, but such of them as her small brain could take in
+delighted her.
+
+Randy read very well, although she had had but little schooling, and her
+delight in the splendor which the stories described gave added
+expression to her reading, and delighted little Prue exclaimed, "Oh,
+Randy, you make it seem as if it was true!"
+
+Randy laughed, well pleased with the compliment, and continued reading:
+"'And as soon as she heard the witch's voice, she unbound her tresses.'"
+
+"What's 'tresses'?" interrupted Prue.
+
+"Why, hair," explained Randy.
+
+"Then, why didn't they say 'hair'?" said the child.
+
+"Tresses sounds nicer," answered Randy.
+
+"I don't know," said Prue, doubtfully.
+
+"Well, I do," said Randy. "If my hair was long, I'd enough rather have
+it called tresses."
+
+"I'll call it tresses," said obliging little Prue, "even if it isn't
+very long. Now, go on, Randy."
+
+So Randy continued: "'She unbound her tresses, and they fell down twenty
+ells, and the witch mounted up by them.'"
+
+"Oh, my, my!" interrupted Prue, "your hair's longer'n that!"
+
+"Longer than what?" said the astonished Randy.
+
+"Twenty ells," said Prue. "When you showed me the other day how to print
+a L, it wasn't very big. Would twenty of 'em be so very much? Your hair
+is most down to your waist, when I stretch the ends out so they don't
+curl."
+
+"O you funny child!" said Randy, half laughing, half impatient. "It
+doesn't mean that kind of ell. What's the use of reading the stories?
+You ask so many questions, I don't believe you half hear them."
+
+"Oh, I do truly want to hear the stories, and if you'll only read, I
+won't ask a question, 'less it's something I can't make out."
+
+Again Randy found the place, and for some time the story went on without
+interruption. Once they paused to see the picture of the lovely girl in
+the tower, then Randy went on:--
+
+"'The king's son wished to ascend to her, and looked for a door in the
+tower, but he could not find one. So he rode home, but the song which
+she had sung had touched his heart so much that he went every day to the
+forest and listened to it. As he thus stood one day behind a tree, he
+saw the witch come up and heard her call out:--
+
+  "'Rapunzel, Rapunzel,
+  Let down your hair.'
+
+"'Then Rapunzel let down her tresses, and the witch mounted up.'"
+
+"Oh, Randy!" cried Prue, excitedly, "why, didn't it 'most pull her head
+off?"
+
+Randy laughed. "O Prue, Prue!" she said, "I do believe you think of the
+funniest questions to ask."
+
+"But, Randy, do you b'lieve it didn't pull like everything?" And Prue's
+eyes were round with wonder.
+
+"Oh!" said Randy, "don't you know that father said we wouldn't be
+expected to believe the stories, only just enjoy them?" But the little
+girl looked bewildered; so, closing the book, Randy sought other means
+to amuse her. "Let's play this is a beautiful bridge, this plank we're
+sitting on, and this brook, a great big river," said Randy, "and we're
+princesses waiting for a prince to come and save us--I mean rescue us,"
+she corrected.
+
+Again little Prue showed her lack of imagination. "Save us from what?"
+said she.
+
+"Oh, dragons that live in this big, roaring river."
+
+"It don't roar much," said Prue, doubtfully; "but," she added, "we can
+play it does."
+
+Thus encouraged, Randy went on, giving her fancy full play. "And that
+pretty green branch overhead, with sun on the leaves, that's an arch of
+flowers such as the princess rode under in another story."
+
+That was too much for Prue. "But, Randy!" she exclaimed, "there isn't a
+blossom on it. If we were princesses, Randy, I could love you just the
+same, couldn't I?" questioned Prue, looking up at her sister with eager
+eyes.
+
+"Of course you could," said Randy, giving Prue a hug, who thus assured
+began to hum a little tune, swinging her legs to keep time with her
+singing. They made a pretty picture, Randy with her arm still about the
+little sister, Prue nestling as close as possible to Randy, and in the
+brook below a reflection showing the two children. Randy was looking off
+as if for the coming of the prince, while little Prue, becoming drowsy,
+laid her head against her sister.
+
+Suddenly Prue started: "S'pose that's the prince?" said she, as a low,
+merry whistle sounded through the woods. Randy looked toward the
+opening, then her laugh rang out. "Oh, Prue," said she, "it's 'Bijah
+Bowstock, the deacon's hired man, going after the cows. Just look at
+him!" she added. And Prue looked.
+
+Little enough like the prince in the fairy book looked he! An old straw
+hat upon the back of his head, a blue "jumper," and a pair of overalls
+tucked into his boots, completed his costume. He did not see Randy and
+Prue as he passed through the woods to a path far beyond the brook,
+whisking off the blossoms with his switch as he went along.
+
+"His clothes wasn't the kind the prince wore in the picture, was they,
+Randy?" said Prue, when 'Bijah was out of sight. "In the picture in the
+fairy book they wear such long, long stockings way over their knees, and
+hats with feathers in them, and everything," said Prue, intending thus
+to supply all the details of costume which she might possibly have
+omitted.
+
+Randy made no answer. Little Prue felt as many a grown person does, that
+the clothes made the man; but Randy, thoughtful Randy, felt that, given
+all the fine raiment, 'Bijah never could have even _looked_ the prince.
+
+Little Prue edged her way along the plank on which they sat, and at last
+succeeded in slipping off from the end of the board down to the edge of
+the brook. There she found bits of bark which she freighted with moss,
+and then floated them down the tiny stream.
+
+The little crafts, aided by a gentle push, floated out into a placid
+little pool just under Randy's feet. For an instant they paused,
+wavered, then turning about they flew over the miniature rapids, made
+there by three small stones below the surface, then sailed around a bend
+in the brook and disappeared behind a clump of brakes growing at the
+foot of an alder.
+
+Sometimes the tiny boats foundered, and the passengers were tipped out
+into the stream, but little Prue found other bits of bark for the boats
+and gaily loaded them with moss for more passengers.
+
+"Look, Randy! Look!" screamed Prue, "there's a fine new boat just under
+your feet. The gray moss is mens, and the moss with the red tops is
+womens. The red is their bonnets. Randy, Randy! why don't you hear me
+when I'm close to you?"
+
+Randy shook herself and sat upright, laughing. "I did hear you," she
+said, "only I didn't think to answer. I guess I was dreaming."
+
+"Well, don't dream in the daytime!" said Prue; "I've sent lots and lots
+of pretty boats down the stream, and I kept telling you to look, and now
+I don't believe you've seen one of them."
+
+"Oh, yes, I have," said Randy, "only I was so busy thinking that I
+didn't say anything about them. Come, we'll sail a few boats together,
+and then I guess we'd better go home."
+
+Prue was delighted, and to reward Randy for agreeing to play with her,
+she hunted with all her might for finer pieces of bark and choicer bits
+of moss, and gay indeed was the little fleet with its red-capped crew
+and passengers. Prue wandered off to find even finer mosses, and Randy
+was trying to capture a big water-spider for a passenger for a piece of
+birch bark, when Prue came rushing down the path, crying, "Look, Randy!
+Look! Here's old Mr. Plimpkins to sail in one of our boats."
+
+In her surprise Randy let the water-spider escape, and, turning about,
+saw Prue quite alone, running toward her, laughing and holding out
+something which she had in her hand.
+
+"Prue Weston! what do you mean?" said Randy.
+
+Old Mr. Plimpkins was a farmer who lived at the outskirts of the town,
+but Prue had seen him at church, and she thought him the funniest man
+she had ever seen.
+
+He was nearly as broad as he was tall. Winter and summer, he habitually
+wore very broad-brimmed hats, and he walked with a comical waddle,
+because his legs were completely bowed. As if to attract attention to
+these members, they were always encased in light, snuff-colored
+trousers, while about his neck, hot weather or cold, was always wrapped
+an immense red plaid cotton handkerchief.
+
+As Prue came along, she handed out to Randy the object which she called
+Mr. Plimpkins, and, sure enough, clutched tightly in the little hot
+hand, was a bit of twig on which two stems bowed together until they
+nearly touched. On it, for a broad-brimmed hat, she had stuck a round
+green leaf.
+
+"Oh, I think it must be naughty to laugh about him, even if he is
+funny," said Randy.
+
+"But doesn't it look like him?" persisted Prue, "besides, _you're_
+laughing, Randy, only not out loud."
+
+Indeed, Randy was laughing, so, without attempting to reprove the little
+sister, she placed the bit of birch, which represented the old farmer,
+on the bark, and watched Prue as she floated it down the stream. Then,
+turning toward home, they walked along the path which led to the
+entrance to the wood.
+
+Prue sang all the way, and, seeing her happiness, Randy, sweet Randy,
+felt rewarded for the afternoon given up to her little sister's
+amusement; but she felt that the reading of the fairy tales was not a
+success. Clearly, the stories were beyond little Prue; for, at the
+supper table, when there was a pause in the conversation, she described
+the afternoon and Randy's reading, much to Randy's surprise and her
+father's amusement.
+
+"Oh, father!" she exclaimed, "we've been down to the brook, sailing
+boats, an' Randy read me the beautifulest story! The girl's name
+was--I've forgotten what, but her hair comed down to the ground, and the
+prince clumb up on it, and 'most pulled her head off, and the tower was
+so small the old witch couldn't live in it, and she cut her hair off,
+and that's all I can think of, 'cept the girl sang all the time, and the
+prince could hear her, and we sat on the plank and waited for the prince
+to come."
+
+All this she said in one breath. Her father laughed heartily at her
+manner of telling the story, but Mrs. Weston said, "What on airth does
+the child mean?" while Randy decided to read the stories to herself,
+thereafter, and amuse Prue in another way.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III--RANDY AT CHURCH
+
+
+"Come, Randy, come! It wants a quarter to ten, an' you'd better hurry."
+
+"Yes, mother, I'm coming," said Randy, pleasantly, and with redoubled
+energy she reached for the middle button of her dress waist, which was
+fastened at the back. This button was just too high for her left hand to
+reach up to, and almost too low for her right hand to reach down to, but
+at last she succeeded in crowding the refractory little button into its
+buttonhole, and, flushed with the struggle, she stood before the tiny
+looking-glass brushing a stray curling lock from her temple. The glass
+was a poor one, and Randy's reflection appeared to be making a most
+unpleasant grimace at the real girl standing there. When she lifted her
+chin, a flaw in the glass made one eye appear much larger than the
+other, and when she bent her head, you would never have believed that
+the little nose in the glass was a reproduction of Randy's, so singular
+was its contour. Truly, with such mirrors as the farm-house afforded,
+Randy stood little chance of becoming vain.
+
+"Come, Randy!" Randy started, took one more look at the stiff gingham
+dress, then hastened down the stairs. At the door stood Mrs. Weston,
+impatiently waiting for her, while little Prue patted the old cat and
+told her that she "mustn't be lonesome while they were all at church."
+
+Into the wagon they climbed, and away they started to the church. Their
+progress was slow, for the old horse was far from a "racer" at any time,
+and on Sunday Mr. Weston felt it to be wrong to more than walk the
+horse; yet, even with such slow locomotion, they did at last reach the
+church, and the old horse was duly ensconced in the carriage-shed to
+dream away the forenoon.
+
+The Westons had arrived a bit early, and Randy amused herself surveying
+the few parishioners who had already come. In that country town the
+neighbors were few and far between. The Westons' nearest neighbor was
+about a mile and a half distant, and so on Sundays it was quite a treat
+to see so many people.
+
+There were the Babson girls just a few pews in front of Randy. Randy
+thought Belinda Babson very pretty, mainly because of her fine yellow
+braids of straight hair. These braids lay down Belinda's broad back,
+falling quite below her waist.
+
+Her sister Jemima's braids were even thicker and longer; but then, Randy
+reflected, Jemima's braids were red.
+
+There was Jotham Potts, whose black eyes always espied Randy at church
+or school, but whose regard she did not at all value. True, on one hot
+Sunday when Randy had found it well-nigh impossible to keep awake,
+Jotham had reached over the top of the pew and dropped some big
+peppermints in her lap. His intention was good, and Randy blushed and
+was delighted, although her pleasure was partly spoiled by a snicker
+from Phoebe Small, who longed to win Jotham's admiration, but thus far
+had failed to gain it. Randy had inspected every boy and girl in the
+church and was just watching a big blue fly that was circling around a
+web in the angle of the window, when a slight stir among the occupants
+of the other pews caused Randy to look around and become delighted with
+a sweet vision. With Farmer Gray and his wife came a number of ladies
+and gentlemen; summer boarders who were to be at the Gray homestead a
+number of weeks; but to Randy's eyes, the young lady who took a seat
+next to Mrs. Gray seemed a dream of beauty. She wore a simple white
+muslin and a very large hat trimmed with daisies, but to the little
+country maid the city girl's costume was nothing short of magnificent.
+
+It had always been Randy's delight when the choir arose to sing, to
+watch Miss Dobbs, the little woman who sang soprano, as she drew herself
+up to her full height in a vain attempt to catch a glimpse of the page
+of the hymn book, the other half of which was held by Silas Barnes, the
+phenomenally tall tenor. Equally amusing was the tall, thin woman who
+sang "second," standing beside her cousin, John Hobson, who sang bass
+with all his might. He was short, fat, and very dark, and his musical
+efforts, which were mighty, caused a scowl upon his usually jovial
+countenance, and a deal of perspiration as well.
+
+But to-day when the choir arose, Randy had no eyes for any one but the
+Grays' lovely boarder, and she almost held her breath as she wondered if
+the girl would sing.
+
+The tall tenor touched his tuning fork, the choir sounded the chord,
+then choir and congregation joined in singing the old missionary hymn,
+"From Greenland's Icy Mountains," and round and full rang out the sweet
+contralto voice of the tall, fair girl in white.
+
+Randy was spellbound. She had never admired that hymn, but to-day it
+sounded sweeter than anything she had ever heard. Little Prue looked at
+the singer with round eyes, and as they sat down she clutched Randy's
+skirts and in a loud whisper said, "Oh, Randy, do you s'pose she is the
+fairy princess?"
+
+"Oh, hush!" said Randy, alarmed lest the young girl should hear the
+child.
+
+Did she hear her? She sat in the pew just in front of the Westons', and
+when Prue whispered her eager question, a faint suggestion of a smile
+hovered about the lovely mouth, and a bright twinkle glimmered for an
+instant in her beautiful eyes.
+
+Just then Parson Spooner arose, gave out the text, and commenced one of
+his long sermons. He was a good man, with a kindly word and smile for
+every one, and all of his people were devoutly fond of him. The people
+liked him, and he always had a pleasant chat with every child whom he
+met, and most of them thought that he was "lots" nicer on week-days than
+on Sundays. On week-days he talked with the boy whom he chanced to meet
+with his fishing-rod over his shoulder, and laughingly wished him good
+luck. Or, if it happened that the small owner of a home-made kite could
+not make it fly, the genial parson had been known to tie a new bob
+(usually a few weeds tied together) to the tail of the refractory kite,
+and off it would sail to the delight of the small boy and his clerical
+friend.
+
+But on Sundays, his sermons, delivered in a drowsy sing-song, tried the
+patience of his small parishioners. Prue and Randy settled down as if
+for a long day of it, and Randy resolved that, however long the sermon
+might be, she would not get sleepy; whereupon, she stretched her eyes to
+their fullest extent, and stared at nothing so persistently, that Prue
+became uneasy, and whispered, "What's the matter, Randy? you look so
+queer!"
+
+"Nothing," said Randy. "I just mean to keep my eyes open, that's all."
+
+"They _are_ open, just monstrous!" said Prue, at which Randy could not
+help laughing. As the little girl was not aware that she had said
+anything that was at all funny, she thought Randy's amusement quite out
+of place, and sat quietly for a few moments, in injured silence.
+
+Randy tried very hard to attend to the sermon, but in spite of good
+intentions, her mind wandered from Parson Spooner's flushed face, as he
+proceeded to make his meaning clear by loud vocal efforts, and to
+enforce his meaning by many thumps of his fat fist upon the pulpit
+cushion.
+
+Mrs. Brimblecom sat over by the window, slowly waving a palm-leaf fan to
+and fro, and occasionally nudging her husband, to keep him awake. In
+front of her, sat Joel Simpkins, his sandy hair brushed so carefully
+that not one hair was awry, and just across the aisle, Janie Clifton
+sat, in all the glory of a new pink calico. Janie's black curls were
+very pretty, and she knew it; and her bright, black eyes had been
+pointedly praised in an alleged poem, which had appeared in the county
+paper a few weeks before. It was entitled the "Black-eyed Coquette," and
+Janie felt sure that Joel had written it, in which case, its boldly
+expressed flattery could have been meant for none other than herself.
+Accordingly, she shook her curls, and occasionally looked at Joel, in a
+manner which Randy considered shockingly bold, and she wondered if, at
+eighteen, she could act like that. She decided that she could never be
+so bold, not even if the object of her admiration looked like a prince.
+
+She thought, too, that Joel was very ordinary; then she looked again at
+the girl in the daisy-trimmed hat and white muslin gown, and fell to
+wondering how fine and handsome a prince would have to be to gain her
+favor.
+
+"Probably there isn't any one in these parts that would please her,"
+thought Randy. "'Tisn't only her clothes," mused she, "it's something
+else that makes her different from the folks around here."
+
+All this time Prue had been unusually still, and Randy looked to see if
+she was asleep. The little girl was very wide awake, and sat staring at
+the large hat in front of her, her lips moving as if she were counting.
+Prue's manner of counting was something unique, and as Randy bent her
+head to listen, she could hardly help laughing, for this is what she
+heard:--
+
+"One, two, four, five, two, six, ten, nine, two,--oh, Randy, there's more
+daisies on her hat than I can count. Are they truly daisies? If they
+are, why don't they wilt?"
+
+"Hush-sh-sh," said Randy. "Keep still and watch that big bumble bee
+that's just come in the window."
+
+[Illustration: Prue counts the Daisies on Miss Dayton's Hat]
+
+"Hear him bum," said Prue, thus making Randy laugh again. She felt very
+wicked, laughing in church, and knew that her father would not approve;
+but how could she help laughing, for while she watched the bee, and
+wondered where he would fly next, little Prue watched him, too, all the
+time softly imitating his monotonous tune by saying under her breath,
+"bum, bum, bum."
+
+The heat increased, and Prue looked out of the window at the green
+branches moving in the breeze, and longed to be out there, too. At last
+the bee tired of the church and flew out of the window, and just as
+Randy was thinking that she could not bear the heat, Parson Spooner's
+sermon came to an end. He had become entangled in his own eloquence; and
+seeing no way to extricate himself, or make his meaning clear, he
+abruptly closed his sermon and suggested singing the Doxology.
+
+After the service Mrs. Gray stopped to talk with Mrs. Weston, and then,
+to the mingled delight and embarrassment of Randy and Prue, the
+beautiful stranger turned, and, stooping, spoke to the little girl.
+
+"How very good you have been," said she, "to sit still this long, hot
+morning. Do you know I had some candy in my pocket which I longed to
+share with you, but I didn't like to turn quite around, as I should have
+had to, to give it to you. Let me give it to you now, and you and your
+sister can enjoy it during the long ride home. See!" And from a pretty
+chatelaine bag which hung from her belt, she took a small box of
+bonbons. "If I give you this, will you give me a kiss?" And she stooped
+and placed the gift in Prue's eager little hands.
+
+For an instant the child hesitated; then shyly she lifted her face, and
+as the young girl stooped to take the kiss, Prue's pudgy little arm went
+around her neck.
+
+Then, turning to Randy, she extended her hand in its dainty glove,
+saying, "I have seen you and your sister many times when I have strolled
+past your home, and once, when you were standing near the tall clump of
+sunflowers, watching the bees, I was tempted to stop and chat with you
+awhile."
+
+"Oh, I wish you had," said Randy, so eagerly, that the girl laughed
+merrily, saying, "Well, the next time I am out for a walk and am going
+up the long hill, I will make you a little call."
+
+Just at that moment Mrs. Weston's friendly chat with her neighbor came
+to an end, and with her usual hasty manner she hurried the two children
+out of the church and into the old wagon. Mr. Weston gathered up the
+reins, and with a loud "g'lang" and a few jerks, the old horse seemed to
+awaken from his forenoon's nap in the carriage-shed and ambled a few
+steps, then subsided into the habitual jog.
+
+"Look, mother, just see what she gave me," said Prue, swinging the tiny
+package of bonbons before her mother's eyes.
+
+"What is it?" said her mother; "who gave it to you?"
+
+"The princess," said Prue, as plainly as she could, considering the size
+of the bonbon which she was eating. Mrs. Weston looked puzzled, and
+Randy, helping herself to a bit of the candy, explained:--
+
+"It was that beautiful, tall girl with Mrs. Gray. She gave Prue the
+candy for being good and keeping still this morning, and she's coming to
+see me soon's ever she takes a walk past our house, and isn't she the
+handsomest person that ever lived?"
+
+"Wal', I don't know as I noticed," said Mrs. Weston.
+
+"Why, how could you help seeing her?" said Randy, in amazement.
+
+"Wal', I s'pose I did see her, but I didn't 'specially notice her, 'cept
+that she was talkin' to you children, for Mrs. Gray was tellin' me a new
+way to make cookies with two eggs instead of four, and I made her tell
+me twice so's I'd remember; two eggs is quite a savin'." But this new
+bit of economy was lost on Randy.
+
+"Did Mrs. Gray tell you her name?" asked Randy, eagerly.
+
+"Seems to me she said it was Dayton, or something like that, but I was
+so took up with that two-egg rule for cookies that I didn't notice." So,
+failing to interest her mother, Randy subsided.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV--PRUE'S MISHAP
+
+
+Down the long, dusty road trudged Randy and Prue one hot morning on
+their way to the village store.
+
+At every step the dust arose like smoke, then settled upon their shoes,
+making a thick coating like that which whitened the blackberry vines
+growing luxuriantly over the wall by the roadside.
+
+Randy was far from pleased to be taking this long walk in the dust and
+heat. She had been sitting upon the rough, wooden seat just outside the
+kitchen door, reading the beloved fairy book, when her mother had
+stepped briskly to the doorway, calling her back from fairyland
+abruptly, saying: "Come, Randy, you must go down to the store after some
+sugar. I've got my cookies 'bout half done and my sugar's given out, so
+you must put on your sunbonnet and take Prue, and go as quick as you
+can. Ye needn't run, only don't waste time."
+
+"Oh, mother," said Randy, "it'll take me twice as long if I have to take
+Prue, she's so little, and she walks so slow."
+
+"I know it," said Mrs. Weston, "but I've got lots to do while you're
+gone, and I can't watch her and work at the same time; so you take her
+'long o' you, and I'll know she's all right."
