CHAPTERXV
Laddie，thePrincess，andthePie“Owhistle，andI’llcometoyou，mylad。“
CandacewasbakingtheveryfirstbatchofrhubarbpiesfortheseasonandtheodourwassotemptingIcouldn’tkeepawayfromthekitchendoor。NowCandacewasasplendidcookaboutchickengizzards——theliverwasalwaysmother’s——doughnutsandtarts，butIneverreallydidbelieveshewouldcutintoafreshrhubarbpie，evenforme。AsIreachedforthegenerousbigpieceI
thoughtofLaddiepoorLaddie，plowingawayathisCrusaderfight，andnotahintofvictory。Nooneinthefamilylikedrhubarbpiebetterthanhedid。Iknewtherewasnousetoaskforaplate。
“Wait——ohwait！“Icried。
Irantothewoodshed，pulledashiningnewshinglefromabalestackedthere，andhelditforCandace。ThenIslippedaroundthehousesoftly。Ididn’twanttorunanyone’serrandsthatmorning。Ilaidthepieonthehorseblockandclimbedthecatalpacarefully，soasnottofrightenmyrobins。Theywerepartfather’stoo，becauserobinswerehisfavouritebirds；hesaidtheirsongthroughandafterrainwasthesweetestmusiconearth，andmostlyhewasright；sotheywerenotallmyrobins，buttheyweremostmineafterhim；andIownedthetree。I
huntedthebiggestleafIcouldsee，andwipeditcleanonmyapron，althoughitwasearlyformuchdust。Itcoveredthepienicely，becauseitwasthepropershape，andIheldthestemwithonehandtokeepitinplace。
IfIhadmadethatmorningmyselfIcouldn’thavedonebetter。
Itwassunny，springair，butitwasthatcool，spicykindthatkeepsyoustoppingeveryfewminutestoseejusthowfullyoucansuckyourlungswithoutbursting。Itseemedtowashrightthroughandthroughandmakeyouallover。Thelongeryoubreatheditthecleareryourheadbecame，andthebetteryoufelt，untilyouwouldbepossessedtotryandseeifyoureallycouldn’tfly。Itriedthatlastsummer，andknockedmyselfintojelly。You’dthinkoncewouldhavebeenenough，butthereIwasgoingdowntheroadwithLaddie’spie，andwantingwithallmyhearttotryagain。
SometimesIraced，butIwasalittleafraidthepiewouldshootfromtheshingleanditwaslikepullingeyeteethtogofastthatmorning。Ilovedthesoftwarmdust，thatwasworkingupontheroad。Spat！Spat！Ibroughtdownmybarefeet，alreadyscratchedandturningbrown，andlaughedtomyselfatthevelvetyfeelofit。Therewerelittlepuddlesyet，whereMayandIhad“dippedandfaded“lastfall，anditwasfuntowadethem。Theroadsideswerecoveredwithmeadowgrassandcloverthathadslippedthroughthefence。Onslendergreenblades，inspotafterspot，twinkledthedelicatebloomofblue-eyedgrass。
NeverinallthisworldwasourBigCreeklovelier。Itwentslipping，andwhispering，andlipping，andlappingoverthestones，tuggingattherushesandgrassesasitwashedtheirfeet；everythingbesideitwasinmassesofbloom，ablackbirdwasgleamingandpreeningoneverystone，asitplumedafteritsbath。Ohthere’snousetotry——itwasjustSPRINGwhenitcouldn’tpossiblybeanybetter。
Butevenspringcouldn’tholdmeverylongthatmorning，foryouseemyheartwasalmostsickaboutLaddie；andifhecouldn’thavethegirlhewanted，atleastIcoulddomybesttocomforthimwiththepie。IwasgoingalongbeingverycarefulthemoreIthoughtabouthowhewouldlikeit，soIwasnotwatchingtheroadsofaraheadasIusuallydid。IalwayskeptalookoutforPaddyRyan，Gypsies，orWhitmore’sbull。WhenIcametoanunusuallylevelplace，andtookalongglanceahead，myheartturnedrightoverandstoppedstill，andIlookedlongenoughtobesure，andthenrightoutloudsomeonesaid，“I’llDO
something！“andasusual，Iwastheonlyonethere。
FordaysI’dbeeninaferment，likethevinegarbarrelwhentheciderboils，ortheyeastjarwhenitsetstooclosetothestove。TohaveLaddieandthePrincessseparatedwasdreadful，andknowinghimasIdid，Iknewheneverreallywouldgetoverit。Ihadtriedtohelponce，andwhatIhaddonestartedthingsgoingwrong；nowonderIwasslowaboutdecidingwhattotrynext。ThatIwasgoingtodosomething，ImadeupmymindtheinstantLaddiesaidhewasnotmadatme；thatIwashispartner，andaskedmetohelp；butexactlyWHATwoulddoanygood，tookcarefulthought。
