\"Ihaven\'tgotanything。Can\'tsewragstogether;ormakebabyengines,andIhavenolive—stock——yes,Ihavetoo！There\'soldBun。
I\'llsendhim,forthefunofit;hereallyisacuriosity,forheisthebiggestoneIeversaw,andhoppingintothelimehasmadehisfursuchaqueercolor,helookslikeanewsortofrabbit。I\'llcatchandshuthimupbeforehegetswildagain\";andoffrushedJacktolureunsusFectinsoldBun,whohadgrowntameduringtheirabsence,intothecagewhichhedetested。
Theyalllaughedathisardor,butthefancypleasedthem;andasMammasawnoreasonwhytheirlittleworksofartshouldnotbesent,Frankfelltoworkonhismodel,andJillresolvedtofinishherquiltatonce,whileMrs。MinotwentofftoseeMr。Actonaboutthehoursandstudiesfortheboys。
Inaweekortwo,theyoungpeoplewerealmostresignedtothelossofschool,fortheyfoundthemselvesdelightfullyfreshforthefewlessonstheydidhave,andnotwearyofplay,sinceittookmanyusefulforms。OldJanenotonlycarriedthemalltoride,butgaveJackplentyofworkkeepingherpremisesinniceorder。Frankmournedprivatelyoverthedelayofcollege,butfoundasolaceinhiswhirligigandtheGymnasium,wherehesethimselftodevelopingachesttomatchthebigheadabove,whichheadnolongerachedwitheightortenhoursofstudy。Harvestingbeansandrakingupleavesseemedtohaveasoothingeffectuponhisnerves,fornowhefellasleepatonceinsteadofthumpinghispillowwithvexationbecausehisbrainwouldgoonworkingatdifficultproblemsandpassageswhenhewantedittostop。
JillandMollydroveawayinthelittlephaetoneveryfairmorningoverthesunnyhillsandthroughthechangingwoods,fillingtheirhandswithastersandgolden—rod,theirlungswiththepure,invigoratingair,andtheirheadswithallmannerofsweetandhappyfanciesandfeelingsbornofthewholesomeinfluencesahoutthem,People5hooktheirheads,andsaiditwaswastingtime;buttherosy—facedgirlswereContenttotrustthosewiserthanthemselves,andfoundtheirnewschoolverypleasant。Theyreadaloudagooddeal,rapidlyacquiringoneoftherarestandmostbeautifulaccomplishments;fortheycouldstopandaskquestionsastheywentalong,sothattheyunderstoodwhattheyread,whichishalfthesecret。Athousandthingscameupastheysewedtogetherintheafternoon,andtheeagermindsreceivedmuchgeneralinformationinaneasyandwell—orderedway。Physiologywasoneofthefavoritestudies,andMrs。Hammondoftencameintogivethemalittlelecture,teachingthemtounderstandthewondersoftheirownsystems,andhowtokeeptheminorder——alessonoffarmoreimportancejustthenthanGreekorLatin,forgirlsarethefuturemothers,nurses,teachers,oftherace,andshouldfeelhowmuchdependsonthem。Merrycouldnotresisttheattractionsofthefriendlycircle,andsoonpersuadedhermothertoletherdoastheydid;soshegotmoreexerciseandlessstudy,whichwasjustwhatthedelicategirlneeded。
Thefirstofthenewideasseemedtoprosper,andthesecond,thoughsuggestedinjoke,wascarriedoutinearnest,fortheotheryoungpeoplewereseizedwithastrongdesiretosendsomethingtotheFair。Infact,allsortsofqueerarticleswereproposed,andmuchfunprevailed,especiallyamongtheboys,whoransackedtheirgardensformammothvegetables,sighedforfive—leggedcalves,blueroses,oranyothernaturalcuriositybymeansofwhichtheymightdistinguishthemselves。Ralphwastheonlyonewhohadanythingreallyworthsending;forthoughFranksmodelseemedquiteperfect,itobstinatelyrefusedtogo,andatthelastmomentblewupwithareportlikeapop—gun。Soitwaslaidawayforrepairs,anditsdisappointedmakerdevotedhisenergiestohelpingJackkeepBuninorder;forthatindomitableanimalgotoutofeveryprisontheyputhimin,andledJackadreadfullifeduringthatlastweek。Atallhoursofthedayandnightthatdistractedboywouldstartup,crying,\"Thereheisagain！\"anddartouttogivechaseandcapturethevillainnowgrowntoofattorunasheoncedid。
TheverynightbeforetheFair,Frankwaswakenedbyachillydraught,and,gettinguptoseewhereitcamefrom,foundJack\'sdooropenandbedempty,whilethevisionofawhiteghostflittingaboutthegardensuggestedamidnightrushafteroldBun。Frankwatchedlaughingly,tillpoorJackcametowardthehousewiththegentlemaningraykickinglustilyinhisarms,andthenwhisperedinasepulchraltone,\"Puthimintheoldrefrigerator,hecan\'tgetoutofthat,\"