+
+Randy took her sunbonnet from its peg on the wall and called little
+Prue, who was playing in the sun. The child's delight when told that she
+might go to the store with Randy made the elder girl regret that she had
+demurred when told that she must take her little sister with her.
+
+Prue laughed with delight, and, thrusting her little sunburned hand into
+Randy's, she trudged along, scuffling her feet and laughing to see the
+dust rise in little gray clouds.
+
+At any other time Randy would have checked Prue, but that day her mind
+was too much occupied with the heroine of the fairy tale to notice
+Prue's movements or comment upon them; but Prue was getting tired of
+walking in silence, while Randy indulged herself in day-dreams.
+
+"Why don't you talk, Randy? You haven't talked any since we started,"
+said Prue.
+
+"Oh, it's too hot to talk," answered Randy, and she once more relapsed
+into silence.
+
+Prue dropped Randy's hand, and, leaving the road, she clambered upon the
+wall to hunt among the dusty vines for blackberries. There were more
+leaves than fruit, so the little girl, after finding a few small
+berries, walked along upon the wall until she came to another lot of
+vines, where she again searched for fruit.
+
+While Prue looked for berries Randy was critically inspecting her own
+and her little sister's costume. How ugly they looked! The girl who, up
+to that time, had never seen any one arrayed in anything more beautiful
+than a print or gingham gown, varied by a long apron of blue-checked
+cotton, or a dark, chocolate-colored calico, now looked with startling
+dislike upon that style of apparel.
+
+"Only think," mused Randy, "if we wore white dresses and fine shoes, and
+big hats, 'twouldn't seem near as hot doing errands. Seems as though we
+could sit still in meeting if we had on different clothes and--why, Prue,
+what's the matter?" cried Randy, in answer to a doleful wail from the
+little sister.
+
+"Oh, my foot, my foot!" screamed Prue; "it hurts drefful, and I can't
+get it out."
+
+"Let me see," said Randy. "Hold still a minute; I can get it out, Prue,"
+which, however, proved to be easier said than done. While walking upon
+the wall the little foot had slipped between the stones and seemed
+firmly fixed.
+
+Randy worked gently and patiently, and at last the little foot was out
+of prison. Prue insisted upon having her shoe and stocking taken off,
+saying that her foot felt "awful big," and sure enough it had become a
+trifle swollen. Randy tried in every way to soothe her, assuring her
+that it was but a short walk to the store, but Prue wailed dismally.
+
+"Oh, I can't walk, Randy, my foot aches just drefful, and I can't have
+any shoes on, 'cause my foot has grown big."
+
+Randy blamed herself for the mishap. "I ought to have been taking care
+of Prue instead of thinking of fine clothes," thought Randy. "It ought
+to have been me that got hurt instead of little Prue. 'Twould have
+served me right for being real silly, almost vain, I do believe." And
+thus she berated herself.
+
+Poor, repentant Randy! Careless she had been, but surely not wicked. She
+was utterly at a loss to know what to do. "Don't you think you could
+walk slowly, Prue, if I put my hands under your arms to help you?" she
+asked coaxingly.
+
+"Randy, how can I walk when this foot is most twice as big as my other
+foot?" said Prue.
+
+Randy thought a moment. Then she said: "There's only one thing to do,
+Prue. You can look right down the road and see the store from here. You
+sit still where you are, and I'll run and get the sugar; it won't take
+but a few minutes, and when I get back I'll carry you home in my arms.
+You can hold the sugar and I'll carry you."
+
+Prue tried bravely to stop crying, and although she declared that her
+foot felt "worser," she promised to be patient until Randy should
+return. The store was in the front part of a farm-house but a short
+distance from where the two sat upon the wall, and Randy rushed off down
+the road and in at the open door, in such evident haste that Silas
+Barnes looked at the girl in amazement.
+
+"In a kind of hurry, ain't ye?" said he, as in his usual deliberate
+manner he weighed the sugar.
+
+"Yes, oh, yes," answered Randy, as she almost snatched the bundle and
+darted out of the door and ran up the road to where Prue sat upon the
+wall, a most disconsolate little heap, trying very hard to be brave, but
+sobbing in spite of all endeavor.
+
+"Now, you carry the sugar--just think what a sweet bundle--and I'll take
+you. My arms are real strong, so I believe I can carry you easily."
+
+Prue hugged the parcel, and taking her little sister in her arms Randy
+stepped out bravely toward home. It seemed to her that she could not
+remember such intense heat as she that day experienced. They had taken
+off their sunbonnets as they sat upon the wall, and in their haste they
+had started for home, leaving them where they had dropped them, so that
+their heads were unprotected from the scorching rays of the sun, which
+was now directly overhead.
+
+[Illustration: Randy carrying Prue in her Arms]
+
+Many times Randy was obliged to set Prue upon the wall, just long enough
+to rest her aching arms; then taking her again, she bravely trudged on
+toward home.
+
+Just as she concluded that her arms would surely break, she heard the
+sound of wheels behind her, and looking over her shoulder she saw
+Obadiah Gray's old mare, Clover, jogging along and in the wagon the
+beautiful young girl whom she had so much admired at church.
+
+"There's that pretty girl whom I saw in church last Sunday," thought
+Helen Dayton. "How much prettier she looks without that ugly sunbonnet.
+Why, she has her little sister in her arms, and the little one is
+crying. I'll stop and speak to them." Old Clover, always delighted to
+stop, came to a standstill, and Randy looked up shyly at Helen's
+beautiful face.
+
+"Are you not tired?" said Miss Dayton. "I see that you are carrying your
+little sister." Then, as she noticed the swollen foot, she said: "Oh,
+how did she hurt her foot? Do let me take you home."
+
+Randy was only too glad to accept the invitation so sweetly given; so
+Prue was gently lifted to a place beside Miss Dayton, and then Randy
+clambered in, not only thankful for the ride, but positively charmed to
+be with the lovely driver.
+
+"Now, tell me," said Helen, "how your little sister injured her foot."
+So Randy told her the whole story, and blamed herself more than she
+deserved. "If I hadn't been wishing that I had a big, beautiful hat
+like"--but here Randy stopped abruptly, as she noticed, for the first
+time, that Miss Dayton was wearing the very hat and dress which so
+filled her mind that morning.
+
+"What was the hat like? Anything like the one I am wearing this
+morning?" asked Helen, sweetly.
+
+"Well, yes, just like it," admitted Randy, blushing.
+
+"Did you so much admire my hat?" said Helen. "Well, who knows but that
+on some fine day you may have one quite like it."
+
+When, at last, they had reached Randy's home, both Prue and Randy had
+become quite well acquainted with their new friend.
+
+Mr. Weston had just come in from the field, in answer to a blast from
+the dinner horn, and was as anxious as his wife when told that the
+children had been gone two hours and a half. "I guess I'll have to
+harness up and go down to the store and see if they're--sakes alive! Here
+they be now, with that 'stonishing pretty boarder of Obadiah Gray's,"
+and Mr. Weston hastened down the walk to thank the young lady for her
+kindness.
+
+"I'm much 'bleeged to ye for bringing the children home; mother and I
+was getting anxious. Randy, here, is going on fifteen, and pretty tall
+of her age, but we still call them the children, and Randy, she's
+reliable; so, when she don't appear at the right time, we know that
+something's up. Why, Prue, where's your shoe and stocking?"
+
+"Oh, father," said Randy, "you won't say I was reliable this time."
+
+"Now, Mr. Weston," said Helen Dayton, "Randy blames herself for Prue's
+injured foot, but she has bravely carried her little sister up the long
+hill from the store, and I think accuses herself too harshly."
+
+"Like enough," said Randy's father. "Randy's conscience is all out of
+proportion to her size." Then, once more thanking Helen heartily for her
+kindness, he took little Prue into his arms saying, kindly: "There,
+there, little daughter, I wouldn't cry any more. You're home now, and
+mother'll know just how to fix your foot all right; and, Randy, ye may
+have let yer thoughts wander, so to speak, but you didn't make Prue hurt
+her foot, and ye've more than made up fer it all by bein' so truly
+sorry, and tryin' to bring her home. She's a little girl, but she's
+solid for a girl of your size to carry. 'Stead of blamin' and accusin'
+yourself, you just help mother to make Prue comfortable, and then you
+amuse her with the fairy book, and, may be, she'll forget how bad her
+foot aches."
+
+"I'll do it," said Randy, delighted to think that she could in any way
+be useful to her little sister, and so well did she amuse her that in
+the middle of the sixth fairy tale Prue was sound asleep.
+
+As soon as Mrs. Weston had seen the little foot, she had given it a bath
+in hot water, bound securely about it a hot bandage, and told little
+Prue that she must be quite still.
+
+"I will, if Randy will read to me," said Prue. So Randy read story after
+story, until the little sister was asleep.
+
+Randy sat beside her, intending to read to her again if she awoke, but
+Prue had cried with the aching foot until she was very tired, so she
+slept soundly. Once she stirred, and thrust her chubby hand under her
+head, murmuring as she did so. Randy bent over her, to hear what she
+said.
+
+"The big stones squeezed my foot, so course it wasn't my Randy did it,"
+murmured Prue. "My Randy wouldn't do such a thing to me. My Randy's just
+about right always and she--" but here her voice faltered and that which
+commenced in a sentence ended in a sigh. A bright tear glistened in
+Randy's gray eyes. How lovingly little Prue held her above the
+possibility of anything wrong.
+
+"I must try hard to be as good as Prue thinks I am," thought Randy, and,
+bending, she kissed the little one ever so gently so as not to awaken
+her; "for," thought Randy, "while she sleeps she doesn't know her foot
+aches, and when she wakes I'll read or do anything she wishes me to, to
+amuse her."
+
+And Randy kept her promise. The injury, although not serious, was quite
+painful, and Prue declared that Randy was "'most an angel," so patient
+and entertaining was she, reading the same story over and over again if
+it chanced to please her.
+
+In a few days Prue was able to be about, and Randy was every bit as
+happy as her little sister, to see that the swelling had disappeared and
+the wee foot back to its usual size. There was one story with which Prue
+seemed the most pleased and which she wished oftenest to hear.
+
+That was the story of the "Sleeping Beauty," but it mattered not how
+many times she heard it, she never could tell it straight.
+
+One day Prue's mother said that the little girl would be wise if she
+rested her foot all the afternoon. "I'll sit still on the 'lunge,'" said
+Prue, "if you'll listen to a bea-utiful story called the 'Sleeping
+Beauty.' I guess I can tell it 'most right; do you want to hear it,
+mother?"
+
+Now this was a trial to Mrs. Weston's patience. She had glanced hastily
+at a few pages of the fairy book and had declared it to be "clear
+foolishness," adding, "if it amuses Randy and Prue, I do'no as I care;
+but it puzzles me how they can enjoy it."
+
+But, thinking to please her little daughter and make her willing to sit
+still, she promised to listen attentively to Prue's narrative, adding
+under her breath, "I guess I can stand it for once, if it is foolish."
+So she handed the book to Prue, who declared that, although she couldn't
+read, she could tell the story better by looking at the pictures.
+
+Mrs. Weston brought her sewing to the window nearest the lounge where
+Prue sat as if enthroned, and the youthful entertainer commenced at once
+to tell the story as she remembered it. As Randy afterward said with
+stifled laughter, "If that is the best Prue could tell the story with
+the pictures to help her, how much more could she have twisted it
+without the book?"
+
+"Once upon a time (they all commence that way)," said Prue, "there was a
+little girl so be-autiful that folks 'most went crazy who saw her, an'
+her father was tickled to see how handsome she was when she was a baby;
+an' one time when she was fifteen (that's what Randy is)--no, I forgot,
+when the baby, that's the princess, you know, was a bein'
+chris-chris-chris-tened, there was a lot of fairies that bringed her
+presents, and one was mad because she didn't be invited, and she did
+something awful, but I've forgot what.
+
+"Then the beautiful princess went to sleep a hun-dred years" (here
+Prue's eyes grew round with excitement), "and she grew older and older
+every minute--no, no, she didn't. I mean she didn't grow older a' tall."
+
+Here Randy turned hastily to gaze out of the window, and Prue,
+fortunately, failed to notice her sister's very evident effort to
+conceal her amusement.
+
+"Then everybody in the house--no, palace--went sound asleep and snored,
+and they never waked up 'til the prince kissed them--oh, no, he only
+kissed the princess. Mother, why do you s'pose he didn't kiss anybody
+but the princess? Shouldn't you a thought he would?"
+
+Without waiting for an answer, however, Prue babbled on.
+
+"They was married and lived happy ever after, and all the folks waked
+up, and the horses, and cows, and cats, and dogs, all wagged their tails
+'cause they was awake too. Isn't that a wonderful story?"
+
+"I should say it was," ejaculated practical Mrs. Weston. "Nothing less
+than wonderful."
+
+Mrs. Weston folded the garment which she had been mending, and saying,
+kindly, "That was a long story for a little girl to try to tell," she
+went out to the kitchen to make preparation for tea, leaving Prue still
+looking at the pictures in the fairy book. Randy stole out to the
+kitchen.
+
+"Oh, mother," she said, looking up wistfully, "I know you think it funny
+that I can like fairy stories almost as well as Prue does; but, truly,
+Prue does not tell them straight. They're not true, of course, but they
+do sound pretty when you read them straight through instead of 'mixed
+up' as she gets them."
+
+"I know, of course," said her mother, "that Prue has a funny way of
+telling anything. If you enjoy the stories, I'm sure I don't care, only
+don't ask me to read them. I want to read something that's somewhat
+probable," and Randy was obliged to be satisfied with that.
+
+Mrs. Weston's mind was utterly void of imagination, and to read to her
+of magic locks, of sleep which, lasting a hundred years, left the
+sleeper youthful and beautiful, of wild wishes granted, of people turned
+to stone, and back to life again, simply tried her patience and amused
+her not at all.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V--HELEN DAYTON'S CALL
+
+
+The sun shone in at the kitchen window and made a golden panel on the
+floor.
+
+"Looks like another hot day," said Mrs. Weston, and she paused a moment
+and looked out at the meadow, where the little brook sparkled in the
+sun.
+
+"Mother, are we very poor?" said Randy, irrelevantly.
+
+Mrs. Weston wheeled around abruptly in her surprise, and promptly
+dropped the dishcloth which she held in her hand. "There," said she,
+"look at that dishcloth; somebody's comin' sure as preachin'. I never
+knew it to fail."
+
+"Oh, I do hope somebody will, if it's Miss Dayton, if that's her name,"
+added Randy. "But you didn't answer what I asked you," said the girl.
+"_Are_ we, mother?"
+
+"Why, Randy, what's in your mind? Lately you've been dreamin' most of
+the time, and askin' queer questions between times. Are we what? Poor?
+Why no, I do'no's we be. Your father ain't a rich man, but he's
+well-to-do. What put it in your head to ask me?"
+
+"Nothing," said Randy, "only I was wondering what the reason was that
+all the folks in church yesterday looked so different from Mrs. Gray's
+boarders. Was it because they were poorer or was it some other reason?"
+
+"Well," said Mrs. Weston, as she took the towel from Randy's listless
+hands, and commenced energetically to finish wiping the dishes, "I guess
+we're as well fixed as any one around here; your father owes nobody
+nothin', and our farm's one of the biggest and best in the town. I've
+heard say that some city folks was rich, an' I heard tell of other city
+folks as wasn't so well off as their clothes seemed to make them out;
+and as to our lookin' different, there ain't any call to dress up any
+more than what we do now. I tell you what, Randy, to be clean and neat
+ought to satisfy any one."
+
+To this Randy could not agree, so she wisely said nothing. In her inmost
+heart she knew that, were she the possessor of an immense hat loaded
+with flowers, she would not have the courage to walk into church, the
+cynosure of all eyes. On the other hand, a sunbonnet never had looked so
+uncouth and unbecoming as now.
+
+The dishes put away, the chickens fed, and a dozen other little chores
+attended to, Randy was free to do as she liked; so off to the "best"
+room she flew, eager to brighten it in any way which might suggest
+itself. The best room was a front room, and the front door, although
+seldom used, opened from it, showing a little garden in which grew boys'
+love, larkspur, balsams, and, later in the season, marigolds.
+
+But the front room and the front door were never used; and the little
+path from the door-stone to the flower beds was overgrown with weeds,
+years ago. The side door which led to the barn, the well, and the
+woodpile was the proper one to use. So Randy did not open the door; it
+never occurred to her to do so; but she drew up the green paper
+curtains, and let in the sunlight, and, although the room was
+scrupulously clean, she decided that the correct thing to do first was
+to dust.
+
+Between the front windows stood a little table with an oil-cloth cover,
+dotted with red and green figures. Over the table, and quite too high
+for any one to take a peep, hung a small, square looking-glass with a
+broad, wooden frame.
+
+Randy remembered having seen a huge asparagus plume over a mirror in the
+parson's sitting room on one gala occasion when the sewing-circle had
+met there, and she had been permitted to be present with her mother.
+Asparagus, then, would be quite the thing with which to decorate the
+glass. The parson's mirror had a gilt frame and a gorgeous landscape
+above the glass, and Randy felt sure that the wooden frame needed the
+decoration even more than the gilt one. The asparagus in place, Randy
+stopped in the middle of the floor, duster in hand, to view the effect.
+Her eyes wandered about the room, and this is what she saw.
+
+On the opposite wall was a picture entitled "The Tree of Life," on which
+every known virtue hung pendant from the branches on one side, while
+every evil of which man is guilty kept the balance on the other.
+
+This picture always served to depress Randy. The tree was a sombre
+green, and Randy espied Envy printed in large type on that side where
+hung the sins, and she felt sure that a wee bit of envy had crept into
+her heart on Sunday, and as she looked at the pictured tree she said,
+under her breath: "Must have been vanity that made me almost hate my
+sunbonnet. The parson preached a while ago on the sin of vanity."
+
+Poor Randy! To think it a sin to long with all her girlish heart for
+pretty things! With a sigh she turned from the picture of the tree to
+the one hanging upon the side wall. This was more cheerful--an ancient
+fashion plate in which insipid-looking gentlemen, in white trousers and
+long, blue coats, were smiling at some waxen-faced ladies whose
+beruffled skirts were voluminously extended.
+
+She rather admired this picture, mainly because the people in it, at
+least, looked cheerful. Leaving the pictures, Randy let her eyes slowly
+wander over the furnishings. As none of her neighbors or acquaintances
+had carpets, the yellow painted floor seemed quite fine. The chairs were
+also yellow, and as a crowning luxury, a green enamelled cloth lounge
+stood in all its slippery grandeur against the wall, beside the door.
+
+Randy liked the lounge, but wished it possible to sit upon it without
+slipping. While she was wishing that she had some pretty thing in the
+shape of an ornament for the table, her eyes wandered to the window,
+where, looking out into the garden, she could see the tall spikes of
+pink and blue larkspur waving in the breeze. A bright idea! Why not have
+some flowers upon the table?
+
+Away she ran to the kitchen closet, and there she inspected everything
+on the shelves, so anxious was she to find something fine for her
+flowers.
+
+"Oh, that's the thing," said Randy, "if mother'll let me have it."
+Appealed to, Mrs. Weston looked doubtful. "'Tain't a vase," said she,
+"it's my old white and blue spoon holder, an' I do'no how it will look
+in the best room."
+
+"But you'd be willing I should use it, wouldn't you?" Randy asked
+eagerly.
+
+"Oh, I don't mind your usin' it; go put your posies in it an' see how it
+looks."
+
+Surprised and delighted that her mother should express the least
+interest, Randy skipped out into the garden and came running back in a
+few moments with a dozen long stalks of larkspur in her hands. She
+filled the old spoon holder with water and crowded in the flowers, then
+away she ran to the best room.
+
+"Oh, mother," she called, a minute later, "do come and see the room."
+Mrs. Weston stopped in the doorway.
+
+"Wal', I do declare," she ejaculated, "I must say that does look pretty.
+Why, Randy, you do have a real knack to fix it up so. Them flowers
+brighten up the place wonderful, and that sparrowgrass just beats
+anything."
+
+"Oh, I'm so glad you like it, mother! Would you put some on the mantel
+if you were me?"
+
+"I'd put some anywhere," said her mother, wiping her eyes with the
+corner of her apron. "I declare I'd actually forgotten how much the
+blossoms cheer up the house. I used to bring them in when I was first
+married, but ever sence I've been too busy to think of anything but
+cookin', sweepin', sewin', and mendin' from Monday 'til Saturday; but,
+Randy, if you're a mind to, you may bring in a few blossoms once in a
+while. It seems like the time when I used to fix up the house, and
+myself too, for that matter."
+
+Mrs. Weston was a reserved woman, and Randy was amazed that her mother
+should show so much feeling, and delighted that her efforts at
+decoration were approved.
+
+"I wish I had something to hang down from the mantel in some way. I
+don't know how to say it, but I know just how it ought to look." A
+moment Randy stood thinking with a queer little scowl over her eyes.
+Then her face brightened, and out of the room she darted, then across
+the yard to the old well around whose sides the wild morning glory
+clambered. Lifting her skirt, she filled it with the long vines and
+hurried back to the house.
+
+She filled a small stone jar with water, carried it to the front room
+and stood it in the centre of the mantel, and then proceeded to fill it
+with long sprays of the morning glory. When all the vines were thus
+disposed of, she inspected her work.
+
+"There, you couldn't have done better," said her mother, and Randy felt
+rewarded for her efforts. Then they turned to go back to the kitchen,
+and there, in the doorway, stood Helen Dayton. Randy started.
+
+"Forgive me for startling you, and also for coming in without knocking.
+I was out for a walk, and coming up the hill I thought of your
+invitation. I walked toward the house and was about to knock when this
+little puss offered to lead me through the house to you."
+
+"I'm sure you're welcome any time, Miss Dayton, and this girl of mine,"
+laying her hand on Randy's arm, "has been so eager to see you again I
+do'no what would have become of her if you had waited long to come."
+
+Randy blushed, and Helen Dayton laughed and said that she was very glad
+to be so welcome. Then she chatted pleasantly with Mrs. Weston "just as
+if she had always known her," as Randy afterward said.
+
+While she was talking, a little book which lay upon Miss Dayton's lap
+fell to the floor and flew open, showing a page of bright little
+sketches, and Randy and Prue stared at it in wonder. "My sketch book,"
+said Miss Dayton. "I am not an artist, but I have a bit of talent and
+have studied a little, and when I go out for a walk I jot down a part of
+a birch tree, a few wild flowers, or some tall weeds beside an old wall.
+Take the book and look at it if you like," she added, as she caught the
+eager look upon Randy's face.
+
+Gladly Randy picked up the little book. The drawings were not wonderful,
+only rather clever, but to the country girl, who had never seen a
+sketch, they were truly charming. Randy looked at each little picture at
+least a dozen times, always telling Prue in a whisper that she must not
+put her little fingers on them.
+
+"However did you do them?" asked Randy. "I didn't know that anybody ever
+did such beautiful things."
+
+"Thank you for liking them," said Helen; "but you must not call them
+beautiful."
+
+"But," said Randy, "that old mullein stalk looks just like a mullein,
+and those birches look just 's if you could strip the bark off."
+
+Helen laughed at Randy's enthusiasm. "Sometime, when I come," said she,
+"I will make a sketch of your old well."
+
+"Our well!" said Randy, "would that look pretty in a picture?" Helen was
+amused. "You shall see," said she; "and now tell me who arranged the
+flowers and vines so prettily?"
+
+"I did," said Randy; "I did it to please you," and Randy, the sketch
+book still in her hand, looked up into the lovely face.
+
+Helen Dayton laid a gentle hand on Randy's shoulder, saying sweetly,
+"Thank you so much, but tell me why you so wished to please me?"
+
+"Because you are the very loveliest girl I ever saw in this world," and
+then Randy blushed and looked down to cover her confusion.
+
+"And because you are the princess," chimed in Prue, who had been still
+an unusually long time.
+
+"The princess!" echoed Helen. "Whatever do you mean, dear? I am not a
+princess," and Randy hastened to explain. She told all about the fairy
+book, and how on Sunday in church little Prue had felt sure that Miss
+Dayton was the princess of the fairy tales.
+
+"Well, of all things!" said Helen; "now I must assure you, little one,
+that I am not a princess, only Helen Dayton of Boston."
+
+"But you look like one," persisted the child, looking at her with round,
+admiring eyes. Mrs. Weston had slipped from the room, while the children
+entertained their visitor, and as she bustled about the kitchen, doing
+many things, she murmured softly to herself, "Randy's right, the girl
+_is_ lovely."
+
+A pretty picture they made--the young girl and the two children--as they
+sat in the best room, chatting now like old acquaintances. Helen had
+taken little Prue upon her lap, where she sat looking admiringly up into
+that young lady's face, while Randy sat beside her on the floor, telling
+her all her small confidences.
+
+"Randy's such a homely name," she was saying. "'Tain't so bad as
+Jerushy, but it's homely enough."
+
+"But that isn't the whole name, is it? Isn't it 'Miranda'?" asked Helen.
+
+"Why, yes," said Randy, "and it sounds almost fine when you say it; but,
+generally, it's just Randy. And there's Prue. Her name is Prudence,
+after Aunt Prudence."
+
+"Who's just horrid," said Prue, so vehemently that Helen and Randy
+laughed. After a pause Randy asked, abruptly, "If you belong in Boston,
+how could you come here to board; Boston's a city, my geography says so,
+and this is just country."
+
+"That is just why I came here," said Helen. "The spring found me very
+tired, after a long, gay winter, and I came here to be quiet, and get
+rested."
+
+"How funny!" said Randy. "I was wishing and wishing the other day that
+it wasn't always so quiet here, and the other night when father was
+talking to Jason Meade about buying the big piece of meadow land, Mr.
+Meade was saying that he was going to Boston for a spell--he's been there
+once--and he told about the streets full of people, and cars running all
+day, and teams and everything; and I did wish things would fly around
+here awhile."
+
+Randy paused for breath, and looking at the pretty, eager face, Helen
+stooped, and touching the curly head ever so lightly with her lips she
+said, "Dear Randy, I'll try to stir things up a bit, and we will see if
+we cannot have some pleasant times while I am here."
+
+"Oh, will you?" said Randy, eagerly.
+
+"I never went anywhere 'cept to a sewing-circle once."
+
+"What will you do?" asked Prue.
+
+"Oh, you shall see," said Helen, laughingly. "We are planning a picnic
+now," said she, "and if we really have it, I'll invite you, and you
+shall go with me."
+
+"With you!" said Randy. "I'd love to, but I shouldn't look fit," and she
+looked admiringly at Helen Dayton's dainty outing suit, and glanced up
+at the trim sailor hat perched upon her pretty head.
+
+"Oh, you will look every bit fine enough with a shade hat--we shall all
+wear broad-brimmed hats--and a clean gingham dress," said Helen,
+cheerily.
+
+"But I've got nothing but sunbonnets," said Randy, "'less father will
+buy me one next time he takes eggs and vegetables to the village. I mean
+to ask him to if that would be soon enough," and she looked up eagerly
+at Helen.
+
+"Oh, yes, indeed," said Helen, "we've planned to have it in about two
+weeks."
+
+"I want to go, too," said little Prue.
+
+"Of course, dear, so you shall," said Helen, "and now I must be going,
+but I'll tell you all about the picnic the next time we meet. Do you
+know where Mrs. Gray lives, Randy?"
+
+Randy laughed. "Of course I do," said she.
+
+"Well, when father brings home your new shade hat, and of course he
+will, if you wish it so much, suppose you take a walk over to Mrs.
+Gray's and make a little call upon me, and when you come bring the new
+hat with you; I shouldn't wonder if I had something with which to trim
+it."
+
+"Oh, I will, I will!" said Randy, eagerly, "and then you'll tell me all
+about the picnic."
+
+With sheer excitement little Prue was executing a funny little jig,
+which reminded Helen to inquire for the injured foot.
+
+"It's all well. See!" and Prue hopped upon that one foot to assure her
+that it was quite itself again.
+
+"I should call that foot very well indeed," said Helen. Then together
+they walked out to the kitchen where, bidding good morning to Mrs.
+Weston, Helen said that she had enjoyed her call, admired Randy's
+tasteful decoration, and asked if she might borrow Randy once in a
+while.
+
+"Why, yes, you may have Randy whenever I can spare her," said Mrs.
+Weston, "'though she seems so took up with you, and so delighted, that
+when she comes home from a call on you I'm afraid she'll about tread on
+air."
+
+Helen laughed, and taking Randy's hand they walked together as far as
+the road where Randy, perched upon the wall, watched her new friend out
+of sight.
+
+Helen turned many times to wave her hand until a bend in the road hid
+her from view. Then Randy walked slowly to the house, followed by Prue,
+and as they walked they talked of nothing but Helen's beauty and
+sweetness and the wonderful picnic.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI--THE PICNIC
+
+
+Mr. Weston had gone to market two days after Helen Dayton's call upon
+Randy. He had laughed heartily at the description of the exact kind of
+shade hat which Randy wished for, and as he drove off he continued to
+laugh as Mrs. Weston called after him, "Remember, she wants a white hat;
+don't, for mercy's sake, come home with a brown one."
+
+"And, father," shrieked Randy, "remember to get a big one and one that
+isn't too coarse."
+
+"Yes, yes, land sakes! I b'lieve I'll bring ye home a dozen to pick
+from," and the good man chuckled to himself--he had his own plan for
+doing Randy's errand. His eggs and vegetables disposed of, he turned to
+start for home, when he ejaculated, "Bless me! if I didn't most forgit
+Randy's hat." Back into the store he went. "What have ye got for hats?"
+said Mr. Weston. "My Randy's set her mind on havin' a fine shade hat for
+the picnic, and nothin' but a white one will do."
+
+Silas Barnes reached under his counter and brought forth a dozen straw
+hats, which lie spread out for Mr. Weston to select from.
+
+"Wal', that beats all! Randy and her mother told me just how it ought to
+look, but I don't see any difference in 'em, do you, Barnes?"
+
+"Why, yes," replied the genial storekeeper, "that one's twice as fine as
+the other, an' it's worth twice as much."
+
+"Wal', I guess it's 'bout good enough for Randy, then, and I'll take
+it."
+
+When her father returned that night Randy met him at the door, and with
+a little cry of delight took the parcel which he handed her, and she
+could not find words to express her pleasure when the fresh, white hat
+lay before her on the table.
+
+"Dear me! Ye might have had one before, if it delights ye so," said her
+mother; "I didn't think of it before, because most every girl here wears
+a sunbonnet."
+
+"Well, I've got it now," said Randy, "and to-morrow I'll go over to Miss
+Dayton's and she'll trim it for me; she said she would." On the
+following day, true to her promise, Helen gave Randy a cordial welcome,
+and trimmed the hat with some gay ribbons which, although not new, were
+very pretty, and to Randy seemed nothing short of gorgeous.
+
+On the day of the picnic no happier heart than Randy Weston's beat fast
+with anticipation; and with Prue's hand held tightly in her own she
+started, as they had planned, for Mrs. Gray's house to join Helen.
+
+"Don't forget to take care of Prue," called her mother.
+
+"I won't forget," answered Randy.
+
+Mr. Weston stepped back into the house after watching the children until
+a bend in the road concealed them from view, and sat down for a moment
+before going out to the field. "I tell ye what, mother," said he, "I
+mean those girls shall have a chance. I'd no idee what a difference
+there was between a hat and a sunbunnit. I say, why don't you have a new
+bunnit yourself, mother? You were every bit as pretty as our Randy when
+you were young, and I b'lieve you'd look a good deal the same now, with
+a little fixin'. Just see the difference in Randy with a bran' new hat!
+When we was a-payin' off the mortgage we had to scrimp; but now, I think
+ye might have a few duds, once in a while."
+
+He stopped, expecting a rebuff, and was surprised when his wife turned
+with a sweet smile and said, "I b'lieve I will have just a few things."
+
+"Ye can have what ye want," was the hearty rejoinder, "and we'll go to
+the village next week and do some shoppin'," and with a jolly whistle he
+started for the barn.
+
+When they arrived at Mrs. Gray's, the children were surprised to find
+almost every man, woman, and child who had been invited to the picnic
+already there, and, as they were all talking at once, it was impossible
+to understand what any one person was saying.
+
+Very conscious of her new hat was Randy, and she longed to find Helen
+that she might talk with her. She knew that any one with whom she
+stopped to speak would mention her new finery, so she only nodded
+pleasantly to the girls whom she passed, and walked toward the house,
+hoping there to find Helen. Helen saw her and came out to meet her; but
+as Randy passed the Babson girls, she heard Phoebe Small say to them:
+"Look at Randy Weston! Isn't she getting fine!"
+
+"Dunno how fine she is," responded Belinda Babson; "but I don't see as
+she need walk right by us, just because she's got a new hat."
+
+Poor Randy! She had not the least idea of being vain or silly. "Why need
+the girls spoil the fun of my having a new hat," said she, and a hot
+flush crept up on her cheek, but soon Helen's merry chatter caused Randy
+to forget Phoebe's unkindness, and she was laughing and talking as gayly
+as Helen herself.
+
+Miss Dobbs, the little soprano of the choir, hearing Randy's laugh,
+turned and smiled, an unusual thing for her to do, saying: "How are ye,
+Randy? That's a dreadful pretty hat."
+
+"I like it," said Randy, simply, although her eyes showed her delight
+that some one should approve of it. "Miss Dayton trimmed it for me;
+didn't she do it lovely?" continued Randy, anxious that her new friend
+should have all the glory which belonged to her for her millinery skill.
+
+"Umph!" ejaculated Miss Dobbs, "they do say you're pretty int'mit with
+Miss Dayton, considering she's from the city." Randy moved away, pleased
+with the compliment for her hat, but hurt by the last remark.
+"'Considering she's from the city,'" thought Randy. "Anybody'd think I
+asked her to be pleasant to me. Why, I wouldn't have dared to. She
+wanted to be nice, and I was glad enough to let her," and she brushed
+away a tear and forced back a sob which rose in her throat.
+
+Just then something happened to cheer Randy and give her a wee bit of
+triumph.
+
+Phoebe Small moved toward Randy and fastening her small eyes
+disapprovingly upon the offending hat, she was about to speak, when,
+without noticing Phoebe at all, Jotham Potts walked awkwardly up to
+Randy, and, standing upon one foot, then shifting to the other, he said:
+"Morning, Randy! Be you going to walk to the picnic or ride? Because,"
+he continued, "I told father I'd like to have you ride with us, seein's
+we have a spare seat, and he said he'd be pleased to have your company.
+Will ye come, Randy? I do wish ye would."
+
+"I'd like to, and thank you," answered Randy, sweetly, with a blush and
+a glance at Phoebe Small, who pretended not to have heard, "but I
+promised to go in Mr. Gray's team with Miss Dayton, so I'll have to."
+
+"I wish ye was goin' with us, but as ye can't, I'll see ye at the
+picnic," said Jotham, and he turned to get into his father's wagon;
+then, stepping back to where Randy was standing, he blushed, and from
+his pocket produced a little package.
+
+"Here, Randy," he said, "I brought this a purpose for you to enjoy
+durin' the ride, so I guess I'll give it to ye now."
+
+"Oh, thank you," said Randy, "how good you are," and that so completely
+overcame Jotham that he retired in confusion. By this time the party was
+about ready to start. The choir had decided to go in the first wagon and
+enliven the way by singing, and were still discussing as to a selection
+from their scant repertoire.
+
+"Ye needn't ask me to join ye," said Silas Barnes, "and sing
+'Chany,'"--he meant China--"for I don't think that's gay enough for a
+picnic."
+
+Miss Hobson suggested that they might please Mr. Barnes by singing
+"Yankee Doodle." This was meant to suggest that Silas Barnes was too
+frivolous, but he did not, apparently, feel injured, as he laughingly
+answered that he would "rather be patriotic than mournful, and he reely
+guessed they'd better settle upon 'Yankee Doodle,' as Miss Hobson
+suggested."
+
+On one end of the door-stone old Mrs. Perkins had just convinced her
+neighbor, Mrs. Johnson, that it was just the right time of the year to
+gather 'pennyroyal' and mouse-ear, and so have them a-drying, and Mrs.
+Buffum had gathered the six little Buffums under her wing by uttering
+this awful threat:--
+
+"Johnny! Johnny Buffum! do you and Hitty want to go to the picnic?
+Katie! do you and Jack and Sophy and Ann want to stay at home? Well,
+then, come here, or the first thing you'll know the wagons'll go without
+ye!"
+
+From all directions the six young Buffums rushed and crowded closely
+around their mother. Stay at home from their first picnic? Never!
+
+At last every one had arrived, and they lost no time in clambering into
+the waiting wagons; then away they jogged toward the grove.
+
+Farmer Gray had taken his wife and Helen Dayton, Randy and little Prue
+in one wagon, and had told his other boarders that they were welcome to
+fill his two remaining wagons, allotting places as they chose.
+
+The wagon with the choir had started first, and Randy and Helen could
+still faintly hear the stirring strains of "Yankee Doodle." Randy sat
+with sparkling eyes, enjoying the ride as she had never enjoyed one
+before. Had she not a fine new hat? Was she not beside the beautiful
+Miss Dayton? and had not Jotham, to the envy of the other girls, given
+her a package purchased expressly for her?
+
+"What you got in your bundle what Jotham gave you, Randy?" asked Prue.
+"Will you let me see?"
+
+"Yes, do let us see," said Helen Dayton; "I know it must be something
+nice."
+
+So Randy untied the package and found a lot of huge pink and white
+peppermints, which Prue at once commenced to help her eat. Helen
+pronounced them to be very nice, but as she never liked peppermints,
+politely excused herself from eating them by saying that she must save
+her appetite for the spread at the picnic.
+
+Along the dusty road they jogged, Randy never minding the heat, Helen
+feeling it intensely, even with the protection of her dainty ruffled
+parasol. Sometimes they rode under overhanging boughs which made long,
+cool shadows across the road, then over a sunny, dusty stretch with only
+a fringe of daisies by the roadside and a chain of hazy blue hills in
+the distance.
+
+[Illustration: On the Way to the Picnic]
+
+The occupants of one wagon would chat merrily with those in the wagon
+behind them; and so, with sunny and shady roads, with laughter and song,
+they at last reached the grove.
+
+The horses were unharnessed and tethered with a rope long enough to
+permit them to graze. The baskets of lunch were all placed in one large
+wagon which stood in the shade of a huge tree. Then intimate friends and
+neighbors formed little groups and sat under the trees and chatted
+together, delighted to have this little outing. The children played
+hide-and-seek behind the tree trunks, and those farmers who had left
+their work to enjoy the holiday talked over their crops, their cattle,
+and the price of produce when disposed of at the village store.
+
+The Babson girls were each trying in an awkward fashion to win favor in
+the eyes of Reuben Jenks, who Phoebe Small declared "had a hull basketful
+of maple sugar stored away under the seat of his father's wagon."
+
+When Reuben had spoken of the picnic his mother, who was, to express it
+mildly, a frugal woman, had said that she, for one, didn't approve of
+picnics. "Folks eat four times as much at a picnic as they do at home,
+and ain't no better satisfied," she declared; but after much urging she
+consented to go, saying: "A lot of maple sugar'll be all I'll take.
+Sweets take away folks' appetites, and folks that eat my maple sugar
+won't want much else."
+
+But try as they would, neither Belinda's nor Jemima's blandishments
+brought forward any of the desired sugar. Now Reuben liked the girls
+well enough, and his boyish vanity was pleased by their evident liking
+for his society. He was a generous little fellow and would gladly have
+treated his friends, but his mother's eyes were upon him, and he said
+afterward, he "just didn't dare."
+
+Jotham Potts, hearing Helen say that she liked water cresses, gallantly
+offered to go and find some, assuring her that he knew just where they
+grew.
+
+Helen, Randy, and Prue sat under a large tree, and Helen promised, since
+Randy was so charmed with fairy tales, to tell some which she knew they
+had never heard. She told them tales from Grimm's wonderful book,
+pleasantly answering Prue's funny questions regarding them. When she
+related the story of the "Gold Children," little Prue's eyes dilated
+with wonder.
+
+"It's just beautiful," said Randy.
+
+"If they were clear, solid gold how could they move or stir?" asked
+Prue.
+
+Helen laughed, and patted the little girl's cheek as she said: "Dear
+little girl, you mustn't ask questions which have no answers. Remember
+the fairy tales are not true, only amusing."
+
+Having told story after story, Helen became a bit weary, and she
+proposed that the children should gather a few flowers, saying that she
+would twine them into a lovely wreath for Prue's curly head.
+
+Off went the children to search for the finest blossoms to heap in
+Helen's lap. Soon little Prue hastened back with three large daisies and
+a buttercup, asking if they were quite enough to make a wreath. "No,
+indeed," said Helen, "I must have ever so many more."
+
+Away ran Prue, shouting to the children, "Miss Dayton says it takes a
+nawful lot more." Soon other children came running to Helen with little
+hands full of buttercups and daisies, until she cried, "Enough, more
+than enough!" and commenced the weaving of the wreath.
+
+The children watched her dainty fingers, as with airy grace they
+fashioned it, and when she twined the ends of the garland together, and
+placed the finished wreath upon Prue's head, their delight knew no
+bounds.
+
+"Oh, Miss Dayton, you can do anything, can't you?" said Belinda Babson.
+
+"Oh, no, indeed!" said Helen, "there are many, many things which I
+cannot do."
+
+Then they spread the table-cloth upon the grass, and "put the picnic on
+it," as Prue said. Prue's idea of a picnic was a lunch out of doors, and
+until the luncheon made its appearance, she felt that the picnic had not
+even commenced. Then suddenly clapping her chubby hands, and dancing in
+a manner which threatened to dislodge her flower crown, she said, "May I
+wear this wreath while I eat my lunch?"
+
+"Oh, do," said Helen, "it is really very becoming."
+
+Every one seemed anxious that Helen should sit as guest of honor at the
+spread, so, with children on either side, she took her place, and deftly
+put each one present at ease with her bright, pleasant conversation; now
+saying a kind word to old Mrs. Dewing, that she might not feel
+neglected, or laughing lightly at Farmer Morse's clumsy wit, noticing
+Randy's gentle manner with her little sister, and at the same time, with
+ready tact, seeming unmindful of the practised hand with which Jack
+Marden handled his pie with his knife.
+
+So with laughter and gay chatter the lunch was eaten and cleared away,
+and some one proposed some games.
+
+"Let's play 'On the green carpet,'" said Phoebe Small, and a chorus of
+voices echoed: "Oh, yes! Let's play that first;" so, joining hands, they
+sang the old tune as they danced about Helen, whom they insisted should
+first stand in the centre.
+
+  "And choose the one
+  That you love best,"
+
+sang the children.
+
+"I choose Randy," said Helen, much to Randy's delight.
+
+  "Give her a kiss and send her away,
+  And tell her you'll call another day,"
+
+sang the gay little troop, and Helen stooped, and taking Randy's sweet
+face between her hands she kissed her and slipped from the ring. Around
+and about Randy they circled, and then she must choose. She longed to
+choose Helen, and turned toward her, but Helen said, "We must not keep
+choosing each other, Randy, because it is more fun to change about," so
+Randy turned with a puzzled face, wondering whom to choose. Seeing the
+little sister's eager face, she decided at once. "I choose you, pussy,"
+said she.
+
+Into the ring sprang Prue. "Oh, Randy," said the child, "you did love me
+best, didn't you?"
+
+"Of course," said Randy; "but now we know, Prue, that you love me best,
+you choose the one you love next best, because that's the way to play
+it;" so, wondering much whom the child would favor, Randy left her in
+the circle. But it did not take dear little Prue a great while to
+decide.
+
+"Next to Randy, I guess I like you, Jotham, so I choose you," said the
+child. Every one laughed except Jotham, who, seeing the little girl's
+lip quiver, said awkwardly, yet very kindly, "You're a nice little girl,
+Prue, and I'm real proud to have you choose me;" at which Prue's spirits
+rose, and, turning with one little hand in Jotham's, she said: "You
+needn't have laughed if I did choose a big boy. He's very nice, and
+'most always gives Randy candy, and she gives some to me."
+
+This so amused every one that they commenced to pet Prue, and, much to
+Jotham's delight, the game ended, for he felt that he could have chosen
+none but Randy as his favorite among his friends, and he realized that
+this would have been a trying ordeal for his diffidence.
+
+Many games they played that sunny afternoon, and so fast flew the hours
+that every one was surprised when Deacon Turnbull pulled out his great,
+old-fashioned "timepiece" and declared that it "wanted a quarter to six,
+and that they ought to be hitchin' up and startin' toward home."
+
+So the baskets and pails were packed into the wagons, the horses
+harnessed, and the merry, tired party started homeward.
+
+Some of the picnickers were jolly, singing as they went along, others
+were too tired to sing; but all were unanimous in voting the picnic a
+success, many declaring that it was just wonderful how Miss Dayton
+planned it, and that they didn't know when they'd had such a good time.
+The ride with Helen was delightful to the two children, Randy looking
+admiringly at Helen all the way and talking little. She was really too
+happy for conversation.