Blessinghimforthesuggestion,theexhaustedhuntershutuphisvictiminthenewcell,andfounditasafeone,forBuncouldnotburrowthroughasheetofzinc,orclimbupthesmoothwalls。Jill\'squiltwasaveryelaboratepieceofwork,beingbrightbluewithlittlewhitestarsalloverit;thisshefinishednicely,andfeltsurenopatientoldladycouldoutdoit。Merrydecidedtosendbutter,forshehadbeenhelpinghermotherinthedairythatsummer,andratherlikedthelightpartofthelabor。SheknewitwouldpleaseherverymuchifshechosethatinsteadofwildBowers,soshepractisedmouldingtheyellowpatsintoprettyshapes,thatitmightpleasebotheyeandtaste。
Mollydeclaredshewouldhavealittlepen,andputBooinit,astheprizefatboy——athreatwhichsoalarmedtheinnocentthatheranaway,aniwas~ouncltwoorthreemilespromborne,asleepunderthewall,withtwoseed—cakesandapairofsocksdoneupinabundle。Beingwithdifficultyconvincedthatitwasajoke,heconsentedtoreturntohisfamily,butwasevidentlysuspicious,tillMollydecidedtosendhercats,andsetaboutpreparingthemforexhibition。TheMinots\'desertedBunny—housewasratherlarge;butascatscannotbepackedascloselyasmuch—enduringsheep,Mollyborrowedthisdesirablefamilymansion,andputherdarlingsintoit,wheretheysoonsettleddown,andappearedtoenjoytheirnewresidence。Ithadbeenscrubbedupandpaintedred,cushionsandplatesputin,andtwoAmericanflagsadornedtheroof。Beingbarredallround,afineviewoftheHappyFamilycouldbehad,nowtwelveinnumber,asMolasseshadlatelyaddedthreewhitekitstothevariedcollection。
Thegirlsthoughtthiswouldbethemostinterestingspectacleofall,andGrifproposedtogivesomeofthecatsextratails,toincreasetheircharms,especiallypoorMortification,whowouldappreciatethehonoroftwo,afterhavingnoneforsolong。ButMollydeclined,andGriflookedabouthimforsomeattractiveanimaltoexhibit,sothathetoomightgoinfreeandcometohonor,perhaps。
Ayoungladyinthetownownedadonkey,asmall,graybeast,whoinsistedontrippingalongthesidewalksandbumpingherrideragainstthewallsasshepausedtobrowseatherownsweetwill,regardlessofblowsorcries,tillreadytomoveon。Expressinggreatadmirationforthisrareanimal,GrifobtainedleavetodisplaythecharmsofGraciosaattheFair。Littledidsheguessthedarkdesignsentertainedagainstherdignity,andhappilyshewasnotassensitivetoridiculeasalesshumble—mindedanimal,soshewentwillinglywithhernewfriend,andenjoyedthecombingandtrimmingupwhichshereceivedathishands,whilehepreparedforthegreatoccasion。
WhenthemorningofSeptember28tharrived,thetownwasallastir,andtheFairgroundalivelyscene。Theairwasfullofthelowingofcattle,thetrampofhorses,squealingofindignantpigs,andclatteroftongues,aspeopleandanimalsstreamedinatthegreatgateandfoundtheirproperplaces。Ouryoungfolkswereinahighstateofexcitement,astheyrumbledawaywiththeirtreasuresinahay—cart。TheBunny—housemighthavebeenacageoftigers,sorampantwerethecatsatthisnewmove。OldBun,inasmallbox,broodedovertheinsultoftherefrigerator,andlookedasfierceasarabbitcould。Gushadacoopofrarefowls,whocluckedwildlyalltheway,whileRalph,withthebustinhisarms,stoodupinfront,andJillandMollyborethepreciousbedquilt,astheysatbehind。
Theseobjectsofinterestweresoonarranged,andthegirlswenttoadmireMerry\'sgoldenbuttercupsamongthegreenleaves,underwhichlaytheicethatkepttheprettyflowersfresh。Theboysweredownbelow,wherethecacklingwasveryloud,butnotloudenoughtodrownthesonorousbraywhichsuddenlystartledthemasmuchasitdidthehorsesoutside。Ashoutoflaughterfollowed,andawaywentthelads,toseewhatthefunwas,whilethegirlsranoutonthebalcony,assomeonesaid,\"It\'sthatrogueofaGrifwithsomenewjoke。\"