+
+Not so with little Prue. She sat between Helen and Randy, and all the
+way home her chatter was interspersed with snatches of the songs which
+had been a part of their games.
+
+  "'On the green carpet here we stand,
+  Take your true love by the hand,
+  Give her a kiss and send her away,
+  And tell her--'
+
+"That's just the best picnic I ever saw, wasn't it, Randy?"
+
+Before Randy could answer, out rang the childish treble again:--
+
+  "'Sailor in er boat when the tide runs high,
+  Sailor in er boat when the tide runs high,
+  Sailor in er boat when the tide runs high,
+  Waiting for a pretty girl to--'
+
+"Oh, Miss Dayton, don't you think Jotham's 'most as nice as a prince? I
+do," said Prue, without waiting for an answer, although she looked up in
+Miss Dayton's face expectantly.
+
+Helen took Prue's little dimpled hand in her own as she said: "All
+princes are not good, although many of them are very, very good indeed.
+Jotham has a good face, and I am sure when I really know him I shall
+like him very much. If he grows to be a good, brave, true man, that is
+worth much more than being a prince."
+
+"Yes'm," said Prue, not quite catching Helen's meaning, yet vaguely
+understanding that Jotham was fully appreciated. Prue's curly head
+swayed a little, like a tired flower; and Helen, slipping her arm around
+her, drew her toward her, and soon the little girl's head lay against
+her new friend.
+
+Still she sang, although drowsily:--
+
+  "'Oh, what a beautiful choice you've made,
+  Don't you wish you'd longer stayed?'"
+
+The last line was drawled out so slowly that Randy said, "Oh, wake up,
+Prue, you're asleep."
+
+"I guess I ain't sleepy, but my eyes feel 's if--" she was now really
+asleep just as they reached Farmer Gray's door.
+
+Mr. Weston was waiting in the dooryard with his own team to take the
+children home, and, after an exchange of remarks with Mr. Gray regarding
+the weather and bluff, but hearty thanks to Miss Dayton for the
+children's day of pleasure, he took little Prue in his arms, and,
+placing her in Randy's lap, gathered up the reins, and with a resounding
+"g'lang there" the old mare ambled toward home.
+
+Mrs. Weston was at the door when they arrived. "Well, Randy," said she,
+smiling.
+
+"Oh, mother!" cried Randy, "it was just splendid, and we had such good
+times all day."
+
+"What! Prue asleep?"
+
+"No," said little Prue, "I ain't asleep, but my eyes feel funny, and we
+had gingerbread and peppermints, and cold sausage and lemonade, and 'On
+the--green--carpet,' and I chose Jotham, and I had a wreath and some maple
+sugar, and it was all made of daisies and butter--cups--and--and," but here
+she lost the thread of her story, and was carried upstairs and put in
+her bed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII--RANDY OUTWITS JASON MEADE
+
+
+The day after the picnic was a busy one for Mrs. Weston, and Randy,
+eager to be helpful, was really a fine assistant. She washed all the
+dishes, allowing little Prue to wipe the spoons, knives, and forks
+because they would not break if dropped, then she thoroughly cleansed
+the milk cans and put them just outside the door to dry in the bright
+sunlight.
+
+"Now, mother, what do you suppose I'm going to do next?" said Randy.
+
+"I don't know," said her mother, "but ye have worked this morning like
+all possessed."
+
+"Well," said Randy, "I'm just going to bring in towels and aprons from
+the line and sprinkle and iron them, so's you can sit down awhile after
+dinner."
+
+Mrs. Weston looked at the bright, flushed face a moment, then said: "I
+do declare, Randy, you're a real help. There ain't a better daughter in
+this town, if I do say it."
+
+"Oh, mother," said Randy, "I'd 'most work my fingers off just to hear
+you say that. I help you because I love you, though somehow I never 'til
+now could say it."
+
+Mrs. Weston wiped her eyes with a corner of her apron, then, turning to
+Randy, she kissed her, saying: "Why, Randy, it does me good to hear you
+say it, and, child, ye must know I'm all bound up in you and Prue. We
+busy folks sometimes forget to show how much we really feel."
+
+"I mean," said Randy, "to make you and father happy, always; sometimes I
+forget to help, but always I mean to."
+
+"I know ye do," said her mother.
+
+Randy moved about the kitchen with a subtle sense of exhilaration. Her
+mother had always been kind and good, but to have her speak of her
+affection and say a word of approval for her helpfulness, what more
+could be needed to make a young girl happy? thought Randy.
+
+She sang little snatches of melody while she cleared the dinner table,
+and grasped the first leisure moment to steal out under the apple tree,
+thence toward the brook to the old stone wall. A large stone had toppled
+from the wall, and Randy sat down upon it to rest. She had intended to
+make a little call upon Miss Dayton, to talk over the events of the
+picnic, and to hear what her new friend had to tell her; for Helen had
+hinted that she had another good time planned, and she promised to tell
+Randy all about it when next they met.
+
+Tall alders grew luxuriantly almost the entire length of the wall, which
+served as a fence for one side of the pasture; and Randy, a bit tired
+with the forenoon's work, easily fell into one of her day-dreams, when
+she was aroused by hearing voices behind the alders. There seemed to be
+two voices, and Randy heard them mention her father's name. She was an
+honest girl who, under ordinary circumstances, would have scorned to
+listen; but something in the tone of the speaker's voice seemed
+distinctly unfriendly when he spoke of her father, and Randy seemed,
+against her will, riveted to the spot and obliged to listen. She must
+have taken her place on the big stone when the conversation was well
+under way, but the sound of her own footsteps, while unheard by the
+earnest talkers, had prevented her from hearing their voices. She was
+invisible to them as they were to her, separated as they were by the
+alders.
+
+"Now, I've tried and tried 'til I'm tired er tryin' to sell Mr. Weston
+that piece er medder land er mine, 'n' it would a been sold long ago if
+I hadn't been bound to swap land instead er taking cash."
+
+"Yes, but I don't see the great pint er not takin' cash ef he's fool
+enough to pay it," said the second voice.
+
+[Illustration: "Nearer to the Wall she crept"]
+
+"I don't s'pose ye do, 'til I tell ye. Ye haven't been here fer years,
+'n' only come yisterday, an' ef you was anybody under the sun but my own
+brother, I wouldn't tell ye now."
+
+How Randy's heart beat! Surely, it was right to listen now. If any one
+meant to do her father harm, she must know it and warn him. Nearer to
+the wall she crept, with a stealth which she was unaware she possessed,
+and she tried to hush her breathing which came quick and hard.
+
+"Just listen to this, Jim. My wife's just got back from a visit to her
+folks, I forgit the name of the town, 'though it's on my tongue's end
+this minute, and while she was there she heard say that they're goin' to
+run a railroad through this part of the town, next summer, jest a sort
+er branch road from the one that goes through the centre, and my wife
+never let on that she was much interested; but she asked 'nough
+questions, kinder keerful like, and she found that ef they _do_ build
+the road, and she says the folks down that way say they do really mean
+to, it'll be straight across that little bit er rocky field, back er
+Weston's barn. Now, I argy that Weston's got money _'nough_, and I mean
+ter keep at him 'til he agrees ter swap that 'ere little pesky, rocky
+field er his'n fer my piece er medder land. The more I urge him the less
+he seems ter want ter swap, an' I even offered to throw in a good young
+steer to boot, an' all the satisfaction I could git out er him was,
+'Wal', I dunno what makes yer so anxious fer that little piece er land
+er mine.'
+
+"He don't know nothin' 'bout the railroad yet, but there's no knowin'
+how soon he will. My wife's naggin' me to make him swap, but I'd like to
+see her try to hurry Weston when he don't intend to hurry; but I tell ye
+now, ef that 'ere road _does_ run through his field, I mean ter own it
+_fust_, an' I'm goin' up ter night ter talk him inter it."
+
+Randy now realized that the speaker's voice was no other than Jason
+Meade's. She was but fifteen, but she knew that if her father yielded to
+his neighbor's urging, it would in some way mean loss to him. All
+thought of her call upon Helen vanished, and in its place lay a great
+fear that she might be seen before she could get away from her hiding
+place and rush home.
+
+She was a bit cramped with her crouching pose behind the wall. Slowly
+she arose to her feet, glided along upon the grass, lest her footsteps
+should be heard, and, once in the grove, she sprang across the brook,
+dashed through the fields, up the path, and into the kitchen door, where
+she dropped upon a chair and tried to speak.
+
+"Why, Randy Weston! whatever ails ye? Ye look 's if ye'd seen a ghost.
+Why, father," as the girl did not speak, "jest come look at Randy. She's
+been runnin' 'til she's clean tuckered out, 'n' can't seem to speak."
+
+Mr. Weston came hastening in from the well with a pail of water, which
+he set down when he saw Randy.
+
+"Why, Randy, child, what--"
+
+"Oh, father,--the little rocky field behind the barn,--don't sell it,
+don't swap it; the railroad's going through it; and oh, father, that's
+why Jason Meade wants to make you swap it. It's going to be worth lots
+and lots of money; he can't _make_ you swap it, can he, father?" and in
+her anxiety she sprang up and put her hands upon her father's shoulders.
+
+"There, there, Randy, you've done your father a good turn this time,
+sure enough, ef it's true. Sit down and tell me where ye heard all
+this."
+
+So Randy, having regained her breath, told her anxious listeners the
+tale, beginning with her intended call upon Miss Dayton; how she
+strolled through the grove and across the brook, and sat down to rest
+upon the big stone by the wall, with the great alders behind her; how
+she had, at first sound of the voices, tried not to listen, and, on
+hearing an unfriendly voice mention her father's name, she had, although
+afraid of detection, crept close to the wall, to hear if the men really
+meant to harm him.
+
+Then she had told all that she had heard, word for word, finishing with,
+"And, father, he _can't_ make you swap, can he? he seemed so
+determined."
+
+Then Mr. Weston did a very unusual thing. Putting his arm around Randy,
+he drew her down upon his knee, where she had not sat since she was a
+little girl like Prue, and as he looked at her, with just a suspicion of
+moisture in his kind, blue eyes, he said, "Mother, we've got a girl to
+be proud of."
+
+"And to be thankful for," said Mrs. Weston.
+
+"Amen!" said Randy's father, and he added, "Always be as brave and quick
+to do what's right, Randy, as you have been to-day, even forgetting your
+own pleasure, and I will trust you anywhere."
+
+Here little Prue, who had been awed into silence by the earnestness of
+the conversation, found her tongue once more, and piped in with, "Why,
+pa, my big sister Randy's been good again. How can she be always good?"
+
+They all laughed, and Randy, catching little Prue and giving her a tight
+hug, said: "I know who's got the best little sister in all the world. I
+have, just as sure as your name is Prudence."
+
+"I like you to love me lots, Randy dear, but don't you call me anything
+but Prue. 'Prudence' makes me think of Aunt Prudence, and she looked all
+so," and here Prue drew down her wee mouth, and puckered up her fair
+little forehead and brows into such a scowling imitation of Aunt
+Prudence, that even her father, who did not at all approve, could not
+help smiling at the dimpled copy of that lady's unpleasant face.
+
+Soon Mrs. Weston had tea ready, and the family had but just finished the
+evening meal when a loud tap at the door announced some neighbor's
+arrival. Mr. Weston looked at his wife, with a twinkle in his eye, as he
+arose to answer the knock.
+
+"Well, well, Jason, come in, come in!" Thus Mr. Weston welcomed his
+crafty neighbor.
+
+"How are ye, Square Weston? I thought I'd jist drop in an' see if you'd
+made up yer mind about that piece er land er mine."
+
+"Well, yes, I hev," said Mr. Weston, looking his neighbor squarely in
+the face; "I told ye, a month ago, I'd give ye two hundred dollars in
+cash fer that big medder of yourn."
+
+"I know it, I know you did; but the thing is, I've took a reel fancy to
+that little rocky pasture er yourn, and I feel 's if I'd lots rather
+have it, little as it is, than the cash, 'f you'll believe me."
+
+Jason Meade sat back in his chair with the bland air of a man who had
+done a good deed in praising his neighbor's property.
+
+Mrs. Weston came out of the closet where she had been placing the dishes
+and stood by her husband's chair, anxiously awaiting his answer. She
+knew his generous nature, but she believed that this time he would be
+firm.
+
+Randy, who after tea had taken the fairy book to the table to read, now
+leaned forward with parted lips.
+
+Slowly Mr. Weston turned toward his neighbor, and a faint smile played
+about his lips as he said, "I'll tell ye, Jason, I jist thought that
+while it ain't so very val'able now, I've 'bout decided to keep it, for
+when the railroad comes clean through it, I'm thinkin' I'll be reel
+pleased to think it's my property."
+
+Jason Meade's mouth opened to its widest extent, and to say that he was
+amazed, astonished, or surprised, would be expressing it very mildly
+indeed. He cleared his throat and blinked once or twice, then, as no
+suitable remark seemed to suggest itself he arose, and pushing back his
+chair, he said "he'd reely have to go as he'd got an arrant to do at
+Mrs. Gray's." He sheepishly made his way toward the door, and mumbling
+something about the weather, he dejectedly stalked out with the air of a
+disappointed man.
+
+"Why, father," said Randy, "he didn't even ask you how you knew about
+the railroad."
+
+Mr. Weston laughed as he said: "I guess he didn't care how I knew. That
+I knew at all was what worried him."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII--TABLEAUX
+
+
+One morning Miss Dayton sent a little hastily written note to Mrs.
+Weston, saying that she was planning another entertainment which she
+believed would be as enjoyable as the picnic had been, and asking if
+Randy might come over and help her make some preparations for the event.
+
+Mrs. Weston read the note, then re-read it to Randy.
+
+"Oh, may I go, could you spare me?" said Randy, eagerly.
+
+"Why, yes indeed," said her mother; "there is less than usual to do
+to-day, and nothing at all after dinner. Fly 'round and get cleared up,
+and you can put on your clean red and white gingham and your new hat and
+go over early."
+
+"Fly 'round!" Randy did fly, and by two o'clock she was off down the
+road, walking as fast as her feet and her enthusiasm would take her.
+
+What could Miss Dayton be planning, thought Randy, as she hastened
+toward the farm-house where Helen was staying.
+
+Helen saw her coming and opened the door, smiling at Randy's questioning
+face, which expressed a world of interest in Helen's scheme, whatever it
+might be.
+
+"Come right in, take off your hat, and sit down and I will tell you all
+about my plan for an evening's pleasure. You know I promised when I
+first met you that I would try to make this summer just a bit gay during
+my stay here. Now I believe we shall all enjoy an evening of tableaux,"
+but here Helen was obliged to pause and explain just what tableaux were,
+"and," she continued, "I think that any one of the large girls who
+attended the picnic, and a few of the little ones, will make a very nice
+set of pictures."
+
+"Oh, I should think it would be lovely, but," Randy added doubtfully,
+"what could we wear that would be nice enough for pictures or tab--"
+
+"Tableaux," said Helen.
+
+"Yes, tableaux," said Randy.
+
+"I will agree to furnish the costumes," said Miss Dayton; "they will not
+have to be very fine to look extremely pretty in the frame. Mr. Gray has
+made me a fine frame which you and I will cover with evergreen. Then
+Mrs. Gray has two bracket lamps which we will fasten to the back of the
+frame to light up the pictures, and I have a lot of odds and ends of
+pretty things in my trunks which will be sufficiently bright and gay for
+costumes. Now let us go at once to the barn and decorate the frame."
+
+Mr. Gray's man, Roger, had just brought in an immense load of evergreen.
+Randy was all eagerness to help, and together they worked all the
+afternoon.
+
+When she left for home the frame was thickly covered. There was
+evergreen and asparagus over the pictures in the "best room" where they
+were to exhibit to the townspeople their tableaux, and Randy had seen
+her costume which Helen had designed.
+
+Miss Dayton was an ardent admirer of Greuze, and she possessed many
+photographic reproductions of his paintings. She also owned a number of
+photographs of Sir Joshua Reynold's portraits of beautiful women and
+children, and knowing the bareness of the walls in the average New
+England farm-house, she had brought these pictures with her to decorate
+her room during her stay. She intended to copy these beautiful pictures
+in the list of tableaux which she arranged.
+
+Randy was spellbound when she saw the photographs. "Oh, Miss Dayton,"
+cried she, "do you really think any of us will do?"
+
+"Why, yes indeed," laughed Helen, "I have you all selected now. You are
+to be the girl with the broken pitcher in the painting by Greuze. Would
+you like to see your costume?"
+
+"I guess I should like to," answered Randy, excitedly clapping her
+hands; so Helen showed her a waist with large, loose sleeves, a kerchief
+or scarf, and a wide ribbon "to tie up her bonny brown hair."
+
+Randy went home in a fever of excitement. Think of a girl of fifteen who
+had never witnessed an entertainment of any kind, and you will
+understand with what delight she looked forward to an evening of
+tableaux in which she would take part.
+
+Miss Dayton called upon those girls who she thought would like to pose
+for the tableaux, and every one was invited to be present.
+
+The girls, both large and small, were delighted, and their elders were
+quite as pleased with the promise of an evening's enjoyment, and every
+invitation was enthusiastically accepted. Mrs. Gray's attic proved a
+perfect treasure room. She generously offered the contents of all the
+old trunks to Helen, saying, "If you see anything which you can make use
+of, I shall be truly glad." Mrs. Gray had been a city girl, and had
+spent the greater part of her married life there, and she brought to the
+farm-house many trunks containing faded finery, which, while far too
+good to be thrown away, were of but little use in that small country
+town. Helen chose those things which she could best utilize and carried
+them down to the front room, where she deposited them behind an
+improvised screen.
+
+Randy thought the evening would never come; so did little Prue, for she,
+too, was to be one of the "tab things," as she called them. She could
+not remember the word "tableaux."
+
+But the evening did arrive, and with it all the girls whom Helen had
+drilled for the proper posing, all of the boys who were curious to see
+the girls "fixed up for pictures," as Reuben Jenks had expressed it, and
+all of the farmers and their wives, who were nearly as excited as the
+young people.
+
+Mrs. Gray and Helen received the friends and neighbors as they arrived,
+showing them the photographs on the walls and telling them that the
+girls, correctly dressed, would look very much like pictures when seen
+in the frame.
+
+The frame was in place with a dark background behind it, and stretching
+from either side of the frame to the side walls of the room were some
+old brocatelle curtains which Helen had found in Mrs. Gray's attic.
+These curtained spaces served as dressing rooms.
+
+Besides the tableaux Helen had planned quite a little programme, and
+although much drilling had been necessary, each performer was perfect in
+her part.
+
+Jotham Potts had, after much urging, agreed to read the programme, and
+Helen had promised to contribute a song, and a piano solo which should
+be the opening number.
+
+The hum of conversation rose loud and cheery, and so lively did it
+become that it was impossible to hear a completed sentence.
+
+"They say your Phoebe's goin' to be a dreadful pretty picture to-night."
+
+"What's she goin' to--"
+
+"Wal', I dunno, seems Miss Dayton thinks our Jotham has a good voice, so
+she asked him to read the--I forgit what you call it, but anyhow I
+guess--"
+
+"Yes, Miss Dayton says my hair is auburn and not red, and she says--"
+
+"Why, ef here isn't Mis' Weston's little Prue!"
+
+"Yes'm, I'm going to be one of the tab things, and sing a little tune
+what Miss Dayton learned--no, taught me," said the little girl, very
+proud to think that she had remembered the correction.
+
+"Well, I think she's real nice to come up here and plan such good
+times," but here Helen tapped upon the piano, and the conversation
+ceased so abruptly that one might think that the audience held its
+breath.
+
+The girls rushed behind the curtains on either side of the frame, and
+Jotham Potts, clearing his throat, read the first number for the
+evening.
+
+Helen had drilled him in pronouncing those names which he found
+difficult, and very clearly he read,--
+
+"Our first number will be a piano solo by Miss Dayton, entitled, 'Marche
+Militaire.'"
+
+Mr. Potts nudged his wife, saying, in a loud whisper, "Our Jotham did
+that just like a city feller, didn't he?" His wife ejaculated "Sh--," but
+she smiled and nodded, for she was of the same opinion.
+
+Helen in her white muslin looked very beautiful, as she took her seat at
+the piano. That piano was the only one in town, and the only one that
+many of the audience had ever heard. Helen was a good musician, and the
+piece, grand in itself, rang out brilliantly, to the great delight of
+every one present, and many were the words of praise which reached her
+ears when she arose. One voice, bolder than the others, said, "That's
+what I call great; just one more piece, Miss Dayton, ef it ain't asking
+too much."
+
+This was an honest if unceremonious encore, so Helen seated herself once
+more, and for those simple country people played a brilliant polacca.
+
+"Wal', 'twas all I could do to keep from dancin', I dew declare," said
+old Deacon Turnbull, which made every one laugh, as the deacon was a
+very dignified old man.
+
+Helen rose and saying, "Now, Jotham," she stepped behind the curtains.
+"Our next number," announced Jotham, "will be a tableau as nearly as
+possible like the painting entitled 'The Age of Innocence.'"
+
+"That's it over there," said Mrs. Buffum to her husband, pointing at the
+photograph on the wall, and every one looked that way. When the curtain
+was drawn aside, there was chubby little Hitty Buffum, her hands clasped
+upon her breast, a wee bit of a smile on her parted lips--a very good
+counterpart of Sir Joshua Reynolds's picture.
+
+"Oh! oh my! She looks just like it. Isn't she cunnin'?" and similar
+remarks greeted the little girl in the first tableau. She had done her
+very best for Miss Dayton. Then the curtain swung across the frame and
+Jotham announced, "The next number will be a song by little Miss
+Weston."
+
+"I didn't know as the Weston children could sing, did you?" queried one
+neighbor, but there was no time for an answer, for little Prue had taken
+her place on the improvised platform, and Helen was playing a little
+prelude.
+
+Mrs. Weston laid her hand upon her husband's arm. Would Prue, her little
+Prue, get through the song without faltering? She need not have feared.
+Out rang the childish treble in the song which Miss Dayton had taught
+her. How fresh and clear the little voice sounded!
+
+  "Sometimes I am a daisy bloom,
+  I make believe 'tis true,
+  I play that all I ever eat
+  Is early morning dew.
+
+  "Sometimes I am a butterfly,--
+  Just see my gauzy wings!
+  Sometimes I play I am a bird,
+  Who only sits and sings.
+
+  "But always I am mama's girl,
+  And papa's girlie, too,
+  And next to them I love the best,
+  I love each one of you."
+
+Putting up her dimpled hands she daintily kissed her finger tips, made a
+very cunning little bow, and tripped back to Miss Dayton, saying, "Did I
+do it nice?"
+
+"Just splendid, little Prue," said Jotham.
+
+"Couldn't have been better," said old Mrs. Green.
+
+Then Prue crept up on her father's lap to see "all the other tabs," she
+said.
+
+"The 'Chapeau Blanc,' which Miss Dayton says means the White Hat,"
+announced Jotham. This time the curtain swept aside to disclose Phoebe
+Small's little face beneath a hat with white gauzy ruffles upon the
+brim, and a feather held in place by a knot of blue ribbon. A pearly
+kerchief about the shoulders was most becoming to Phoebe, whose usually
+expressionless face looked almost piquant under the saucy white hat and
+feather.
+
+"Don't she look like a photograph?" whispered Mrs. Small, "and a good
+deal nicer, if I do say it as shouldn't," and Mrs. Small looked around
+with a sniff at those present who possibly thought their daughters
+prettier.
+
+Now, Phoebe's principal defects were an abundance of freckles, and an
+absence of character in her small face; but the costume was becoming,
+and the freckles not apparent in the light in which she was posed; so
+her heart was delighted with words of commendation, and she hoped that
+Jotham Potts had seen her tableau.
+
+As a matter of fact, Jotham had not seen her; for, having announced that
+number, he had sat down and waited for Miss Dayton to appear. The next
+number on the programme was his, and now Helen stepped from behind the
+curtain to announce it.
+
+"We will now listen to a solo by Jotham Potts."
+
+"Oh! oo! oo! Does your Jotham sing?" asked Mrs. Brimblecom of Mrs.
+Potts.
+
+"Why, no; leastways I never heard him," said Jotham's mother, with a
+twinkle in her eyes, for did she not know of Jotham's evenings spent in
+practising this very solo with Miss Dayton's accompaniment?
+
+Randy had said one day to Helen, "You'd ought to hear Jotham Potts
+whistle. He does it just splendid. It sounds just like the brook
+rippling."
+
+When Helen made her plans for the entertainment, she invited him to give
+a whistling solo.
+
+"Oh, I'd do anything to 'blige you, Miss Dayton, but who'd want to hear
+me whistle?" said Jotham.
+
+Then Helen told the boy how many people gave whistling solos in the
+city, with a piano accompaniment, and Jotham consented to "jest try it"
+with the piano.
+
+After announcing the number, Helen seated herself, and played a pretty
+little prelude, and then Jotham commenced to whistle a simple piece
+which Helen played, called "The Alpine Echo," in which there was an
+imitation of an Alpine horn, followed by echoing notes an octave higher.
+
+Jotham was, indeed, a charming whistler, and as his courage rose, his
+notes sounded true and flutelike, making the song and echoes, the piano
+ever aiding him, until with a final thrill and flourish he finished his
+solo, and, blushing and bowing, retired.
+
+The little assembly was much excited and there were repeated calls for
+one more whistling solo, and cries of "fine," and "that beats all," and
+"whistle just once more, Jotham." So Helen resumed her seat at the
+piano, and this time Jotham whistled a medley in which were heard "The
+Girl I Left Behind Me," "Yankee Doodle," and "The Star-Spangled Banner."
+
+[Illustration: "There stood Randy as the Demure little Maid"]
+
+"Hooray for Jotham and Miss Dayton, I say!" shouted Reuben Jenks, and
+everybody cheered.
+
+Jotham was very happy over his musical success, and with a beaming face
+he announced, "Our next tableau is a copy of the large photograph on the
+right wall called 'The Broken Pitcher,' by Greuze."
+
+This time the curtain drew aside and there stood Randy, sweet Randy, as
+the demure little maid with the broken pitcher hanging to her wrist, her
+beautiful hair loosely bound, and her large gray eyes looking out at one
+for all the world like the Greuze model.
+
+"Isn't she lovely, mother?" said Jotham, who had stolen out in front of
+the frame in order to make sure of seeing this tableau.
+
+"Well, I must say, she is," said Mrs. Potts. "She's always a pretty
+girl, but I do declare to-night she's nothin' short of handsome."
+
+"So I say," said Jotham, and even Randy's parents were surprised at her
+beauty. The tableau was recalled, and this time Randy blushed most
+becomingly because of the encore.
+
+"Oh, do see my Randy!" called little Prue, who had been nodding when the
+tableau was first shown, and awoke with a start to see her dear Randy
+looking out from the frame.
+
+"The next number will be a solo by Katie Buffum." Immediately wee Katie
+was in position. She was not diffident in the least, and clasping her
+chubby hands she at once piped up with cheery voice:--
+
+  "Once there was a little mouse
+  No bigger than my fumb;
+  He crept into my pocket,
+  Where he hunted for a crumb.
+
+  "I put my finger in there,
+  Just to see what there was in it;
+  But the little mouse was naughty,
+  And he bit me in a minute."
+
+This solo, so cunningly sung by the pudgy little mite, "brought down the
+house," and little Katie and her family were delighted with the praise
+which she received. Still the little girl stood upon the platform until
+the audience began to think that she wished to sing another verse.
+
+"Go on, Katie," called her brother Jack, "what yer waiting for?"
+
+"I forgot somefin and I dunno what. Oh, yes, I do. It's dis," and,
+making a comical little bow, this very conscientious little soloist left
+the platform, feeling that now her performance was complete.
+
+Every one laughed and gave Katie more praise, and she curled up in her
+mother's lap, feeling her wee self to be a very successful singer.
+
+"We will now look at a tableau called 'Titian's Daughter,'" announced
+Jotham.
+
+Away flew the curtain and Jemima Babson stood in the fine pose, copying
+to perfection the engraving of that subject. Jemima was resplendent.
+
+"Oh! oh!" ejaculated every one. A glint of bright light shone in her
+eyes. She had liked that picture better than any which Miss Dayton had
+shown the girls when they had called for the first rehearsal, and was
+delighted when Helen chose it for her tableau.
+
+Next came her sister Belinda as the "Magdalene." Belinda always wore her
+yellow hair in braids, but to-night it shone like rippling gold over her
+shoulders. With her blue eyes uplifted, and the shimmering mass of
+yellow hair, who could believe that the "Magdalene" was Belinda Babson,
+the girl who climbed every apple tree in her father's orchard, and
+laughed at chance passers-by from the highest branches.
+
+"A solo by Miss Dayton will close the entertainment."
+
+Helen had sung at church with the congregation, but until to-night no
+one, not even Randy, had heard her sing a solo.
+
+Ah, how sweet and clear sounded her voice as, looking across at old
+Sandy McLeod, she sang "The Bluebells of Scotland."
+
+The proverbial pin could have been heard had it been dropped. As the
+last notes ceased, old Sandy arose, and, stoutly thumping on the floor
+with his cane, shouted, "Well, noo, that's bonny, say I, Sandy McLeod."
+
+"That's so," said little Reuben Jenks, under his breath, for he sat
+quite near old Sandy and was a bit afraid of him. The old Scotchman
+owned a large farm on the outskirts of the town and was reported to have
+a deal of money, which most people said he never spent. He lived alone
+and was said to be rather crusty.
+
+One day, when out for a walk, Helen, in passing his door, saw old Sandy
+sitting on his door-stone, trying to thread a needle. Helen paused for a
+moment, saying kindly, "Please let me thread it for you."
+
+The old man scowled and hesitated, then surrendered the needle. Helen
+threaded it; then, after a few pleasant words, resumed her walk.
+
+The old fellow mumbled something, possibly thanks, and ever after that
+morning pulled off his cap to Helen when he met her.
+
+Mrs. Gray laughed when Helen said she intended to invite him to the
+entertainment, saying that he would never come. He came, however, very
+promptly, and it was for him she sang the old Scotch ballad.
+
+"Now," said Helen, "let us all sing, 'Should Auld Acquaintance be
+Forgot,'" and with a will they sang it, old Sandy joining in the chorus.
+
+It was now quite late, but good old Parson Spooner rose and proposed
+three cheers for the young lady who had planned such a beautiful
+entertainment. They were given heartily, and then every one crowded
+around Helen to clasp her hand and thank her again, and of all the merry
+party no one was happier than she.
+
+Turning to Mrs. Gray, after the last guest had departed, Helen said, "I
+have often helped to entertain, with some success, but in the city one
+does not always feel the thanks so enthusiastically expressed to be
+sincere, but who could doubt the genuineness of the kind words spoken
+to-night?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX--CALLERS
+
+
+"Randy, wake up!"
+
+"Yes, oh yes, in a minute," Randy answered, drowsily.
+
+"No, now, Randy, wake up now! I want to talk about those tab things what
+we had last night," and two little soft arms wound their way about
+sleepy Randy's neck.
+
+Randy rubbed her eyes, laughing as she said, "Do call them tableaux,
+Prue, can't you remember that? Tableaux, Prue, say so."
+
+"Tabby-lows!" shouted Prue. "How's that?"
+
+"Better," said Randy, still laughing.
+
+"Well, whatever you call 'em, yours was the prettiest, Randy dear, the
+very prettiest, and Jotham said so, too, so of course it's true," said
+little Prue, who had been sitting up in bed in order to see her sister's
+face when she repeated the compliment.
+
+"Now, Prue," said Randy, "did he say that because you asked him?"
+
+"Why, no," said the child, whose smiling face now assumed an injured
+expression. "He didn't say it to me 'tall. He said it to his mother; I
+heard him, and she said she thought so, too, I heard her; she sat just
+behind us. Now, Randy Weston, I thought it was real nice to tell you,
+and that's what I waked you up for."
+
+"It's all very nice," Randy answered, "that you liked my picture best;
+and do you know, little sister, I would rather have you pleased than
+almost any one, next to father and mother."
+
+"Why?" questioned the little girl, in genuine surprise.
+
+"Because," said her sister, "you're a little girl who means just what
+she says."
+
+"Yes, I do mean it, Randy dear; you did look just the best of any one,
+but you'd ought to seen Jotham," she continued, "he meant it, too. He
+meant it just _tremenjous_!"
+
+"Well, Jotham's kind, too," said Randy; then, with a happy little sigh,
+she turned a smiling face to little Prue as she said, "'most every one's
+good, I do believe."
+
+"Not near as good as you, Randy," said Prue, thoughtfully; but, she
+added, brightening, "I mean to be good all day, 'cause why do you
+s'pose, Randy? 'Cause I had such a good time last night."
+
+"That's a good reason," said Randy. Soon Randy proposed dressing, and at
+the breakfast table Prue resumed the conversation with which she had
+awakened Randy.
+
+All agreed that it had been just a lovely evening, but the little girl
+was not quite satisfied.
+
+"Well, now, we did have a splendid time," said she, "but I want you to
+say my Randy was just the best of all."
+
+"Why, of course, we say so," said her father, laughing; "but who sang a
+nice little song?"
+
+"Oh, I 'most forgot, I sang a little tune and so did Katie Buffum."
+
+"So you did, so you did," said her father, "and your mother and I
+thought you little girls did your parts well."
+
+"I think they all did wonderful," said Mrs. Weston. "I was jest proud of
+my girls, and my neighbors' children, too. I do declare, I believe Miss
+Dayton can do anything. Last evening jest did me good. Well, this won't
+do for me," she added, "there's a sight to do to-day."
+
+"We'll help," said Randy and Prue together.
+
+"I guess I'll have to have you help me, Randy, if you're a mind to."
+
+"Me too, me too," cried Prue.
+
+So Randy filled a large pan with hot water and Prue armed herself with a
+long towel, and the two commenced work as if their lives depended upon
+it.
+
+Mrs. Weston was an energetic woman and soon her pies were made and
+baked, and standing to cool upon the table. The children had worked
+bravely all the forenoon, Randy doing a great deal to be helpful, and
+Prue assisting in many small things. Randy was just thinking that she
+would surely scorch if she remained in the hot kitchen another minute,
+when such an interesting thing happened.
+
+Up the well-trodden path to the kitchen door came Mrs. Hodgkins, "the
+best woman in town and the newsiest," as Silas Barnes had described her.
+
+The children were always delighted to see her coming, as a call from
+Mrs. Hodgkins meant numberless scraps of gossip, and in a small country
+town where neighbors are few and far between, anything in the shape of
+news is welcome.
+
+Laboriously the good woman stepped from door-stone to threshold, and
+voluminously filling the wooden rocker which Mrs. Weston offered her,
+she fanned herself with her handkerchief, ejaculating between gasps for
+breath, "Lor' me! How hot it is! Ef I ever get my breath again, I'll try
+ter talk a spell." But it would have been something greater than
+shortness of breath that could have completely silenced Mrs. Hodgkins. A
+few energetic movements of the palm-leaf fan which Randy offered her, a
+few moments of jerky rocking in the old wooden rocker, and she was ready
+to begin.
+
+"Well there, Mis' Weston, I b'lieve I can talk now," said she. "Joel was
+goin' over to the barn raisin', an' I told him I didn't care nothin'
+'bout seein' it; but ef he'd a mind to drive me as fur as your house,
+I'd call in an' look at yer a spell, 'n' I can't spare the time to talk
+'n' not do somethin' at the same time," and she drew from a capacious
+bag an old woollen stocking, saying, "I thought I'd bring my knittin'
+along and p'haps git this stockin' footed down while I was talkin'."
+
+"Why, that's a woollen stocking," said little Prue.
+
+"Lor' yes, child, it's one of Joel's winter stockin's. I was up attic
+yesterday huntin' over my rag bag, 'n' I came across a lot of his old
+winter stockin's that I'd 'bout decided to throw away, 'n' I says to
+myself, 'Sophrony Hodgkins, that's downright wasteful,' 'n' I've just
+set myself a task to foot 'em down 'fore winter." Her needles clicked
+furiously, and she knit around several times before she spoke again.
+With her brows contracted she worked until she felt sure that her
+knitting was "straightened out," then she paused for a chat.
+
+"Did you know," she commenced, "that Phoebe Small was a beggin' an' a
+teasin' her pa to send her to boardin' school? Well, she is, 'n' none of
+the girls could find out what put it in her head ter want ter go 'til
+Jemima Babson teased it out of her. Seems at the picnic Miss Dayton, in
+some story she was tellin' the children, let out that she went away from
+home ter school, 'n' Phoebe got the idee that ter go away ter school
+would jest be the makin' of her. Jemima don't care what she says, an'
+she up an' told Phoebe that it 'would take more 'n boardin' school to
+make her as sweet as Miss Dayton,' all of which was true, but not ter
+Phoebe's likin'."
+
+"_Is_ she going to boarding school?" asked Randy.
+
+"Land, no! Her ma told her to wait 'til she'd learned all there was ter
+learn at our deestric' school 'fore she talked 'bout goin' anywhere
+else; and that 'bout finished it."
+
+Here Mrs. Hodgkins, who had said all this without stopping, paused to
+take breath. "I shouldn't like my girls to be away at boardin' school,"
+said Mrs. Weston, "and I think Mrs. Small would feel 'bout as I do."
+
+"An' there's Mrs. Buffum," continued Mrs. Hodgkins, "with all her
+children, 'n' she says they've got to be where she can see ter them, an'
+git their larnin' ter home, and now I'll tell yer the joke. It seems
+Miss Dayton laughed when she heard about it, for she wasn't at boardin'
+school at all; she was at school, and was boardin' at a big hotel with
+her aunt, 'n' the hotel was near the school. But there, ye know Phoebe
+Small never gits anything more 'n half right.
+
+"But I'll tell ye somethin' worth tellin'. Old Sandy McLeod's comin' to
+meetin'!"
+
+"You don't say!" ejaculated Mrs. Weston, lifting her hands, and letting
+them fall upon her lap, thereby showing the surprise which Mrs. Hodgkins
+thought this piece of news deserved.
+
+"Well, you see, it was this way," continued the bearer of this pleasant
+bit of gossip; "it commenced with Miss Dayton's doin' a few little
+things fer him. Nobody b'lieved fer a minute that he'd come to Mrs.
+Gray's, to the entertainment; but Miss Dayton asked him in her pretty
+way, and he hadn't the heart ter refuse ter come, 'n' he had such a nice
+evenin', and heard her sing that Scotch song, and all, 'n' he says now
+he's made a great mistake stayin' off by himself so long. An' he's been
+to Parson Spooner and, ef you'll believe it, hired a whole pew, sayin'
+he could well afford to; en' he says that as there's only one in his
+family, any one that wants ter can sit in his pew, any time.
+
+"He says he always went ter church, though he calls it 'kirk,' or
+something like that, when he was a young man and lived in Scotland; an'
+he says, rain or shine, we'll see him in his place every Sunday, after
+this. When somebody asked him what made him think of goin' ter church
+again, he drew that great rough hand of his across his eyes, and jist
+said, 'It's all the doin' of that lass,' meanin' Miss Dayton. And let me
+tell yer somethin' queerer than that! Did ye notice old Nathan Lawton
+the other night?
+
+"My! how his eyes twinkled when the children were singin'. Ye know he's
+dreadful fond of children; but ye know, too, ef ye know anything, that
+he's tighter 'n the bark of a tree. Well, Miss Dayton heard say what a
+bad room fer heatin' that schoolroom was, and how the little buildin'
+was kind er fer off fer most of the children.
+
+"Wal', after we'd seen all the pictures, or what yer call 'ems, and
+she'd sung her song so sweetly, old Nathan spoke ter her, an' thanked
+her for the pleasant evenin', sayin' he'd do most anythin' ter obleege
+her, in return, as ye might say, fer his enjoyment; and I had ter laugh
+softly ter myself when she put her little white hand on his arm and said
+she thought nothin' would please her so much as ter think, when she went
+home, that the children here would start ter school in a comfortable,
+warm room, 'specially ef it could be one that was handy for them all;
+and she asked him, as one of the see-lect-men, ter manage it some way.
+
+"He just took one look at the smilin' face lookin' up at him, and then
+and there offered the use of that front room of his'n, and promised ter
+keep it roastin' warm all winter, from his own woodpile. His house is
+just about the handiest ter every one of any house in town, and I do say
+that was a han'some offer.
+
+"Any other folks might have asked him 'til they got tired askin'; but he
+couldn't refuse her, 'n' I don't wonder. She's just done us a world of
+good this summer, 'n' in such an easy, pretty way that we've just
+enjoyed it.
+
+"And now I've come ter what fetched me here ter day. Mrs. Gray said ter
+me that Miss Dayton never went to an apple-bee; and I was thinkin' she
+got up that picnic, and that splendid evenin' with the music,"--"and tab
+things," said Prue,--"an' I've been thinkin' it's 'bout time we got up
+somethin' fer her," said good Mrs. Hodgkins, and she beamed upon Mrs.
+Weston and Randy as she waited for their approval.
+
+"I think so too," said Randy and her mother together; "but do you think
+that she would enjoy an apple-bee?"
+
+"Well, we couldn't get up anything fine," said Mrs. Hodgkins; "but they
+do say that our apple-bees are 'bout the best that they have anywhere
+'round here."
+
+Mrs. Weston thought a moment, then said: "Our house is the biggest in
+the neighborhood, an' Miss Dayton has been so kind to Randy and Prue
+that I'll say we'll have the apple-bee here, and I think we'll try extry
+hard to make it a pleasant one. I'm real glad you thought of it, Mrs.
+Hodgkins. I think we'll all enjoy it, an' if Miss Dayton does, that's
+all we'll ask for."
+
+"Well, ef here ain't Joel," said Mrs. Hodgkins, "an' I'll have ter be
+goin'; but I'll come over an' help ye git ready for the apple-bee, so
+good-by 'til I see ye again," and she hastily took her departure,
+puffing down the walk like a small engine, and clambering into the wagon
+beside her husband. "Good-by, I'll be over ter help ye," she cried,
+looking back; then they jogged off down the road.
+
+Randy and her mother turned from the doorway and walked back into the
+kitchen. "Look at that clock, Randy!" exclaimed Mrs. Weston; "I guess
+it'll be a funny dinner to-day," and she commenced to make hasty
+preparations for the noon meal.
+
+Mr. Weston laughed good-naturedly when he heard of the forenoon caller,
+and in consequence the "picked-up dinner." "Lots of folks haven't as
+good a dinner as this, mother," said he, "and I must say, I'm glad she
+came in ter talk ter ye and so make ye stop workin' a spell. Where is
+Prue?"
+
+Sure enough, the little girl who was always eager to tell a part of any
+happening was, for once, not in evidence. So busy had Randy and her
+mother been, preparing the dinner, that Prue had not been missed.
+
+"She went out when Mrs. Hodgkins went, don't you remember, mother?" said
+Randy. "She ran down the path, waving her hand and saying good-by when
+they drove away."
+
+"Well, Randy, run out and find her, and tell her ter come in ter dinner.
+Dear me! I hope she hasn't got inter some scrape. She's been out of
+sight long enough fer anything." Out rushed Randy, calling loudly,
+"Prue! Prue! where are you?"
+
+"I'm right here, and I'm very busy," came an answering shout from behind
+the house.
+
+Around the house ran Randy, and such a funny sight she saw!
+
+"Why, Prue Weston, you naughty girl!" said Randy in dismay.
+
+"I ain't naughty," said the child.
+
+"You are, too," responded Randy, "to plague kitty like that. You just
+take her out of that rain-water tub this minute! If she wasn't the best
+old cat in the world, she would have scratched you well for ducking her
+like that."
+
+Prue tried to lift pussy out, and Randy ran to help her.
+
+Poor pussy! If Randy had been a few minutes later, she must surely have
+been drowned, for, just as Randy arrived, Prue was holding Tabby's head
+under water "to let it soak," she said.
+
+"What ever made you do such a thing?" questioned Randy, when the cat was
+once more on dry land; "don't you know that in a few minutes more you
+would have drowned her?"
+
+"Drowned!" said Prue in a horrified whisper, "drowned, did you say,
+Randy?"
+
+"Why, of course," said Randy, impatiently; "don't you _know_ she'd drown
+with her head under water?"
+
+"Why, Randy, that's awful!" said Prue. "I didn't mean to hurt Tabby. I
+only meant to help her. She comed down from the field what's been burned
+over, and she was all smutty, and I thought I'd give her a good washing;
+so I put her in the tub, but the smut sticked awful, and I thought I'd
+soak her and p'rhaps she'd wash easier; and, Randy, whatever you say,
+she _isn't_ drowned one mite. Just see her washing herself dry in the
+sun."
+
+"Oh, Prue, Prue!" said Randy, "what shall I do with you? You do the
+queerest things! Go tell Tabby you're sorry this minute. If kitty had
+died, just think how you'd felt."
+
+"Now, don't you make me cry, Randy," said Prue, "'cause you know I love
+Tabby, and I didn't mean to hurt her."