Itcertainlywas,and,tojudgefromthepealsofmerriment,thejokewasagoodone。Inatthegatecameatwo—headeddonkey,riddenbyGrif,ingreatspiritsathissuccess,forthegate—keeperlaughedsoheneverthoughttoaskfortoll。Atrainofboysfollowedhimacrosstheground,lostinadmirationoftheanimalandtheclevernessofherrider。AmongthestagepropertiesoftheDramaticClubwastheoldass\'sheadonceusedinsometableauxfrom\"MidsummerNight\'sDream。\"ThisGrifhadmendedup,andfastenedbymeansofstrapsandacollartopoorGraciosa\'sneck,hiding~workwitharedclothoverherback。Oneeyewasgone,buttheotherstillopenedandshut,andthelongearswaggedbymeansofstrings,whichheslylymanagedwiththebridle,sotheartificialheadlookedalmostasnaturalastherealone。ThefunniestthingofallwastheinnocentairofGraciosa,andthemildlyinquiringexpressionwithwhichshenowandthenturnedtolookatortosmellofthenewornamentasifsherecognizedafriend\'sface,yetwasperplexedbyitswantofanimation。Sheventedherfeelingsinabray,whichGrifimitated,convulsingallhearersbythesoundaswellasbythewinktheoneeyegave,andthedrollwaggleofoneerectear,whiletheotherpointedstraightforward。
Thegirlslaughedsoattheridiculoussightthattheynearlyfellovertherailing,andtheboyswereinecstasies,especiallywhenGrif,emboldenedbyhissuccess,trottedbrisklyroundtherace—course,followedbythecheersofthecrowd。Excitedbythenoise,Graciosadidherbest,tillthefalsehead,loosenedbytherapidmotion,slippedroundunderhernose,causinghertostopsosuddenlythatGrifflewoff,alightingonhisownheadwithaviolencewhichwouldhavekilledanyotherboy。Soberedbyhisdownfall,hedeclinedtomountagain,butledhissteedtoreposeinashed,whileherejoinedhisfriends,whowerewaitingimpatientlytocongratulatehimonhislatestandbestprank。
TheCommitteewenttheirroundssoonafter,and,whenthedoorswereagainopened,everyonehurriedtoseeiftheirarticleshadreceivedapremium。Acardlayonthebuttercups,andMrs。Grantwasfullofpridebecauseherbutteralwaystookaprize,andthisprovedthatMerrywaswalkinginhermother\'ssteps,inthisdirectionatleast。Anothercardswungfromthebluequilt,forthekindlyjudgesknewwhomadeit,andweregladtopleasethelittlegirl,thoughseveralothersascuriousbutnotsoprettyhungnearby。Thecatswereadmired,but,astheywerenotamongtheanimalsusuallyexhibited,therewasnoprizeawarded。Gushopedhishenswouldgetone;hutsomebodyelseoutdidhim,tothegreatindignationofLauraandLotty,whohadfedthewhitebiddiesfaithfullyformonths。Jackwassurehisrabbitwasthebiggestthere,andwenteagerlytolookforhispremium。ButneithercardnorBunweretobeseen,fortheoldrascalhadescapedforthelasttime,andwasneverseenagain;whichwasagreatcomforttoJack,whowasheartilytiredofhim。
Ralph\'sbustwasthebestofall,fornotonlydiditgetaprize,andwasmuchadmired,butalady,whofoundJillandMerryrejoicingoverit,wassopleasedwiththetruthandgraceofthelittlehead,thatsheaskedabouttheartist,andwhetherhewoulddooneofherownchild,whowassodelicateshefearedhemightnotlivelong。
Merrygladlytoldthestoryofherambitiousfriend,andwenttofindhim,thathemightsecuretheorder。Whileshewasgone,Jilltookupthetale,gratefullytellinghowkindhehadbeentoher,howpatientlyheworkedandwaited,andhowmuchhelongedtogoabroad。Fortunatelytheladywasrichandgenerous,aswellasfondofart,andbeingpleasedwiththebust,andinterestedintheyoungsculptor,gavehimtheorderwher~hecame,andfilledhissoulwithjoybyadding,that,ifitsuitedherwhendone,itshouldbeputintomarble。Shelivedinthecity,andRalphsoonarrangedhisworksothathecouldgiveuphisnoonhour,andgotomodelthechild;foreverypennyhecouldearnorsavenowwasveryprecious,ashestillhopedtogoabroad。
Thegirlsweresodelightedwiththisgoodfortune,thattheydidnotstayfortheraces,butwenthometotellthehappynews,leavingtheboystocareforthecats,andenjoythevariousmatchestocomeoffthatday。
\"I\'msogladItriedtolookpleasantwhenIwaslyingontheboardwhileRalphdidmyhead,forthepleasantnessgotintotheclayface,andthatmadetheladylikeit,\"saidJill,asshelayrestingonthesofa。
\"Ialwaysthoughtitwasadear,brightlittleface,butnowIloveandadmireitmorethanever,\"criedMerry,kissingitgratefully,assherememberedthehelpandpleasureithadgivenRalph。
Chapter24DowntheRiverAfortnightlater,theboyswerepickingapplesonegoldenOctoberafternoon,andthegirlswerehurryingtofinishtheirwork,thattheymightgoandhelptheharvesters。ItwassixweeksnowSincethenewschoolbegan,andtheyhadlearnedtolikeitverymuch,thoughtheyfoundthatitwasnotallplay,byanymeans。Butlessons,exercise,andvarioussortsofhouseworkmadeanagreeablechange,andtheyfeltthattheywerelearningthingswhichwouldbeusefultothemalltheirlives。Theyhadbeenmakingunderclothesforthemselves,andeachhadseveralneatlyfinishedgarmentscut,fitted,andsewedbyherself,andtrimmedwiththeprettytattingJillmadeinsuchquantitieswhileshelayonhersofa。
Nowtheywerecompletingnewdressingsacks,andhadenjoyedthisjobverymuch,aseachchoseherownmaterial,andsuitedherowntasteinthemaking。Jill\'swaswhite,withtinyscarletleavesalloverit,trimmedwithredbraidandbuttonssolikecheckerberriesshewastemptedtoeatthem。Molly\'swasgay,withbouquetsofeverysortofflower,scallopedallround,andadornedwithsixbuttons,eachofadifferentcolor,whichshethoughtthelasttouchofelegance。Merry\'s,thoughthesimplest,wasthedaintiestofthethree,beingpaleblue,trimmedwithdelicateedging,andbeautifullymade。
Mrs。MinothadbeenreadingfromMissStrickland\'s\"QueensofEngland\"whilethegirlsworked,andanillustratedSliakspearelayopenonthetable,aswellasseveralfinephotographsofhistoricalplacesforthemtolookatastheywentalong。Thehourwasovernow,theteachergone,andthepupilssettingthelaststitchesastheytalkedoverthelesson,whichhadinterestedthemexceedingly。
\"IreallybelieveIhavegotHenry\'ssixwivesintomyheadrightatlast。TwoAnnes,threeKatherines,andoneJane。NowI\'veseenwheretheylivedandheardtheirstories,IquitefeelasifIknewthem,\"saidMerry,shakingthethreadsoffherworkbeforeshefoldedituptocarryhome。
\"KingHenrytheEighthtosixspouseswaswedded,Onedied,onesurvived,twodivorced,twobeheaded,\'
wasallIknewaboutthembefore。Poorthings,whatabadtimetheydidhave,\"addedJill,pattingdowntheredbraid,whichwouldpuckerabitatthecorners。
\"KatherineParrhadthebestofit,becausesheoutlivedtheoldtyrantandsokeptherheadon,\"saidMolly,windingthethreadroundherlastbutton,asifboundtofastenitonsofirmlythatnothingshoulddecapitatethat。
\"IusedtothinkI\'dliketobeaqueenoragreatlady,andwearvelvetandjewels,andliveinapalace,butnowIdon\'tcaremuchforthatsortofsplendor。Iliketomakethingsprettyathome,andknowthattheyalldependonme,andlovemeverymuch。Queensarcnothappy,andIam,\"saidMerry,pausingtolookatAnneHathaway\'scottageassheputupthepicture,andtowonderifitwasverypleasanttohaveafamousmanforone\'shusband。
\"Iguessyourmissionaryinghasdoneyougood;minehas,andI\'mgettingtohavethingsmyownwaymoreandmoreeveryday。MissBatissoamiable,Ihardlyknowher,andfathertellshertoaskMissMollywhenshegoestohimfororders。Isn\'tthatfun？\"
laughedMolly,inhighglee,attheagreeablechange。\"Ilikeiteversomuch,butIdon\'twanttostaysoallmydays。Imeantotravel,andjustassoonasIcanIshalltakeBooandgoallroundtheworld,andseeeverything,\"sheadded,wavinghergaysack,asifitweretheflagshewasabouttonailtothemastheadofhership。
\"Well,Ishouldliketobefamousinsomeway,andhavepeopleadmiremeverymuch。I\'dliketoact,ordance,orsing,orbewhatI
heardtheladiesatPebblyBeachcalla\'queenofsociety。\'ButI
don\'texpecttobeanything,andI\'mnotgoingtoworryIshallnotbeaLucinda,soIoughttobecontentedandhappyallmylife,\"
saidJill,whowasveryambitiousinspiteofthenewlyacquiredmeekness,whichwasallthemorebecomingbecausehernaturallivelinessoftenbrokeoutlikesunshinethroughaveiloflightclouds。
Ifthethreegirlscouldhavelookedforwardtenyearstheywouldhavebeensurprisedtoseehowdifferentafatewastheirsfromtheoneeachhadchosen,andhowhappyeachwasintheplaceshewascalledtofill。Merrywasnotmakingtheoldfarmhousepretty,butlivinginItaly,withayoungsculptorforherhusband,andbeautysuchassheneverdreamedofallabouther。Mollywasnottravellingroundtheworld,butcontentedlykeepinghouseforherfatherandstillwatchingoverBoo,whowasbecomingherprideandjoyaswellascare。NeitherwasJillafamouswoman,butaveryhappyandusefulone,withthetwomothersleaningonherastheygrewold,theyoungmenbetterforherinfluenceoverthem,manyfriendstoloveandhonorher,andacharminghome,whereshewasqueenbyrightofhercheeryspirit,gratefulheart,andunfailingdevotiontothosewhohadmadeherwhatshewas。