+
+The cat was an unusually placid animal, or she never would have
+permitted a little girl to do such a thing. Prue had always used her for
+a doll, dressing her up in all sorts of things, and sometimes dragging
+her about in a wooden box which she called a "carriage." This alleged
+vehicle was an old soap box, beautifully padded with a woollen shawl. It
+had neither wheels nor springs, and as little Prue dragged it along, it
+thumped over twigs and stones with the most surprising jolts. Pussy,
+however, seemed to have a species of lethargy, for she slept through it
+all; so Prue insisted that she liked the ride. The family declared the
+cat to be absolutely without vim; but that deficiency in her make-up
+made her a delightful plaything for Prue.
+
+After dinner Mrs. Weston talked long and seriously with her little
+daughter, telling her that as pussy was so gentle and willing to be
+played with, she ought to be very kind to her and never do anything that
+Tabby would not like.
+
+"But I wanted Tabby to be clean in time for the folks to see her when we
+have the apple-bee," said Prue.
+
+"Oh, she'll be clean as clean can be by that time," said her mother,
+smiling. "She'll have a whole week to wash in. I think that when you
+wish to do something to kitty different from what you've done before,
+you'd better come and ask me first."
+
+"I will," said the little girl, promptly, and Mrs. Weston knew that
+pussy was safe from any new torment, for Prue always kept her word, and
+she loved Tabby dearly.
+
+Early in the afternoon, as Mrs. Weston sat by the window mending,
+another wagon stopped at the door; and this time a tall, angular woman
+came up the path with nervous haste. The door was open, and without
+waiting to knock, the caller walked in and seated herself.
+
+"There, I guess you're s'prised to see me, Mis' Weston, but I jest had
+ter come."
+
+"Well, I am surprised," responded Mrs. Weston; "but I'm just as pleased
+ter see ye. Take off yer bunnit."
+
+"I'll take it off jest ter show it ter ye," said Mrs. Jenks. "I thought
+I'd had a change of heart years an' years ago, but I guess I've jest got
+it now."
+
+"Do tell! Why, Mrs. Jenks, how ye talk," and in blank amazement Mrs.
+Weston stopped mending, the stocking, however, still drawn over her
+hand.
+
+"Well, ye might as well stop mendin' an' listen, fer I've come ter tell
+ye quite a story. It all began with this bunnit. I stepped over ter Mis'
+Gray's one mornin' of an arrant, an' I chanced to say something about
+not havin' a decent bunnit fer Sunday, an' I said I had a bunnit I'd
+bought down ter Barnses and quite a lot of old ribbon that was plenty
+good enough to trim it with; but, says I, I've no more idee how to trim
+it than a cat. Miss Dayton was just comin' in the door with a lot of
+wild flowers and green stuff, and she offered, so sweetly, to call over
+in the afternoon and jest tack the ribbons on fer me that, some way, I
+had ter let her do it.
+
+"Well, she came over and I got out my ribbon--it was that I had on a blue
+dress of mine once--and she sat down to trim it. It took some time, and
+to this day I don't know how it came about, but the first thing I knew
+she was a-makin' me see how much better it was to give rather than
+receive. Now I've been pretty 'near' and savin', but I never meant ter
+be mean; but she led me to talk of the time when Reuben was little, and
+'fore I knew it I was tellin' that girl how I used to leave my work jist
+ter look at him in the old wooden cradle. I told her what I'd most
+forgot myself: how I could never let him lay there, but jest had ter
+take him up and hug him jest a minute an' then go on with my work. I've
+never meant ter be hard with the boy, but p'r'aps I forgit sometimes
+that he's pretty young still.
+
+"Well, Miss Dayton looked up from the bows she was makin' pretty, and
+says she, 'Reuben's a nice little fellow, and I think, if you were to
+try it, you'd find he liked petting still. I've talked with him many
+times since I've been here, and I find that his one idea seems to be to
+grow up as fast as possible so as to be able to help father and mother.'
+
+"I tell ye, Mis' Weston, I was all took back to find a sweet young girl
+who was 'most a stranger to us had learned my boy's good traits 'fore I
+had. Well, when Reuben came in jist 'fore supper-time with his jacket
+with a big tear in it, I was jist ready ter say somethin'. He took the
+jacket off and hung it on my chair ter be mended; and layin' his hand on
+my shoulder, he said, 'I wish I didn't get my things tore quite so
+often, mother, but this time I couldn't help it.'
+
+"It took lots er resolution, but I jest kissed him on his forehead, and
+the s'prised look on his face made me realize how long it had been sence
+I'd kissed him before.
+
+"'Reuben,' says I, 'no matter what I say when I speak hasty, just
+remember that yer mother thinks the world of ye!'
+
+"'F you'll believe me, that boy flew at me, and puttin' his arms round
+my neck he said, 'Why, mother, a minute ago I was awful sorry, and now
+I'm almost glad I tore my jacket.'
+
+"'So be I,' says I, and then we both laughed, but we were jest as near
+cryin', and I tell you, Mis' Weston, I ain't never goin' ter have such a
+distance, so to speak, between my boy and me as there has been; I guess
+we understand each other now."
+
+"Well, I don't know when I've heard any better news," said Mrs. Weston,
+taking off her glasses and slowly wiping them. "I think pretty well of
+little Reuben, and I b'lieve, properly encouraged, he'll make a good
+man."
+
+"Well, now, it beats all how Miss Dayton does things," said Mrs. Jenks.
+"Some folks would have blundered about it in a way that would have made
+me mad, but to this day, I do say, I don't know how she done it. And
+look at that bunnit," continued enthusiastic Mrs. Jenks, "didn't she
+make them bows pretty? I declare, there ain't a prettier bunnit in the
+meetin'-house than that."
+
+"'Tis pretty," assented Mrs. Weston; "just as pretty as it can be."
+
+"So I say," said Mrs. Jenks, "and now this mornin' I met Mis' Hodgkins
+and her husband. 'They'd just come from here,' they said, 'and,' says
+Mis' Hodgkins, 'we're goin' ter have the first apple-bee ter Mis'
+Weston's and,' says she, sorter smilin', 'I ain't sure's you'll be very
+anxious ter help, but we're all goin' ter do our part ter help make a
+grand time fer Miss Dayton;' and says I, 'If it's fer Miss Dayton, I'll
+agree to contribute anything you like toward the supper, and I'll go
+right over now an' tell Mis' Weston so.' My, but didn't she look at me!
+I laughed ter myself, an' I said right out loud, as I drove off,
+'Matilda Jenks, this is the last time any one will have a chance ter
+call ye stingy.'
+
+"I commenced this mornin' by givin' Reuben a lot of maple sugar to treat
+the boys with, and I tell you Miss Dayton's 'bout right, it does feel
+good to give. We've been prospered, and from this time forth I ain't
+goin' ter be foolish with this world's goods; but I _vow_ I won't be
+mean; so I've come ter say that if there's anythin' I can offer ter help
+make the bee a success, jest say the word an' you shall have it."
+
+"Mrs. Jenks," said Mrs. Weston, kindly, "I always said ye hadn't but one
+fault, and now you've overcome that, seems to me you're pretty near
+perfect."
+
+"I guess there's room fer improvement," said Mrs. Jenks, grasping her
+friend's extended hand, "but I've started in the right direction. Now, I
+must be goin', and remember I'll do anything ter help along that bee."
+
+Mrs. Weston promised to remember, and as rapidly as she came Matilda
+Jenks strode down the path and drove away.
+
+A few minutes later Randy came running in at the door. "Oh, mother,"
+said she, "I ran out to look for Prue again, while Mrs. Jenks was
+talking, and, mother, she's doing the cunningest thing. She's playing
+read. She's lying on the grass back of the house, with the fairy book in
+front of her. She's making b'lieve read to Tabby. Do come and see her."
+
+Softly they made their way around the house and, sure enough, there lay
+Prue, the wonderful fairy book before her, her elbows on the book, and
+her chin in her hands. Soon they were near enough to hear what she was
+reading, and yet not to be observed.
+
+[Illustration: Prue and Tabby reading the Fairy Book]
+
+"Now, Tabby," she was saying, "you _mustn't_ go to sleep when I'm
+reading to you. Now you listen: The princess--that's Miss Dayton,
+Tabby--is very beautiful, and so I know there must be a prince,
+somewhere, that she knows; 'cause, Tabby, in the fairy tales the
+princesses always has princes; and, Tabby, I'll tell you truly, Miss
+Dayton is prettier than any picture in this book. And, Tabby, she loves
+little girls and big girls, like my Randy, and she loves big womens and
+old womens and old mens, like Sandy McLeod; and, Tabby, I b'lieve, I
+most b'lieve she loves you, and I'm going to ask her.
+
+"She prob'ly does love you; she seems to love everybody. This isn't all
+in the book, Tabby, but what I tell you that isn't in the book is true.
+I'm most glad the fairy stories ain't true; for if things did happen
+like what's in the book, maybe you'd turn into a frog, and then, Tabby,
+I couldn't hug you."
+
+Here Tabby rubbed her head against Prue's little arm. "There," said the
+child, "you _knew_ what I said, didn't you?" and she sprang up, catching
+Tabby in her arms to "love her," as she called it.
+
+"Oh, did you hear me reading to my kitty?" shouted Prue, as she caught
+sight of her smiling audience.
+
+"We heard ye, and I guess some of it was full as pretty as what was in
+the book," said Mrs. Weston, and together the three wended their way
+back to the house, followed by Tabby.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X--THE APPLE-BEE
+
+
+The apple-bee was to occur on Thursday evening, and Mrs. Weston and
+Randy, with little Prue for "errand boy," had been busily employed in
+preparation for the delightful event. Prue made a fine little page, so
+delighted was she to be useful.
+
+"Bring me the yellow mixin' bowl, Prue," called Mrs. Weston. Into the
+closet darted Prue, and over to the table with the big bowl she
+hastened. "Now what shall I do to help the apple-bee?" said she.
+
+"Perhaps the apple-bee would like to have you pull all the stems off
+these raisins," said her mother, laughing. So Prue sat down upon the
+large braided rug near the door and began to stem the raisins with all
+her might. Soon Mrs. Hodgkins arrived and imperiously ordered her
+husband to "lug in that crock from the wagon."
+
+"For mercy's sake!" ejaculated Mrs. Weston, "whatever have you got
+there?" as, puffing and blowing, Joel Hodgkins landed an immense stone
+crock upon the kitchen table.
+
+"Well, I'll tell ye," said Mrs. Hodgkins; "I know this is no donation
+party, but I had this big crock er doughnuts, and I says, says I,
+'Somebody will eat 'em ef I take 'em over,' so here they be."
+
+"Sophrony wouldn't think she was takin' part in the bee if some of her
+prize doughnuts wasn't in the treat."
+
+Every one laughed at Joel Hodgkins's speech, and the doughnuts were very
+kindly received.
+
+"We all know that your doughnuts are the best in town," said Mrs.
+Weston, "and I guess everybody'll be glad to have one, I'm sure--" but
+the remark was left incomplete as she hastened to the door to admit Mrs.
+Jenks.
+
+"How are ye, Mrs. Weston? I had Reuben drive me over, and I've brought a
+lot of those big red apples, ef ye don't mind havin' 'em. Reuben an' I
+have rubbed and polished 'em 'til they shine like everything. I thought
+maybe they'd make the table look pretty," and she flushed as she offered
+this first contribution of her life.
+
+"They will look handsome," said Mrs. Weston. "I declare it was real
+thoughtful in you to bring them. Why, for goodness' sake! How many did
+ye bring?" as Reuben arrived with basket after basket, which he placed
+in a row upon the table, and then commenced to make another row upon the
+swing table on the opposite side of the room.
+
+"I've no idee how many there is," said Mrs. Jenks. "Reuben an' I
+commenced rubbin' and polishin' 'em right after breakfast, and we never
+stopped rubbin' 'til we was ready to start. Then we packed in the
+baskets, and here we be."
+
+Meanwhile the neighbors had removed bonnets and shawls, and three
+energetic housekeepers, with the help of Randy and little Prue,
+succeeded in "keeping things moving," as Mrs. Jenks had expressed it.
+
+Suddenly, Jotham Potts's dark face peeped in at the door, with, "Say,
+Mrs. Weston, I'm a master hand at chopping, so any time I can help, just
+give me a chopping knife and tray, and I'll work like a major."
+
+"I'll bear ye in mind, and call ye when I want ye," answered Mrs.
+Weston, and Prue rushed to the door to offer him a handful of raisins,
+saying, "I give them to you, Jotham, 'cause you're the biggest and the
+nicest boy I know."
+
+"Thank you, pussy. Hey! where are you now?" and he swung the child
+lightly up on his shoulder.
+
+"May I go with Jotham 'stead of picking any more raisins?"
+
+"Yes, run along," said her mother, glad to have her in the care of some
+one whom she could trust to keep her out of mischief.
+
+So busily did every one work that by Wednesday night the cooking for the
+spread was completed. Old and young had helped with a will to make the
+evening a success, and at last Thursday arrived, although Prue confided
+to Randy that she "b'lieved it never would."
+
+When the final decorations for the apple-bee were in place, everything
+needed for the sumptuous spread ready, there was absolutely nothing to
+do but wait patiently for the evening to come.
+
+The apples were to be cut, cored, and strung in the kitchen, the spread
+was to be in the "settin' room," and all the rooms were decorated so
+gayly that they appeared festive indeed. Randy had decorated the "best
+room," making it gay with branches of autumn leaves, in gorgeous colors,
+and sprays of scarlet privet berries.
+
+The Babson girls had had a bright idea in regard to trimming the
+"settin' room."
+
+"What's the reason we can't tie the corn husks together at the tip ends,
+and keep on tying 'til we get enough to go around the room, and then
+hang up the long string of ears and husks just above the pictures?"
+queried Belinda Babson.
+
+"Oh, Belinda!" screamed Randy, "that's such a bright idea, what ever
+made you think of it?"
+
+"I just did think of it, that's all," said Belinda, much pleased that
+her design for decoration met with approval. So the girls rushed out to
+the barn to find Mr. Weston and ask permission to use the corn.
+
+"Land, yes," he said when approached, "use anything within reach, I say,
+so long as it helps to make the house look pooty;" so, laughing gayly,
+the girls filled their aprons with corn, and running to the house
+commenced, in furious haste, to tie the husks together.
+
+All the young friends had called that morning in a body to offer their
+help to Randy, and she had most gladly accepted it.
+
+While the girls were tying the corn husks, Jotham Potts and Reuben Jenks
+were making themselves very useful, for by this time the girls had
+discovered that it required a great many ears of corn with which to
+garland or festoon the room. The boys brought the corn in wheelbarrow
+loads and then offered to help do the tying.
+
+"Oh, boys couldn't do this," said Phoebe Small, who was much piqued to
+see that whenever Jotham sat down to rest, he sat near Randy.
+
+"That's one of your pleasant speeches, Phoebe," said Reuben Jenks, before
+his friend Jotham could reply; whereat Phoebe tied a hard knot in a corn
+husk with such unnecessary vim that it broke.
+
+Reuben laughed slyly; and Randy with her usual kindness, appearing not
+to notice the tilt, praised Phoebe's pretty arrangement of red and yellow
+ears, and thus smoothed "ruffled feathers."
+
+Jotham looked at Randy with real admiration. "I b'lieve she always does
+the right thing," thought the boy; so Phoebe's spite only strengthened
+the admiration of Randy's young cavalier.
+
+"I think I've got a first-rate notion for decorating," said Jotham, "and
+if you'll let me and Reuben do it I tell you we can make that front walk
+as light as day, and as handsome as a picture for to-night, Randy," and
+Jotham looked at the girl with eyes that sparkled with enthusiasm.
+
+"Of course I'll let you do it, if it's fine," said Randy.
+
+"Now you needn't ask questions, for it's a secret; and Reuben an' me'll
+do it, without telling anybody but your pa," said Jotham, and out rushed
+the boys to hold a whispered conclave on the back stairs.
+
+"My, won't that be prime!" ejaculated Reuben, amazed at the brilliancy
+of Jotham's plan, and proud to be taken into a secret by a boy three
+years older than himself.
+
+Mr. Weston laughed long and loudly when the boys unfolded their plan,
+and declared that he'd do his part of it now. Accordingly, he soon
+appeared in the path which led from the road to the door, and began to
+drive long stakes into the ground on either side of the walk.
+
+"What are you doing, father?" called Randy.
+
+"Drivin' stakes, ain't I?" he responded, and with that she was obliged
+to be contented. The boys were out of sight, and the girls wondered what
+they were doing; but when at night a line of brilliant lights glowed on
+each side of the walk, they willingly declared the decoration a success.
+
+Mr. Weston had driven the stakes quite near together and every one was
+capped with a jack-o'-lantern made from a great golden pumpkin, so that,
+from road to doorway, a line of grinning goblins served to give a
+flaming welcome.
+
+At last everything was in readiness and the guests began to arrive.
+Reuben's mother had listened with much interest to the boy's scheme, and
+had insisted on donating all the pumpkins required.
+
+And now the wagons began to arrive, and great praise was bestowed upon
+the boys for their novel lighting of the walk. The pumpkins made very
+fine lamps, and one giant of its kind, fastened high above the door,
+smiled broadly upon each new arrival.
+
+Team after team drove up to the door, and shouts and laughter rang out
+on the crisp evening air as the guests first saw the gleaming lantern
+rows.
+
+At last nearly every one had arrived, and the rooms were bright with
+happy faces. In one corner a group of old ladies were chatting about the
+bees and huskings which they had enjoyed in their youth.
+
+The farmers and their wives were buzzing away over the latest bit of
+village gossip, the women telling it as they "b'lieved it was," and the
+men using convincing arguments to show that they had heard it "straight"
+at the store at the four corners.
+
+Girls and boys tried to out-talk each other, and everywhere the children
+ran in and out, playing "hide-and-seek" behind the sturdy forms of their
+elders.
+
+Helen had coaxed Randy to refrain from brushing back every curling lock,
+telling her that her hair was made to curl; and thus convinced, Randy
+appeared at the bee with a soft fluff of her light brown hair making a
+halo about her face.
+
+"I must say Miss Dayton's right; I like the looks of it," said Mrs.
+Weston, when Randy appeared before her with her hair dressed in the
+manner which Miss Dayton had suggested; so with much impatience Randy
+waited to see the look of approval on Helen's face when she should
+arrive. And others were looking for Helen in whose honor this festival
+was planned.
+
+At last a resounding "Whoa! Be still, can't ye?" announced the arrival
+of old Sandy McLeod, and great was the surprise when, as Randy opened
+the door, Helen--smiling, radiant Helen--came in, saying, "Good evening,
+friends," and followed by her ancient cavalier, old Sandy.
+
+"The lass is late because too many lads wanted to bring her," said
+Sandy, his old eyes twinkling.
+
+"That is true," said Helen, laughing, "too many lads, so I gave my
+choice to the eldest. Now for my bundle," and stepping out into the
+centre of the room Sandy showed, for the first time, that he held a
+large parcel.
+
+"I have a little surprise for you, dear friends," said Helen; "I wished
+to offer my mite toward the evening's pleasure, so I will ask Mrs.
+Weston to allow Mr. McLeod--"
+
+"Call me Sandy, lass," said the old man, gently.
+
+"To allow Sandy," corrected the girl, "to place this box on the centre
+of the supper table, to be opened when we are all seated around the
+spread."
+
+So the big box held its place of honor, and great was the curiosity
+concerning it.
+
+The children now commenced to play "the needle's eye," an old game
+popular among the country children, which is very similar to "London
+Bridge."
+
+  "The needle's eye it doth comply
+  With the thread which runs so true.
+  It has caught many a very fine lass,
+  And now it has caught you."
+
+Little Hitty Buffum found herself a prisoner. However, she was soon
+kissed and released, and through the arch formed by clasped hands and
+uplifted arms trooped the children, keeping time to the sing-song chant
+of the queer verse. They saw nothing funny in the verse, however, and
+played the game with great enthusiasm.
+
+Meanwhile the apples were being pared by industrious hands and soon the
+"stringing" began. Merrily the work went on with jokes and lively
+chatter, and before it seemed possible the task was completed.
+
+The boys now gathered up the parings, carried them away, and once more
+the room was in order.
+
+"Now, friends," said Randy's father, "let's all have supper." No one
+waited for a second invitation, and a cheery, happy party made a
+complete circle around the long table. What a spread that was! Hot baked
+beans and brown bread, mince pies, pumpkin pies, gingerbread and
+doughnuts, nuts and apples, made a "treat for a king," said old Sandy
+McLeod.
+
+"Now, Mr. Weston," said Helen, "please open my box;" and when the cover
+was removed a chorus of "Ohs" and "Ahs" greeted the sight disclosed.
+Helen had sent to Boston for an immense box of bonbons, and to those
+simple country people, who knew naught but home-made confections, the
+rose and violet tinted dainties looked like a fairy gift. But if they
+were unacquainted with such candies, it took a fabulously short time to
+learn to like them, and soon the bottom of the box appeared.
+
+Happy Helen, to have given so much pleasure! And now the table which had
+been so bountifully spread was beginning to look bare, for everybody had
+had a most excellent appetite, and had done full justice to the meal.
+The chairs were pushed back and old Sandy asked to have a bit of music.
+"The little lassies who sang the other night, canna they sing?" said he,
+looking kindly at Prue and Katie, who were playing "bean porridge hot"
+together.
+
+"Ain't any pi-ano here," said Katie.
+
+"Never mind that," said Helen; "I think if you and Prue sing the little
+songs which you sang the other evening so sweetly, Sandy will, in
+return, make some music for you."
+
+"That I will," responded the old man, heartily; "but there's naught so
+blithe as the sound of a bairnie's voice."
+
+So wee Katie was mounted upon a chair, in lieu of a platform, and she
+sang the little solo, "Once there was a little mouse," giving all the
+verses, and even remembering to make a little bow as Helen had taught
+her. Indeed, she bowed so vigorously that she barely escaped losing her
+balance. Then she hopped down, and little Prue sprang up in her place,
+singing, "Sometimes I am a daisy bloom," just as she had sung it at Mrs.
+Gray's on the evening of the tableaux. When she had finished the last
+lines,
+
+  "And next to those I love the best
+  I love each one of you,"
+
+she kissed her little finger tips to her admiring audience, as Helen had
+taught her to do.
+
+Every one applauded, and old Sandy called the children to him, saying,
+"I'll make the music for ye now, I wad na hae the heart to refuse," and
+rising hastily he left the room. Every one was surprised at this abrupt
+movement and wondered if the childish voice had moved him too deeply,
+awakening the memories of his Scottish home and friends.
+
+Silent he had ever been in regard to home and kindred, answering
+questions in a manner which invited no further queries; but since
+Helen's stay in the village he had warmed wonderfully toward his
+neighbors, and seemed quite unlike the silent old man whom they had
+known.