Ifanycuriousreader,notcontentwiththispeepintofuturity,asks,\"DidMollyandJillevermarry？\"wemustreply,forthesakeofpeace——Mollyremainedamerryspinsterallherdays,oneoftheindependent,brave,andbusycreaturesofwhomthereissuchneedintheworldtohelptakecareofotherpeoples\'wivesandchildren,anddothemanyusefuljobsthatthemarriedfolkhavenotimefor。
Jillcertainlydidwearawhiteveilonthedayshewastwenty—fiveandcalledherhusbandJack。Furtherthanthatwecannotgo,excepttosaythatthisleapdidnotendinacatastrophe,likethefirstonetheytooktogether。
Thatday,however,theyneverdreamedofwhatwasinstoreforthem,butchatteredawayastheycleareduptheroom,andthenranoffreadyforplay,feelingthattheyhadearneditbyworkwelldone。Theyfoundtheladsjustfinishing,withBootohelpbypickingupthewindfallsforthecider—heap,afterhehadamusedhimselfbyputtingaboutabusheldownthevariousholesoldBunhadleftbehindhim。Jackwasriskinghisneckclimbinginthemostdangerousplaces,whileFrank,withalong—handledapple—picker,nippedoffthefinestfruitwithcare,bothenjoyingthepleasanttaskandfeelingproudofthehandsomeredandyellowpilesallaboutthelittleorchard。MerryandMollycaughtupbasketsandfelltoworkwithalltheirmight,leavingJilltosituponastoolandsorttheearlyapplesreadytouseatonce,lookingupnowandthentonodandsmileathermotherwhowatchedherfromthewindow,rejoicingtoseeherlasssowellandhappy。
Itwassuchalovelyday,theyallfeltitscheerfulinfluence;forthesunshonebrightandwarm,theairwasfullofaninvigoratingfreshnesswhichsoonmadethegirls\'faceslooklikerosyapples,andtheirspiritsasgayasiftheyhadbeenstealingsipsofnewciderthroughastraw。Jackwhistledlikeablackbirdasheswungandbumpedabout,Frankoratedandjoked,MerryandMollyranracestoseewhowouldfillandemptyfastest,andJillsungtoBoo,whoreposedinabarrel,exhaustedwithhislabors。
\"Thesearethelastofthepleasantdays,andweoughttomakethemostofthem。Let\'shaveonemorepicnicbeforethefrostspoilstheleaves,\"saidMerry,restingaminuteatthegatetolookdownthestreet,whichwasaglorifiedsortofavenue,withbrilliantmaplesliningthewayandcarpetingthegroundwithcrimsonandgold。
\"Oh,yes！GodowntheriveroncemoreandhavesupperontheIsland。Icouldn\'tgotosomeofyourpicnics,andIdolongforalastgoodtimebeforewintershutsmeupagain,\"criedJill,eagertoharvestallthesunshineshecould,forshewasnotyetquiteheroldselfagain。
\"I\'myourman,iftheotherfellowsagree。Wecan\'tbarreltheseupforawhile,soto—morrowwillbeaholidayforus。Bettermakesureofthedaywhileyoucan,thisweathercan\'tlastlong\";andFrankshookhisheadlikeoneonintimatetermswithOldProb。
\"Don\'tworryaboutthosehighones,Jack。Giveashakeandcomedownandplanabouttheparty,\"calledMolly,throwingupabigBaldwinwithwhatseemedaremarkablygoodaim,forashowerofapplesfollowed,andaboycametumblingearthwardtocatchonthelowestboughandswingdownlikeacaterpillar,exclaiming,ashelanded,\"I\'mgladthatjobisdone！I\'veraspedeveryknuckleI\'vegotandwornoutthekneesofmypants。Nicelittlecropthough,isn\'tit？\"
\"Itwillbenicerifthisyoungmandoesnotbiteeveryapplehetouches。Hithere！Stopit,Boo,\"commandedFrank,ashecaughthisyoungassistantputtinghissmallteethintothebestones,toseeiftheyweresweetorsour。
Mollysetthebarreluponend,andthattooktheboyoutofthereachofmischief,soheretiredfromviewandpeepedthroughacrackasheatehisfifthpearmain,regardlessofconsequences。
\"Guswillbeathometo—morrow。HealwayscomesupearlyonSaturday,youknow。Wecan\'tgetonwithouthim,\"saidFrank,whomissedhismateverymuch,forGushadenteredcollege,andsofardidnotlikeitasmuchashehadexpected。
\"OrRalph;heisverybusyeveryspareminuteonthelittleboy\'sbust,whichisgettingonnicely,hesays;buthewillbeabletocomehomeintimeforsupper,Ithink,\"addedMerry,rememberingtheabsent,asusual。
\"I\'llaskthegirlsonmywayhome,andallmeetattwoo\'clockforagoodrowwhileit\'swarm。WhatshallIbring？\"askedMolly,wonderingifMissBat\'samiabilitywouldextendtomakinggoodiesinthemidstofherusualSaturday\'sbaking。