+
+But while they were wondering about his absence, Sandy reappeared. What
+a change! Arrayed in all the bravery of a Scottish chieftain, old Sandy
+stood before them, a picture indeed.
+
+Over a kilt of tartan he wore the red coat and plaid, and on his head,
+crowning his white locks, sat a genuine Scotch "bonnet," with an eagle
+feather black as night. In his hands he carried the bagpipes, and while
+the children stared, open-mouthed, Sandy commenced to play. "Scots Wha
+Hae" rang out with a wonderful skirl, followed by "Bonnie Prince
+Charlie," "Jock o' Hazeldean," and a half dozen more, until old Nathan
+Lawton declared that there was no keeping still with such music, and
+when at his request the pipes commenced to play a rollicking reel, old
+Nathan remarked that he used to cut "pigeon wings" and he guessed he
+could now, took his position in the centre of the floor, and proceeded
+to cut them in a wonderful manner.
+
+If the children were delighted, so were their elders, for was this not a
+treat of which they had not dreamed? and, best of all, two old people
+who had been so cold and forbidding now were warmed and charmed into a
+friendly feeling with all their neighbors.
+
+When Sandy and Nathan Lawton stopped to rest and regain their breath,
+the young people crowded around them to thank them and to examine the
+fine Scotch costume which Sandy wore.
+
+"That's a pretty dress and jacket," said little Prue, admiringly, "and
+you've got such a long sash, too."
+
+The child's admiration for his costume pleased the old man, and it was
+of small consequence to him that she called his kilt a dress. Lifting
+Prue upon his knee, he stroked her short fair curls, telling her how
+like the little lass she was who used to be his playmate in bonnie
+Scotland.
+
+[Illustration: "'Why don't you send the Little Girl a Letter?'"]
+
+"Is she big as me?" asked the little girl, all unmindful that Sandy's
+child mate had had many years in which to grow.
+
+A moment the old man hesitated, then, very gently, he told the child
+upon his knee of that other child away in bonnie Scotland; told her that
+when his little mate was a child, he had been a child too; that he had
+known her all his young life; that she had grown old as he had, and
+now--but here he paused, and practical little Prue, looking up at him,
+asked, "Is it far to Scotland?" Sandy told her that it was very far
+indeed.
+
+"Too far to send letters?" was the next question.
+
+"No," he assured her; "it was not as far as that."
+
+"Then why don't you send the little girl a letter?" questioned Prue.
+
+Those who had heard the question were fearful that the old Scotchman
+would be displeased.
+
+For a moment a look of amazement rested on Sandy's face as he stared at
+the innocent questioner; then, as with an effort, he said, "I will,
+little lass, I will."
+
+"I would," said little Prue, "and tell her there's another little girl,
+what you know, sends her love to her, will you, Sandy?"
+
+"Bless the bairn! Ye hae mair wisdom than ye ken;" adding under his
+breath, "a deal mair wisdom than Sandy McLeod."
+
+It was Helen, who, while walking by his house, had heard Sandy playing
+the pipes ever so softly, and looking in, had seen him playing, and, at
+the same time, looking lovingly at the old Scotch costume as it lay
+spread out upon the wooden chest in which it was usually kept. She had
+coaxed a part of his story from him that day, and he had declared he
+felt better for the telling.
+
+The costume was one which his father had worn as chief of his clan when
+Sandy was a young man. There had been a dispute in which he and his
+father had been equally obstinate.
+
+When the old man died, Sandy had left Scotland, taking with him the suit
+of tartan, the bagpipes, and, dearer than all, a letter in which his
+father forgave him for his part in the dispute. Further than this he
+refused to talk, saying nothing whatever as to living kinsmen or
+friends.
+
+Having told a part of his story to Helen, to which she listened with
+ready interest and sympathy, it needed but a hit of judicious coaxing to
+get him to promise to play at the apple-bee.
+
+And now the gayety, which had lulled while every one had listened to the
+music, revived, and each one present seemed to be trying his best to
+out-talk his neighbor.
+
+"Isn't Miss Dayton's blue dress the very handsomest dress you ever saw?"
+said Jemima Babson.
+
+"Yes, and isn't she the handsomest person you ever saw in _any_ dress?"
+said Phoebe Small, looking sharply at Randy, who was looking unusually
+pretty with her hair dressed to show its curls and ripples.
+
+"Miss Dayton's splendid, we all know that," said Jotham, blushing
+furiously; "but it don't make it out that Randy Weston isn't amazing
+pretty."
+
+And here another voice chimed in, "Did yer ever taste anything like that
+candy in yer life?"
+
+"It was just splendid, and I do b'lieve--"
+
+"Have ye noticed Mrs. Jenks? I do declare, she's as much different from
+what she used ter be as possible. Why, she sent them fine apples, and
+gave the hull of them pumpkins, and--"
+
+Just at this point Mrs. Buffum ejaculated, "Well, as I live! ef it ain't
+half-past ten o'clock," and she commenced at once to collect her brood.
+All were loath to leave the joyous scene, but the lateness of the hour
+made it imperative. Some one proposed a song before saying good night,
+and soon old and young voices chimed sweetly together as they sang:--
+
+  "All the year round, all the year round,
+  What are the seasons to you or to me?
+  Summer may go, bleak winds may blow,
+  Roses crown winter if cheery we be.
+  Sounds of the glad spring, pleasures the birds bring,
+  These live in loving hearts where'er they're found;
+  Sweet is the May time, sweet is the hay time,
+  So sweet are loving lips, all the year round."
+
+"Hooray for the apple-bee! Hooray for Miss Dayton!" shouted Reuben
+Jenks, "Hooray for the bagpipes and the dance!" Every one cheered, and
+Jotham, laughing at his friend's enthusiasm, shouted, "Hooray for every
+one and everything!" and they even cheered that; so, laughing and
+cheering, with lively chatter and snatches of song, wraps were donned
+and good nights said.
+
+After the last guest had departed, Randy turned from the doorway, and
+going back into the house she sat down opposite her father, a happy
+smile upon her lips.
+
+"Well, Randy," said her father, kindly, as he saw she had something to
+say.
+
+"Oh, father," she said, "doesn't it make you happy to see every one
+having a good time?"
+
+"Yes, indeed, it does," said father and mother together.
+
+"I mean to try always to make people happy," said Randy.
+
+"So do I," said little Prue; "but now let's go to bed."
+
+Randy laughed, and saying, "You've done bravely, Prue, to keep your eyes
+open to-night," led her little sister up the stairs to their tiny
+chamber, where soon they were fast asleep.
+
+The Babson girls talked until after midnight over the evening's
+entertainment, declaring it to be the "very greatest bee they ever went
+to."
+
+Phoebe Small, having no sister to talk it over with, kept the candle
+burning until late that night, while she wrote in her diary a lengthy
+description of the event. Phoebe had heard her mother tell of keeping a
+diary when she was young, so, of course, Phoebe, who ardently admired her
+mother, immediately commenced to keep one.
+
+Old Sandy McLeod, as he gallantly helped Helen Dayton to alight at Mrs.
+Gray's door, thanked her over and over again for the pleasure she had
+given him in allowing him to be her escort, telling her that he was glad
+enough that she had urged him to play the pipes, since the music had
+given such pleasure; adding, "Old Nathan and old Sandy hae' na been the
+best of friends and neighbors, but to-night we hae shaken hands an'
+we're to be friends forever."
+
+"Oh, I'm so glad," said Helen.
+
+"And ane thing mair, lass," he interrupted, "about that letter the
+little lass was talking of, I'll write it to-night!"
+
+"It is late, now," said Helen.
+
+"None too late to write. I'll do it to-night and sen' it to-morrow, as
+sure as I'm Sandy McLeod."
+
+True to his word, Sandy sat at his table until late into the night,
+writing a long, long letter. The candle flickered as his hand moved back
+and forth across the pages.
+
+Many times he paused while writing, and with his head resting upon his
+hand, he seemed to be thinking how best to express himself, so that his
+message might find favor with his old friend and playmate.
+
+At last, apparently, the letter was completed satisfactorily; for as the
+old man arose from the table, a faint smile flitted across his face.
+
+Crossing the room to the old chest by the window, he fumbled about until
+he brought from its depths a little package; then, walking to the table,
+he placed the tiny parcel between the folded pages of the letter, put
+the letter into its envelope, and with utmost care addressed it, reading
+the address over three times to make sure that it was correct. Under his
+pillow he placed the letter, saying, "With the light o' day I'll start
+ye on the journey." And of all the merry party who laughed and sang away
+the hours at the apple-bee, not one possessed a happier heart than
+Sandy.
+
+And Helen murmured, softly, as she lay half awake and half asleep,
+"Every one was happy to-night."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI--AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR
+
+
+The sun rose in golden splendor one morning to find that a curtain of
+purple haze prevented his sunship from showing all his dazzling glory.
+
+It was indeed a typical October morning in New England. For a time the
+haze prevailed, holding her own bravely against the sun, who struggled
+for supremacy; but at last he rose triumphant, the mist softly melting
+away beneath his warm rays.
+
+How fair and tall the slender birches looked as the bright rays gilded
+their white trunks! How cool and deep the little pool which reflected
+the birches and brakes which overhung its edge; and far away across the
+field a great black crow flew, cawing as he winged his way, then perched
+upon a slender twig which swayed beneath his weight. Tiny sparrows
+twittered and chirped as they hopped about among the dried weeds,
+searching among the seed vessels for a possible breakfast.
+
+Truly, all things were beautiful that morning; and Randy, from her
+chamber window, looked out upon the lovely scene, and on her face a
+smile and tear appeared,--a smile on the sweet lips in memory of the
+summer's pleasure; a tear at the thought of Helen's departure.
+
+"It has been the nicest summer I have ever known," mused Randy, softly.
+"Everything has looked prettier since she taught me how to look at
+things. How sweetly she thanked me for the rose I cut for her without
+spilling one of the dewdrops. 'Twas only a little thing, yet she thanked
+me as if the dewdrops were diamonds. Why, she just made me wild to find
+something to give to every one, if giving made such pleasure. I remember
+that I said I often wished I had more to give, and she showed me, oh, so
+plainly, that a smile or a pleasant word was worth the giving that I
+felt at once as if I were rich; for any one can say a pleasant word and
+all of us can smile. Oh, she's done us 'a world of good,' as the
+parson's wife said."
+
+While Randy dreamed at her window, Helen stood in the doorway at Mrs.
+Gray's, and she, too, was thinking of the summer so happily spent.
+
+Soon she would be at home, and in a few months the winter season would
+bring a round of social engagements.
+
+Why had the days so quietly spent seemed so charming? What was the
+secret of their charm? Happy she had been,--very, very happy,--and so
+swiftly had the weeks sped that it seemed impossible that October had
+arrived. She had chosen to spend the summer, contrary to her usual
+custom, in a little country village, with no other thought than that in
+such a place she could be sure of rest and quiet.
+
+She was a girl of generous impulses, and after becoming acquainted with
+the people of the neighborhood of the Gray homestead, many an
+opportunity for a gracious word or a generous action presented itself.
+How gently and with what ready tact she had made herself a friend to
+young and old, was proven by the genuine regret manifested whenever her
+departure was mentioned.
+
+Helen had a host of friends of whom to take leave, and all were charmed
+and gladdened to hear that they would see her sweet face again sometime
+during the winter. She had called to see old Sandy once more before her
+departure, and he had had a wonderful bit of news to tell.
+
+The letter which he had written after his return from the apple-bee he
+had posted early on the following morning. It was addressed to Miss
+Margaret McLean, and Sandy explained that, as her father had been a
+prominent manufacturer in the little Scottish town in which they had
+lived for years, holding large business interests and owning a number of
+mills which bore his name, the daughter, his only child, must be well
+known there; so he had trusted that the letter, written after so many
+years' delay, might be promptly delivered.
+
+Strangely enough, it had never occurred to Sandy to wonder if his old
+playmate were still living. To his great joy, an answer to the letter
+came sooner than he had expected. She was still waiting for him, she
+said, as she had ever waited, hoping that the time would come when he
+would forgive her for teasing him,--it had been but a girlish freak,--and
+tell her that he loved her as of old.
+
+Her father had lost much of his money before he died, but she had a "bit
+of property," she said, and she had sold her little cottage and would
+leave on the next steamer for America. She would bring with her a little
+Scotch lass, an orphan whom she had befriended and trained to be a
+little maid-servant; and, insisting that Sandy should meet her and go at
+once to some kirk to be married, she closed her letter with love to
+Sandy and a blessing for Helen and the wee lass, Prue. To Helen's
+congratulations he would only say, "It's your doing, lass, yours and the
+bairnie's."
+
+Sandy confided to Helen that he had been afraid that Margaret might
+doubt that he and the Sandy McLeod of her youth were one and the same;
+but, he added: "I had a proof, I had a proof, lass! I had a lock o' her
+bonnie hair tied wi' a knot o' blue ribbon. I knew she'd na forget
+gi'en' it to me, and I put it in the letter."
+
+"That was clever," said Helen.
+
+"An' she said she'd bring it back wi' her when she sailed for America,"
+added the old Scotchman, joyously; and Helen left him happy in the
+thought that although her farewell saddened him, there soon would be a
+dearer friend to greet him.
+
+Farmer Gray had driven to the village early that morning, and when he
+returned he greeted Helen cheerily, at the same time handing her a
+letter, saying, "I hope it is full of good news, Miss Dayton."
+
+It proved to be a letter from her aunt, urging Helen to start at once
+for home, as an uncle who had not seen her since she was a very little
+girl was making a short stay in Boston, and wished very much to see his
+niece before he returned to his home in a western city.
+
+"I am proud of you, Helen, as you know," wrote the dear old lady, "and I
+so earnestly wish Robert to see you that I wish you would start as soon
+as you receive this letter."
+
+Helen left for Boston early that morning, asking Mrs. Gray to tell Randy
+that she would write to her as soon as she reached home. Helen's
+departure was only a day earlier than she had intended, yet she
+regretted to leave in such haste. She had wished to bid Randy and dear
+little Prue an affectionate good-by and reiterate her promise of a
+flying visit sometime during the winter months.
+
+As she sat looking out of the car window and watched the little town
+receding, she thought of Randy's sweet face, and like a vision it
+appeared before her with grieved eyes and quivering lips, just as she
+knew the girl would look when Mrs. Gray told her of her friend's
+departure. Then a bright thought occurred to her, and a happy smile
+played about her lips.
+
+Opening her little bag she took from it a block of paper, such as she
+had used for memoranda, and with a pencil she commenced a note to Randy.
+She would obtain an envelope and stamp as soon as she reached Boston.
+Helen possessed a merry wit, and leaf after leaf of the little block she
+filled with a breezy account of her journey. She described at length the
+man with three immense leather bags, who tried in vain to walk down the
+aisle with all that baggage, and was at last compelled to make three
+separate trips; the old lady with a box containing a cat which mewed
+dismally all the way; the woman with four children, who seemed to have
+an endless supply of lunches, yet cried for more; the boy peddling prize
+candy, and any number of small happenings.
+
+The writing served to make the long ride less tedious, and she knew that
+the letter would make Randy smile through her tears.
+
+                   *       *       *       *       *
+
+When Randy and Prue appeared at breakfast time they were amazed to find
+Aunt Prudence at the table.
+
+"Why, when did you come?" questioned Prue, abruptly, staring at her aunt
+as if that lady had been an apparition instead of a very tangible
+reality.
+
+"I came last night, after you children was in bed," said Aunt Prudence,
+"and I guess your father was 'bout as s'prised as you be."
+
+"Wal', I guess I was," said Mr. Weston. "Ye was the last person I
+expected to see when I stopped near the depot to talk with neighbor
+Gray, but I was jest as glad to see ye as ef ye'd sent word ye was
+comin'."
+
+Mrs. Weston also hastened to assure her that her unexpected arrival was
+a pleasant surprise, but the children could not say a word. Prue was
+filled with a dread of Aunt Prudence's sharp eyes, which would be sure
+to detect any sign of plotted mischief; and Randy, knowing Prue's
+intense dislike of supervision, realized that careful watching,
+amounting almost to strategy, would be necessary to keep the little girl
+from vexing Aunt Prudence, thereby actually showing her how intensely
+she disliked her.
+
+Although the morning hours were fully occupied, Randy was aware of a
+subtle sense of change in Aunt Prudence. She looked as angular and
+austere as before, but her voice seemed less shrill, and her sharp eyes
+behind her glasses looked out with a softened light.
+
+"Perhaps we didn't really know her before," said Randy to Prue.
+
+"P'r'aps maybe we didn't," answered Prue. "She calls me Prudence same's
+she did before, but she says it diffe'nt."
+
+"That's it," said Randy, "her voice is pleasanter."
+
+"And her eyes isn't always looking at me, so I don't darest to move,"
+said Prue.
+
+Randy turned away quickly, that Prue need not see her laughing. The idea
+that any one could prevent her little sister from indulging in almost
+perpetual motion, seemed utterly funny to her.
+
+Half an hour later Randy chanced to hear Prue talking to Tabby, just
+under the kitchen window.
+
+"Now, Tabby," she was saying, "if you lie real still while I drag you
+'round, you'll get a lovely ride and nobody'll ever know it; but if you
+squirm and act naughty, I'll put the basket right back in Aunt
+Prudence's room, and I won't give you any ride at all."
+
+Randy waited to hear no more, for upon looking out over the wide
+window-sill she espied naughty little Prue dragging Miss Prudence's best
+cap basket around the dooryard. She had made Tabby lie in the basket,
+then pressing down the cover she had fastened the little straw loop and
+thus locked Tabby into a very close carriage. Out rushed Randy, to
+rescue Tabby and the pretty basket at the same time.
+
+"What makes you think to do such naughty things, Prue Weston?" said
+indignant Randy; "don't you know you're plaguing Tabby and Aunt Prudence
+at the same time?"
+
+"Tabby likes to ride," asserted Prue, "and I don't care if I do plague--"
+but the mischievous little elf did not finish the sentence, for on
+looking up, there stood Aunt Prudence in the doorway.
+
+Randy's face was suffused with hot blushes, and Prue, naughty little
+Prue, looked completely abashed.
+
+Aunt Prudence was the first to speak. "Bring my basket to me," said she,
+abruptly, but not unkindly.
+
+Slowly Prue unfastened the cover of the pretty, round cap basket, and
+with even more moderation Tabby stepped out, stopping to yawn and
+stretch while her hind legs were still in the basket.
+
+Prue stooped and energetically lifted her out upon the ground. Randy
+watched Aunt Prudence while Prue walked very slowly toward her, the
+forefinger of her left hand in her mouth, while with the right hand she
+reluctantly handed the basket to its owner.
+
+Did Aunt Prudence smile? Randy thought she espied a twinkle in the sharp
+eyes behind the glasses.
+
+"Now," said Aunt Prudence, "s'pose you come into my room while I show
+you something worth looking at."
+
+Into the house, slowly following Aunt Prudence, went Prue and Randy,
+filled with mingled curiosity and dread of the thing which they were
+soon to see.
+
+Aunt Prudence bent over her little hair-covered trunk, lifting aside
+this parcel and that until, oh, could it be true, a cunning little
+wooden cradle, painted bright red, made Prue utter a shrill cry of
+delight.
+
+"Oh! oh! is it for me?" cried Prue. "Oh, I am so sorry I was naughty!"
+
+Aunt Prudence put the cradle into Prue's chubby hands, who at once held
+it up for Randy to admire.
+
+"It's a beauty," said Randy. "Oh, Prue, you'd ought to be good now."
+
+"I will," said Prue; then, turning to Aunt Prudence, she said, "I guess
+I almost love you now, and I won't ever plague you."
+
+"Well, I guess my basket ain't hurt much this time; but don't borry it
+again, child. I guess the cradle will 'bout fit Tabby."
+
+"Oh, I do b'lieve it will! I'll go and 'medjure' her in it," said Prue,
+and away she scampered in search of her kitty.
+
+Left alone with her aunt, Randy hesitated a moment, then venturing a
+step nearer, she said, "I think you were very good to give the pretty
+cradle to Prue just when she'd been so naughty; but," added Randy, as
+usual anxious to shield her little sister, "she isn't always naughty,
+and now I'm 'most sure she'll try to please you." She looked up
+wistfully, hoping for a kindly word for Prue whom she loved so dearly.
+
+"Children will be children," said Aunt Prudence, with a grim smile. "I
+guess she's no wuss'n the average."
+
+"Father says you never had days of being naughty when you were a little
+girl, so I should think Prue'd seem extra naughty to you," said Randy,
+slowly moving the toe of her shoe back and forth along the cracks in the
+floor. As she glanced shyly at her aunt, hoping for one more consoling
+word in regard to Prue, she was much surprised and relieved to see Aunt
+Prudence actually smiling.
+
+"I guess your father's forgot about the time I threw his hat down the
+well to see if it would float."
+
+"Did _you_ do that?" asked Randy, in surprise.
+
+"Yes," said Aunt Prudence, "and what's more, I did it on purpose to
+plague him. He was goin' fishin', and I wanted to go, too. He said girls
+wus no good at fishin' and went to the shed to get his rod and line,
+whistlin' in a way that provoked me. His hat was on the grass near where
+I was standing, and, quick as a flash, I snatched it up and threw it
+down the well, thinkin' it would delay his fishin' trip for one while.
+It didn't, though. He went bare-headed; and soon's 'twas found out what
+I'd done, I got punished for spoilin' his hat. Yes, your father
+remembers my good days, an' it's just like him to forget that I ever had
+naughty ones. But, Randy," she said abruptly, "ye don't ask if I brought
+anything in my trunk for you."
+
+"Why, I never thought of it," said Randy.
+
+"Like enough," said Aunt Prudence; "it seems to me ye nearly always
+think of somebody besides yourself, Randy. I must say, I approve of ye.
+Yer father, every time he writes me, has something ter tell of you
+children; and now you jest help me unpack my trunk, an' I'll show ye
+something that, ef I ain't mistaken, will please ye mightily."
+
+"Indeed, I'll help you. I'll like to," said Randy, and soon the contents
+of the trunk were spread upon the bed. Those garments which could be
+hung up were placed upon hooks in the closet, and other articles were
+neatly folded in the bureau drawers. One puffy-looking package remained;
+this Aunt Prudence placed in Randy's hands, saying, "There, Randy,
+there's the material for making some Christmas presents; and if it makes
+ye happy, I'll be glad of it."
+
+Very eagerly Randy untied the parcel, and uttered a little cry of
+delight when the open wrapping disclosed some beautiful colored worsteds
+of various hues.
+
+"I'll teach ye ter knit while I'm here," said Aunt Prudence. "And now
+the evenings are beginning to be cool, ye might begin ter make a pretty
+little shawl for yer mother out of that deep red worsted; I guess
+there's enough of it. That blue yarn will make some mittens for little
+Prudence, and the rest of it ye can do what ye like with."