\"Youbringcoffeeandthebigpotandsomebutteredcrackers。I\'llseetothepieandcake,andtheothergirlscanhaveanythingelsetheylike,\"answeredMerry,gladandproudthatshecouldprovidethepartywithherowninvitinghandiwork。
\"I\'lltakemyzither,sowecanhavemusicaswesail,andGrifwillbringhisviolin,andRalphcanimitateabanjosothatyou\'dbesurehehadone。Idohopeitwillbefine,itissosplendidtogoroundlikeotherfolksandenjoymyself,\"criedJill,withalittlebounceofsatisfactionattheprospectofarowandramble。
\"Comealong,then,andmakesureofthegirls,\"saidMerry,catchingupherrollofwork,fortheharvestingwasdone。
Mollyputhersackonastheeasiestwayofcarryingit,and,extricatingBoo,theywentoff,accompaniedbytheboys,\"tomakesureofthefellows\"also,leavingJilltositamongtheapples,singingandsortinglikeathriftylittlehousewife。
Nextdayelevenyoungpeoplemetattheappointedplace,basketinhand。Ralphcouldnotcometilllater,forhewasworkingnowasheneverworkedbefore。Theywereamerryflock,forthemellowautumndaywasevenbrighterandclearerthanyesterday,andtheriverlookeditsloveliest,windingawayunderthesombrehemlocks,orthroughthefairylandthegaywoodsmadeoneitherside。Twolargeboatsandtwosmallonesheldthemall,andawaytheywent,firstupthroughthethreebridgesandroundthebend,then,turning,theyfloateddowntothegreenisland,whereagroveofoaksrustledtheirsereleavesandthesquirrelswerestillgatheringacorns。Heretheyoftenmettokeeptheirsummerrevels,andheretheynowspreadtheirfeastontheflatrockwhichneedednoclothbesideitsowngraylichens。Thegirlstrimmedeachdishwithbrightleaves,andmadethesupperlooklikeabanquetfortheelves,whiletheboysbuiltafireinthenookwhereashesandblackenedstonestoldofmanyarusticmeal。Thebigtincoffee—potwasnotsoromantic,butmoresuccessfulthanakettleslungonthreesticks,gypsyfashion;sotheydidnotriskadownfall,butsetthewaterboiling,andsoonfilledtheairwiththeagreeableperfumeassociatedintheirmindswithpicnics,asmostofthemnevertastedthefascinatingstuffatanyothertime,beingtheworstchildrencandrink。
Frankwascook,Gushelpedcutbreadandcake,JackandGrifbroughtwood,whileBobWalkertookJoe\'splaceandmadehimselfgenerallyuseful,astheothergentlemanneverdid,andsowasquiteoutoffavorlately。
Allwasreadyatlast,andtheywerejustdecidingtositdownwithoutRalph,whenashouttoldthemhewascoming,anddowntheriverskimmedawherryatsucharatetheboyswonderedwhomhehadbeenracingwith。
\"Somethinghashappened,andheiscomingtotellus,\"saidJill,whosatwhereshecouldseehiseagerface。
\"Nothingbad,orhewouldn\'tsmileso。Heisgladofagoodrowandalittlefunafterworkingsohardalltheweek\";andMerryshookarednapkinasawelcomingsignal。
Somethingcertainlyhadhappened,andaveryhappysomethingitmustbe,theyallthought,asRalphcameonwithflashingoars,andleapingoutastheboattouchedtheshore,ranuptheslope,wavinghishat,andcallinginagladvoice,sureofsympathyinhisdelight,\"Goodnews！goodnews！HurrahforRome,nextmonth！\"
Theyoungfolksforgottheirsupperforamoment,tocongratulatehimonhishappyprospect,andhearallaboutit,whiletheleavesrustledasifechoingthekindwords,andthesquirrelssatupaloft,wonderingwhatallthepleasantclamorwasabout。
Yes,I\'mreallygoinginNovember。Germanaskedmetogowithhimto—day,andifthereisanylittlehitchinmygettingoff,he\'lllendahand,andI——I\'llblackhisboots,wethisclay,andrunhiserrandstherestofmylifetopayforthis！\"criedRalph,inaburstofgratitude;for,independentashewas,thekindnessofthissuccessfulfriendtoadeservingcomradetouchedandwonhisheart。
\"Icallthatahandsomethingtodo！\"saidFrank,warmly,fornobleactionsalwayspleasedhim。\"Iheardmymothersaythatmakinggoodorusefulmenwasthebestsortofsculpture,soIthinkDavidGermanmaybeproudofthispieceofwork,whetherthebigstatuesucceedsornot。\"
\"I\'mveryglad,oldfellow,WhenIrunoverformytripfouryearsfromnow,I\'lllookyouup,andseehowyouaregettingon,\"saidGus,withaheartyshakeofthehand;andtheyoungerladsgrinnedcheerfully,evenwhiletheywonderedwherethefunwasinshapingclayandchippingmarble。
\"Shallyoustayfouryears？\"askedMerry\'ssoftvoice,whileawistfullookcameintoherhappyeyes。
\"Ten,ifIcan,\"answeredRalph,decidedly,feelingasifalonglifetimewouldbealltooshortfortheimmortalworkhemeanttodo。\"I\'vegotsomuchtolearn,thatIshalldowhateverDavidthinksbestformeatfirst,andwhenIcangoalone,Ishalljustshutmyselfupandforgetthatthereisanyworldoutsidemyden。\"
\"Dowriteandtellushowyougetonnowandthen;Iliketohearaboutotherpeople\'sgoodtimeswhileI\'mwaitingformyown,\"
saidMolly,toomuchinterestedtoobservethatGrifwasstickingburrsupanddownherbraids。
\"OfcourseIshallwritetosomeofyou,butyoumustn\'texpectanygreatthingsforyearsyet。Peopledon\'tgrowfamousinahurry,andittakesadealofhardworkeventoearnyourbreadandbutter,asyou\'llfindifyouevertryit,\"answeredRalph,soberingdownalittleasherememberedthelongandsteadyeffortithadtakentogetevensofar。
\"Speakingofbreadandbutterremindsmethatwe\'dbettereatoursbeforethecoffeegetsquitecold,\"saidAnnette,forMerryseemedtohaveforgottenthatshehadbeenchosentoplaymatron,asshewastheoldest。
Theboyssecondedthemotion,andforafewminutessupperwastheall—absorbingtopic,asthecupswentroundandthegoodiesvanishedrapidly,accompaniedbytheusualmishapswhichmakepicnicmealssuchfun。Ralph\'shealthwasdrunkwithallsortsofgoodwishes;andsuchsplendidpropheciesweremade,thathewouldhavefarsurpassedMichaelAngelo,iftheycouldhavecometrue。Grifgavehimanorderonthespotforafull—lengthstatueofhimself,andstooduptoshowtheimposingattitudeinwhichhewishedtobetaken,butunfortunatelyslippedandfellforwardwithonehandinthecustardpie,theotherclutchingwildlyatthecoffee—pot,whichinhospitablyburnthisfingers。
\"IthinkIgrasptheidea,andwillbesuretoremembernottomakeyourhairblowonewayandthetailsofyourcoatanother,asacertainsculptormadethoseofafamousman,\"laughedRalph,asthefallenheroscrambledup,amidstgeneralmerriment。
\"Willthelittlebustbedonebeforeyougo？\"askedJill,anxiously,feelingapersonalinterestinthesuccessofthatorder。
\"Yes:I\'vebeenhardatiteveryspareminuteIcouldget,andhaveafortnightmore。ItsuitsMrs。Lennox,andshewillpaywellforit,soIshallhavesomethingtostartwith,thoughIhaven\'tbeenabletosavemuch。I\'mtothankyouforthat,andIshallsendyouthefirstprettythingIgetholdof,\"answeredRalph,lookinggratefullyatthebrightface,whichgrewstillbrighterasJillexclaimed,\"Idofeelsoproudtoknowarealartist,andhavemybustdonebyhim。IonlywishIcouldpayforitasMrs。Lennoxdoes;butI
haven\'tanymoney,andyoudon\'tneedthesortofthingsIcanmake,\"sheadded,shakingherhead,asshethoughtoverknitslippers,wall—pockets,andcrochetinallitsforms,asofferingstoherdepartingfriend。
\"Youcanwriteoften,andtellmeallabouteverybody,forIshallwanttoknow,andpeoplewillsoonforgetmewhenI\'mgone,\"
saidRalph,lookir~gatMerry,whowasmakingagarlandofyellowleavesforJuliet\'sblackhair。
Jillpromised,andkeptherword;butthelongestletterswentfromthefarm—houseonthehill,thoughnooneknewthefacttilllongafterward。Merrysaidnothingnow,butshesmiled,withaprettycolorinhercheeks,andwasverymuchabsorbedinherwork,whilethetalkwenton。
\"IwishIwastwenty,andgoingtoseekmyfortune,asyouare,\"saidJack;andtheotherboysagreedwithhim,forsomethinginRalph\'snewplansandpurposesrousedthemanlyspiritinallofthem,remindingthemthatplaytimewouldsoonbeover,andthegreatworldbeforethem,wheretochoose。
\"Itiseasyenoughtosaywhatyou\'dlike;butthetroubleis,youhavetotakewhatyoucanget,andmakethebestofit,\"saidGus,whoseownviewswererathervagueasyet。
\"Noyoudon\'t,always;youcanmakethingsgoasyouwantthem,ifyouonlytryhardenough,andwalkrightoverwhateverstandsintheway。Idon\'tmeantogiveupmyplansforanyman;but,ifI
live,I\'llcarrythemout——youseeifIdon\'t\";andFrankgavetherockwherehelayablowwithhisfist,thatsenttheacornsflyingallabout。
OneofthemhitJack,andhesaid,sorrowfully,ashehelditinhishandsocarefullyitwasevidenthehadsomeassociationwithit,\"Edusedtosaythat,andhehadsomesplendidplans,buttheydidn\'tcometoanything。\"