+
+Randy's delight knew no bounds, and she could hardly wait to hunt for
+needles and have her first lesson in knitting.
+
+That night, in their little chamber under the eaves, the children talked
+of Aunt Prudence.
+
+"I always said Aunt Prudence might be nice, if we really knew her," said
+Randy.
+
+"Yes," said Prue, "you said that when she was here before, I 'member it;
+but, Randy," she added, "that was when I was a little girl."
+
+Randy stifled a laugh, "Why, Prue, what are you now?" said she.
+
+"Now, Randy, you do know you medjured me last Saturday, and you said I'd
+growed most a inch."
+
+"Well, so you have," said Randy, gently, "and it's likely you'll grow a
+lot more this winter."
+
+"Course I will," said Prue, "and, oh, Randy, mustn't Aunt Prudence have
+growed awful fast when she was a little girl? Just think how big she is
+now! She's growed good awful fast, too, Randy," she continued, "for she
+wouldn't have gived me that little cradle for anything the last time she
+was here, would she, Randy?"
+
+Randy ignored this question.
+
+"We ought to be going to sleep, Prue," she said; "but I'll tell you
+something first: I mean to be just as nice to Aunt Prudence as I can,
+while she stays here."
+
+"So do I," said little Prue. "I told her to-day when her needle plagued
+her, I told her I'd fred all her needles when she was sewing, and you'd
+never guess what she said, Randy. She said I was a good little girl,--she
+did, truly."
+
+The patter of raindrops on the roof soon lulled the children to sleep,
+and in their dreams Aunt Prudence figured as the Goddess of Plenty,
+distributing gifts with lavish hands.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII--A WEDDING FEAST
+
+
+Sunday morning Randy and Prue were early at church, and as they leaned
+back against the pew, in expectation of one of Parson Spooner's long
+sermons, Randy put her hand in her pocket and lovingly caressed a square
+envelope which she had placed there before starting for church.
+
+"Got any candy in your pocket, Randy?" eagerly questioned Prue, as she
+leaned toward her sister. Randy shook her head.
+
+"Didn't Jotham give you some when he speaked to you at the door?" she
+asked in such a loud whisper that Randy ejaculated "sh-sh," and again
+shook her head.
+
+"Then what's in your pocket?" persisted Prue.
+
+Randy drew Helen's precious letter from her pocket, showing just enough
+of the envelope to satisfy Prue's curiosity. Then the little girl took a
+hymn book from the rack, and with her wee forefinger commenced to point
+out, and at the same time name those letters which she knew. She found
+every O upon the page, then every S, and Randy thought best to let her
+thus amuse herself as, at least, she was quiet--a most unusual thing.
+
+Helen had mailed the letter at once upon reaching Boston, and Mr. Weston
+had brought it from the village on the following day and placed it in
+Randy's hand as she sat listening to Mrs. Gray, who had called to
+deliver Helen's message.
+
+"A letter for me, father?" questioned Randy in surprise. "Why, who's it
+from?"
+
+Mr. Weston laughed. "Shouldn't wonder if ye had to open it to find out,
+Randy," said he.
+
+Randy opened it and laughed with delight when she found it was from
+Helen. She had read it three times and had taken it to church with her,
+because she said she "just couldn't leave it at home."
+
+So Sunday morning Randy kept her mind upon the sermon, and her hand upon
+the letter. The sermon had been less lengthy than usual, and when the
+good old pastor had closed the Bible, he removed his spectacles; and as
+he slowly wiped them, he said: "Dear friends, I have a notice to give
+to-day, or perhaps I should say an invitation, and there could be no
+better time or place for what I have to say.
+
+"A quiet wedding ceremony took place at a little church in New York
+City, the contracting parties being our friend and neighbor, Mr. Sandy
+McLeod,--or, as the papers have it, Alexander McLeod,--and Miss Margaret
+McLean of Scotland, an old playmate and friend, from whom our friend has
+been separated many years. I have received a delightful letter from him
+in which I am asked to make this announcement, and to say that they will
+be at home on Wednesday evening. They extend an invitation to all the
+good people of this town to be present, and an especially urgent request
+that all the children be there."
+
+What a stir that announcement made! What a great event!
+
+Sandy's farm was one of the finest in the neighborhood, and his house
+the largest and most substantial in the place; but Helen and Parson
+Spooner were the only people who had ever entered it, save Sandy himself
+and the men who worked for him.
+
+Fabulous tales the men had told of the fine things which the house
+contained; so curiosity was rife regarding it, and now every one, even
+the little ones of the parish, were bidden welcome.
+
+After church Randy stopped a moment to speak to the Babson girls and
+Phoebe Small, to tell them of the letter from Helen, promising to read it
+to them if they would call on Monday afternoon.
+
+The girls promised, saying, "You can read us the letter, and then we'll
+talk over the party, or whatever it is to be, at Sandy McLeod's."
+
+Promptly, on Monday afternoon, the girls arrived, and the letter was
+produced and read. How they laughed at Helen's bright description of the
+events of her homeward journey. Phoebe Small felt that in receiving the
+letter Randy had been especially favored. A little twinge of jealousy
+caused her to part her lips to make a sharp little speech; but,
+remembering a promise to Helen, and her own resolution, she said
+pleasantly, "You must have been pleased to receive it, Randy; I'm glad
+she wrote it to you."
+
+It was so unlike her usual remarks that the Babson girls looked at each
+other; but Randy slipped her arm around Phoebe as they stood by the
+window, and Phoebe felt rewarded.
+
+They talked earnestly over the event of Wednesday evening, and all were
+enthusiastically expectant.
+
+As the afternoon waned, the girls took leave of Randy, looking back as
+they went down the road to call to her, "We'll see you Wednesday night."
+
+Wednesday proved to be a lovely day, and the evening sky was bright with
+stars, the air cold and crisp when the merry party drove up to Sandy's
+door. As no one wished to be the first to arrive, a large party met at
+Mrs. Weston's house and together they drove to the McLeod farm.
+
+The large house was ablaze with lights, and as the teams stopped, the
+door was opened wide and a cheery voice shouted, "It's glad we are to
+see ye, friends, come in, come in," and Sandy led the way proudly to a
+silver-haired little woman, who stood waiting to greet her husband's
+friends and neighbors.
+
+Such a sweet-faced little woman, who had a gentle, gracious word for
+every new friend, and a kiss for each one of the children.
+
+When Sandy brought Prue to her, saying, "This is the little lass,
+Margaret, wha said 'write the letter,'" she took the child upon her lap
+and put her arms about her, saying, "Bless the bairn, will ye come
+sometimes to see me? it wad gae me much pleasure."
+
+"Oh, yes, I will come," answered Prue, "if I may bring Randy. She's my
+big sister, and there's no one like her anywhere."
+
+Prue was assured that Randy would be more than welcome. Every one was
+charmed with the gentle little Scotch woman, who seemed equally pleased
+with her new friends.
+
+They sometimes found it a bit difficult to understand her. Sandy had
+been so long in America, and had tried so earnestly to be like his
+neighbors, that he expressed himself in very good English, with here and
+there a bit of his old dialect appearing. His wife, however, had lived
+in a little town some miles distant from the city, and used many words
+which, while in common use in the Scottish village, were utterly unknown
+to her new friends. But her manner could not be misunderstood. It was
+unmistakably the manner of a gentle, lovely character, bearing good-will
+to all.
+
+[Illustration: "At the Head of a Long Table stood Helen Dayton"]
+
+The hum of conversation rose to a din as the young people laughed and
+chatted. All had been admiring the furnishings, which were indeed
+charming. There were some quaint old chairs which had belonged to
+Sandy's father; a large family portrait hung on the wall above the
+fireplace; some beautiful old candlesticks in which bright tapers
+burned; and the evident delight of their guests charmed Sandy and his
+dear old wife.
+
+"Now, friends," said Sandy, stepping forward, "ye ha' all seen my
+Margaret, noo will ye walk this way and I'll gie ye another surprise,"
+and he led the way to the end of the parlor, where he opened a door, and
+there at the head of a long table, spread with a feast such as no one in
+the village had ever seen, stood Helen Dayton.
+
+With a sharp cry of delight Randy ran to greet her, and was folded in
+Helen's arms. Then every one crowded about Miss Dayton, and many were
+the questions with which she was plied.
+
+"I cannot answer all these questions," she said with a merry laugh; "but
+I'll tell you how I happened to be here again so soon. I hastened home,
+as many of you know, to see my Uncle Robert, who was to be in Boston but
+a few days, and on the day of his departure for the West I received the
+glad news of the wedding in a most delightful letter, which also
+contained a cordial invitation for me to be present and surprise you all
+to-night."
+
+"We're glad enough to see you again," said Jotham Potts, and a chorus of
+voices echoed the boy's frank speech.
+
+Then the feast began. Such a treat it was to Sandy's neighbors and
+friends. The children were fairly wild with excitement. A giant wedding
+cake graced the centre of the table, and the beautiful frosting, with
+its garlands of flowers and little sugar cupids, delighted the children,
+who thought it the finest thing which they had ever seen.
+
+A huge platter of roast turkey on one end of the table, and one of roast
+goose on the other, proved very tempting; and a chicken pie with its
+fluted crust was not to be ignored.
+
+When these were removed, Sandy filled their places with huge fancy
+baskets of fruit; and still the candles burned and flickered, and the
+hum of merry voices filled the old house with gladness. At a late hour
+the happy party left, the neighbors, one and all, wishing the dear old
+couple every blessing, and promising to be as neighborly as their busy
+lives would permit.
+
+To Randy, Helen said: "I shall not run away this time without saying
+good-by. I will come to-morrow and spend a little time with you, and
+then you may go with me to the village, where I must take the train for
+home."
+
+Bright and early on the following day, Randy was up, singing as she
+moved about the kitchen, as usual, trying to help.
+
+"She's coming to-day, she's coming to-day," sang Prue, as she skipped
+about the room, and Randy's heart joined gladly in the song.
+
+At that very moment Helen was coming up the walk, and as she tapped
+lightly at the door, Prue ran to let her in.
+
+How bright she looked in her cloth gown and trim jacket, her feather
+collar and bewitching hat. She took off her wraps, as Mrs. Weston
+suggested, and sat down to chat with Randy.
+
+"What is the news?" said Helen. "What has happened during my absence,
+Randy?"
+
+"Very little has happened," said Randy, "only a few things. School is to
+open next week; that's a week earlier than last year, and Mr. Lawton
+says he'll keep his best room warm enough for us if it takes his whole
+woodpile."
+
+"And I'm going to school," said Prue, and she looked at Helen as if she
+expected to see that young lady stunned by such an announcement.
+
+"I'm going to study reading and rifm-tic," she added, hoping to produce
+even more of an impression.
+
+Helen and Randy laughed, "I hope they will reserve 'rifm-tic,'" said
+Helen, "until a little later."
+
+"When there is snow," said Randy, "we can coast on our sled down to Mr.
+Lawton's house, without stopping; and although I'm pretty tall this
+winter, I think I shall coast just as I did last season, only this year
+Prue will sit behind me."
+
+"And Jotham 'most always drags her home, so she don't have to walk 't
+all," said Prue, anxious to tell all the particulars.
+
+"Randy is fortunate to have such an accommodating friend," said Helen,
+"and now I have something to tell you. I have been helping my aunt to
+make some plans for the winter, and I have really found three days at
+the Christmas holidays for which I have made no engagements, and, if it
+will please you, Randy, I will give those days to you."
+
+Mrs. Weston paused in her work to say, "We shall all be pleased to have
+you with us, and Randy will be wild until you come."
+
+Helen had taken leave of Sandy and his wife at their home, so when
+Randy's father brought the old horse and wagon to the door, she said
+good-by to Mrs. Weston and little Prue, and with Randy and her father
+rode to the depot at the centre.
+
+They arrived just a few moments before the train was due, and Helen and
+Randy walked up and down the platform, talking earnestly over the
+promised visit and the winter schooldays so soon to commence.
+
+"I shall think of you every day," said Randy, "and I mean to study so
+hard this winter that some day, when I write, I shall be able to tell
+you that I am at the head of my class."
+
+"That is right," said Helen; "ambition and hard work will accomplish
+wonders."
+
+Just then the whistle sounded, and soon the train came around the curve
+and stopped at the little station.
+
+Very gently Helen kissed Randy, saying, "Remember I shall soon be here
+again."
+
+Then the train started, and through her tears Randy saw Helen's
+beautiful, smiling face at the window. When the last car was out of
+sight, Randy turned toward her father a face which was a combination of
+smiles and tears.
+
+"Well, Randy," said he, "which is it, laughing or crying?"
+
+"Both," said Randy, "crying because I am sorry to have her go, and
+smiling because I know just when she will come again. And, now, father,
+I am going to tell you something. I mean to be the best scholar in
+school this year. I'd like to be able to talk and write as well as Miss
+Dayton does. I don't suppose I could do that, but I will come as near as
+I can," and Randy looked to her father for his approval.
+
+"That's right, Randy, that's right," said her father, heartily, "and
+now, I'll tell _you_ something. Sandy McLeod says that if Nathan Lawton
+gives the use of his best room for a schoolroom to the children, he
+isn't going to have Nathan outdo him, so he's offered a prize of a
+five-dollar gold piece to be given to the best scholar at the school
+this winter. I am glad that you spoke your mind before you knew about
+the prize. I'm willing you should try for it, but I'm glad to know that
+you intended to study before you had any idea of a prize to be won."
+
+"I'll make myself a good scholar," said Randy, "and I'll get the prize,
+too." Randy never forgot that morning.
+
+Years after, the scene, in all its completeness, would rise before her
+with a perfection of detail that would for a moment startle her; the old
+mare leisurely crawling up the road toward home; the stone walls along
+the sides of the road, still covered with blackberry vines, their
+foliage russet-colored against the cold gray stones, and their thorny
+stems red in the October sunshine.
+
+Across the roads the fields were dry and dun-colored, but in places the
+grass was still green, and over all the bright blue sky with its
+floating clouds. Birds twittered in the tree-tops or flew in swirling
+lines above the sunny fields, and everywhere, although the trees were
+bare and the flowers gone, a feeling of gladness and cheer seemed
+present.
+
+Randy turned to speak to her father and found that he was looking
+curiously at her. "Oh, father," said she, "I was just thinking that it
+seems as if everything was glad for some reason this morning. I don't
+know how to tell you just how I feel, but the sky seems so bright, the
+birds are singing, and when I looked at you I thought that you looked
+glad too."
+
+"Well, Randy, I see just what you mean. It is bright and glad and sunny
+to-day, and as to my looking glad, I think I ought to. I've got your
+mother, and Prue, and you, Randy, and I've got something more to be
+thankful for--something to be thankful to _you_ for."
+
+"Thankful to _me_!" gasped Randy, in amazement.
+
+"Yes, Randy, yes. I got a letter last night. Ye know I went down to the
+centre after supper, and I didn't get home 'til after you and Prue was
+in bed. Well, I wasn't expecting to hear from anybody, special, and I
+never opened the letter 'til I'd put the cat out and fastened up. Then I
+thought of the letter and sat down at the table to read it. Yer mother
+was puttin' the last stitches into a stockin' she was mendin' when I
+came to a place in the letter that made me hop. Mother came, and looking
+over my shoulder read the line I put my finger on.
+
+"Randy, do ye remember that day last summer when ye listened at the
+roadside to what Jason Meade was sayin' 'bout makin' me sell my pasture
+land to him? Do yer rec'lect how ye run 'til ye was 'bout beat out to
+reach me 'fore he could, and how ye begged me not to sell?"
+
+"Why, yes," said Randy; then in sudden fear, "he didn't make you, did
+he, father?"
+
+The girl's wide open eyes looked anxiously up into his face as she
+grasped his arm and waited for an answer.
+
+"Make me! Well, I guess not! Randy, that letter was from the big
+railroad company, and, val'ble as I thought the land would be, they've
+offered me more'n I ever dreamed of. I shan't be what city folks would
+call wealthy, but I'll be 'stonishin' well off. Your mother and I will
+be able to take things a little easier; and, Randy, you shall have all
+the schoolin' ye want, and so shall little Prue. I'd 'bout made up my
+mind to let Meade have that land, he seemed to have set his mind on it;
+and I b'lieve I should have let him have it, ef you had gone on ter Mis'
+Gray's and stopped to tea with Miss Dayton, as you intended. But for you
+my land would have been in Jason Meade's hands, and I might 'a' whistled
+fer it. You gave up your pleasure to do the right thing at the right
+time; as I said that day, I've got a daughter to be thankful for."
+
+"Oh, father," said Randy, "it seemed a little thing to do, but I was so
+anxious to reach you in time that I forgot everything else, even Miss
+Dayton and the tea at Mrs. Gray's."
+
+"Well, ye did yer duty, Randy, even when ye feared the men would find ye
+listening and be angry. Always be brave to do right, as ye did that
+time, and ye'll make a fine woman."
+
+Small wonder that Randy remembered that morning's ride! The bright
+sunlight of her father's commendation seemed to outshine nature's
+sunshine. The thought that she had been instrumental in bringing good
+fortune to her parents, who had toiled early and late, filled Randy's
+heart with a gladness which she would have found difficult to describe.
+
+Mr. Weston accepted the company's offer for his land, and with their
+good fortune he and his wife seemed to have regained a bit of their
+youth; and they were never happier than when making plans for Randy and
+Prue or lending a helping hand to some friend or neighbor less fortunate
+than themselves.
+
+Randy still indulges in day-dreams which, at present, are filled with
+anticipations of schooldays so near at hand, and the winter's pleasures
+which the boys and girls of the village are already planning; and when
+next we meet Randy and Prue, it will be in "Randy's Winter."
+
+
+
+
+AMERICAN GIRLS' SERIES
+
+_Standard Copyright Books for Girls by American Authors_
+
+Thirty-five titles Each complete in itself.
+
+Uniform cloth binding
+
+New cover design
+
+Price per volume $1.00
+
+   1. Battles at Home By Mary G. Darling
+   2. Captain Molly By Mary A. Denison
+   3. Daisy Travers By Adelaide F. Samuels
+   4. Deerings of Medbury, The By Virginia F. Townsend
+   5. Her Friend's Lover By Sophie May
+   6. Hollands, The By Virginia F. Townsend
+   7. In Trust By Amanda M. Douglas
+   8. In the World By Mary G. Darling
+   9. Into the Light By C. G. O.
+  10. It Came to Pass By Mary Farley Sanborn
+  11. Lottie Eames By Adelaide F. Samuels
+  12. May Martin and Other Tales of the Green Mountains
+      By Judge D. P. Thompson
+  13. Mills of Tuxbury By Virginia F. Townsend
+  14. Nellie Kinnard's Kingdom By Amanda M. Douglas
+  15. Pretty Lucy Merwyn By Mary Lakeman
+  16. Rhoda Thornton's Girlhood By Mary E. Pratt
+  17. Room for One More By Mrs. T. W. Higginson
+  18. Ruby Duke, A Story of Boarding School Life By Mrs. H. K. Potwin
+  19. Ruth Eliot's Dream By Mary Lakeman
+  20. Seven Daughters By Amanda M. Douglas
+  21. Six in All By Virginia F. Townsend
+  22. Sweet and Twenty By Mary Farley Sanborn
+  23. Tatters By Beulah
+  24. Which, Right or Wrong? By Mary L. Moreland
+  25. Whom Kathie Married By Amanda M. Douglas
+  26. An American Girl Abroad By Adeline Trafton
+  27. Dorothy's Experience By Adeline Trafton
+  28. Hester Strong's Life Work By Mrs. S. A. Southworth
+  29. Hillsboro' Farms, A Story for Girls By Sophia Dickinson Cobb
+  30. Sally Williams the Mountain Girl By Mrs. E. D. Cheney
+  31. 'Lisbeth Wilson: A Daughter of New Hampshire Hills
+      By Eliza Nelson Blair
+  32. Running to Waste By George M. Baker
+  33. Barbara Thayer: Her Glorious Career By Annie Jenness Miller
+  34. Katherine Earle By Adeline Trafton
+  35. In the King's Country By Amanda M. Douglas
+
+LEE AND SHEPARD, Publishers,
+
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+
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+MAY-FLOWER SERIES FOR GIRLS
+
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+   4. Celesta, a Girl's Book By Mrs. Martha E. Berry
+   5. Children of Amity Court By Louise C. Thurston
+   6. Cruise of the Dashaway or Katie Putnam's Voyage By May Mannering
+   7. Daisy or the Fairy Spectacles By Caroline Snowden Guild
+   8. Fine Feathers do not make Fine Birds By Kate J. Neely
+   9. Great Rosy Diamond By Ann Augusta Carter
+  10. Going on a Mission By Paul Cobden
+  11. Handsome is that Handsome does By Mrs. M. E. Bradley
+  12. How Eva Roberts gained her Education By Louise C. Thurston
+  13. Little Maid of Oxbow By May Mannering
+  14. Little Blossom's Reward By Emily Hare
+  15. Thousand a Year By Mrs. M. E. Bruce
+  16. May Coverly, A Story for Girls
+  17. Minnie or the Little Woman
+  18. Nettie's Trial By Mrs. S. B. C. Samuels
+  19. One Good Turn deserves Another By Kate J. Neely
+  20. Pinks and Blues or the Orphan Asylum By Mrs. Rosa Abbott Parker
+  21. Shipwrecked Girl or Adele By Mrs. S. B. C. Samuels
+  22. Take a Peep By Paul Cobden
+  23. Upside Down or Will and Work By Rosa Abbott Parker
+  24. Violet, a Fairy Story
+  25. Wrong Confessed is Half Redressed By Mrs. M. E. Bradley
+
+
+
+
+Betty Seldon, Patriot
+
+_A Revolutionary Tale for Girls_
+
+By ADELE E. THOMPSON, Author of "Beck's Fortune."
+
+Illustrated by Lilian Crawford True.
+
+12mo. Cloth. 300 pages. $1.25
+
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+expect a book by Miss Thompson to be otherwise. Betty is a bright
+Connecticut girl, happily as industrious and filial as she is
+attractive. Her devotion to her father, a captain in the Continental
+army, and her experience with a Tory uncle, who appears upon the
+supposed death of her father and takes her to his home in Pennsylvania,
+pretending to be her guardian, form the basis of the book. Historical
+events are accurately traced leading up to the surrender of Cornwallis
+at Yorktown, with reunion and happiness for all who deserve it. Betty is
+worth a thousand of the fickle coquette heroines of some latter-day
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+effective.
+
+LEE AND SHEPARD, Publishers,
+
+BOSTON
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Randy's Summer, by Amy Brooks
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