\"Perhapstheydid;whocantell？Doyourbestwhileyoulive,andI
don\'tbelieveanythinggoodislost,whetherwehaveitalongorashorttime,\"saidRalph,whoknewwhatahelpandcomforthighhopeswere,andhowtheyledtobetterthings,ifworthilycherished。
\"Agreatmanyacornsarewasted,Isuppose;butsomeofthemsproutandgrow,andmakesplendidtrees,\"addedMerry,feelingmorethansheknewhowtoexpress,asshelookedupattheoaksoverhead。
Onlysevenofthepartyweresittingontheknollnow,fortheresthadgonetowashthedishesandpackthebasketsdownbytheboats。JackandJill,withthethreeelderboys,wereinalittlegroup,andasMerryspoke,GussaidtoFrank,\"Didyouplantyours？\"
\"Yes,onthelawn,andImeanitshallcomeupifIcanmakeit,\"
answeredFrank,gravely。
\"IputminewhereIcanseeitfromthewindow,andnotforgettowaterandtakecareofit,\"addedJack,stillturningtheprettybrownacorntoandfroasifhelovedit。
\"Whatdotheymean？\"whisperedMerrytoJill,whowasleaningagainstherkneeLorest。
\"TheboyswerewalkingintheCemeterylastSunday,astheyoftendo,andwhentheycametoEd\'sgrave,theplacewasallcoveredwithlittleacornsfromthetreethatgrowsonthebank。Theyeachtookupsomeastheystoodtalking,andJacksaidheshouldplanthis,forhelovedEdverymuch,youknow。Theotherssaidtheywould,too;andIhopethetreeswillgrow,thoughwedon\'tneedanythingtorememberhimby,\"answeredJill,inalowtone,thinkingofthepressedflowersthegirlskeptforhissake。
Theboysheardher,butnoonespokeforamomentastheysatlookingacrosstherivertowardthehillwherethepineswhisperedtheirlullabiesandpointedheavenward,steadfastandgreen,alltheyearround。NoneofthemcouldexpressthethoughtthatwasintheirmindsasJilltoldthelittlestory;buttheactandthefeelingthatprompteditwereperhapsasbeautifulanassuranceascouldhavebeengiventhatthedeardeadboy\'sexamplehadnotbeenwasted,fortheplantingoftheacornswasasymbolofthedesirebuddinginthoseyoungheartstobewhathemighthavebeen,andtomaketheirlivesnoblerfortheknowledgeandtheloveofhim。
\"Itseemsasifagreatdealhadhappenedthisyear,\"saidMerry,inapensivetone,forthisquiettalkjustsuitedhermood。
\"SoIsay,forthere\'sbeenaDeclarationofIndependenceandaRevolutioninourhouse,andI\'mcommander—in—chiefnow;anddon\'tIlikeit！\"criedMolly,complacentlysurveyingtheneatnewuniformsheworeofherownchoosing。
\"IfeelasifIneverlearnedsomuchinmylifeasIhavesincelastDecember,andyetIneverdidsolittle,\"addedJill,wonderingwhythemonthsofwearinessandpaindidnotseemmoredreadfultoher。
\'Well,pitchingonmyheadseemstohavegivenmeagoodshakingup,somehow,andImeantodogreatthingsnextyearinbetterwaysthanbreakingmybonescoasting,\"saidJack,withamanlyair。
\"IfeellikeaSiamesetwinwithouthismatenowyouaregone,butI\'munderordersforawhile,andmeantodomybest。Guessitwon\'tbelosttime\";andFranknoddedatGus,whonoddedbackwiththeslightlysuperiorexpressionallFreshmenwear。
\"Hopeyouwon\'tfinditso。Myworkisallcutoutforme,andI
intendtogoinandwin,thoughitismoreofagrindthanyoufellowsknow。\"
\"I\'msureIhaveeverythingtobegratefulfor。Itwon\'tbeplainsailing——Idon\'texpectit;but,ifIlive,I\'lldosomethingtobeproudof,\"saidRalph,squaringhisshouldersasiftomeetandconquerallobstaclesashelookedintotheglowingwest,wasnotfairerthanhisambitiousdreams。
Herewewillsaygood—bytothesegirlsandboysofoursastheysittogetherinthesunshinetalkingoverayearthatwastobeforevermemorabletothem,notbecauseofanyveryremarkableevents,butbecausetheywerejustbeginningtolookaboutthemastheysteppedoutofchildhoodintoyouth,andsomeoftheexperiencesofthepastmonthshadsetthemtothinking,taughtthemtoseetheuseandbeautyofthesmallduties,joys,andsorrowswhichmakeupourlives,andinspiredthemtoresolvethatthecomingyearshouldbebraverandbrighterthanthelast。
Therearemanysuchboysandgirls,fullofhighhopes,lovelypossibilities,andearnestplans,pausingamomentbeforetheypushtheirlittleboatsfromthesafeshore。Letthosewholaunchthemseetoitthattheyhavegoodhealthtomantheoars,goodeducationforballast,andgoodprinciplesaspilotstoguidethemastheyvoyagedownanever—wideningrivertothesea。