Herewasmychancecomingrightatme。Shewasfaruptheroad，ridingMaudlikeracing。Ibegantobreatheafterawhile，likeyoualwaysdo，nomatterhowyouareworkedup，andwithmybrainwhirling，Iwentslowlytowardher。HowwouldImanagetostopher？OrwhatcouldIsaythatwouldhelpLaddie？Iwasshaking，andthat’sthetruth；butthroughandoveritall，Iwaswatchinghertoo。Ionlywishyoumighthaveseenherthatmorning。Ofcoursethemorningwaspartofit。Amorninglikethatwouldmakeafencepostbetterlooking。HalfamileawayyoucouldseeshewastipsywithspringasIwas，orthesongsparrows，orthecrazybabblingoldbobolinksonthestakesandriders。Shemadesuchabrightsplashagainstthepinkfencerow，withherdarkhair，flushedcheeks，andredlips，shetookmybreath。Fathersaidshewastheloveliestgirlinthreecounties，andLaddiestretchedthattothewholeworld。Asshecamecloser，smash！
throughmewentthethoughtthatshelookedpreciselyasShelleyhadatChristmastime；andShelleyhadbeenthatwaybecauseshewasinlovewiththePagetman。NowifthePrincesswasgleamingandflashinglikethat，forthesamereason，therewasn’tanyoneforhertolovesofarasIknew，exceptLaddie。
Thensmash！cameanotherthought。SheHADtolovehim！Shecouldn’thelpherself。Shehadallwinter，alllastsummer，andnoonebutthemselvesknewhowlongbeforethat，andwherewasthereanyothermanlikeLaddie？Ofcourseshelovedhim！Whosodeservingoflove？Whoelsehadhisdancingeyesofdeeptenderblue，cheekssopink，teethsowhite，suchwavingchestnuthair，andhisheightandbreadth？Therewasnoothermanwhocouldride，swim，leap，andwrestleashecould。Nonewhocouldsingthenotes，dothequeersumswithlettershavinglittlefiguresatthecornersinthecollegebooks，readLatinasfastasEnglish，andeventheGreekBible。Ofcourseshelovedhim！
Everyonedid！Othersmightplodandmeander，Laddiewalkedthetired，oldroadthatwentoutofsightoverthehill，withaspridefulastepasanyking；hislaughwasasmerryasthesongofthegladdestthrush，whilehistouchwassogentlethatwhenmotherwasindreadfulpainIsometimesthoughtshewouldalittleratherhavehimholdherthanfather。
Now，hewasinthisfearfultrouble，thecolourwasgoingfromhisface，hislaughwasalittlestrained，andtheheartachealmostmorethanhecouldendure——andthereshecame！Isteppedsquarelyinthemiddleoftheroadsoshewouldhavetostoporrideoverme，andwhenshewasclose，Istoodquitestill。Iwaswatchingwithmyeyes，heart，andbrain，andIcouldn’tseethatshewasprovoked，asshedrewreinandcried：“Goodmorning，LittleQueerPerson！“
IhadsupposedshewouldsayLittleSister，shehadforages，justlikeLaddie，butshemusthavethoughtitwasqueerformetostopherthatway，soshechanged。Iwasinforit。Ihadhernow，soIsmiledtheverysweetestsmilethatIcouldthinkupinsuchahurry，andsaid，“Goodmorning，“theverypolitestI
everdidinallmylife。ThenIdidn’tknowwhattodonext，butshehelpedmeout。
“Whathaveyouthere？“sheasked。
“It’sapieceoftheveryfirstrhubarbpieforthisspring，andI’mcarryingittoLaddie，“Isaid，asIliftedthecatalpaleafandletherpeep，justtoshowherhowpielookedwhenitwasright。Ibetsheneversawanicerpiece。
ThePrincessslidherhanddownMaud’snecktoquietherprancing，andleanedinthesaddle，herfacefullofinterest。I
couldn’tseeatraceofanythingtodiscourageme；herbeingonourroadagainlookedfavourable。SheseemedtothinkquiteasmuchofthatpieasIdid。Shewasthefinestlittlethoroughbred。Sheunderstoodsowell，IwassorryIcouldn’tgiveittoher。Itmadehermouthwaterallright，forshedrewadeepbreaththatsortofquivered；butitwasnouse，shedidn’tgetthatpie。
“Ithinkitlooksdelicious，“shesaid。“AreyoucarryingitforCandace？“
“No！Shegaveittome。It’smyveryown。“
“Andyou’redoingwithoutityourselftocarryittoLaddie，I’llbebound！“criedthePrincess。
“I’dmuchrather，“Isaid。
“DoyouloveLaddiesodearly？“sheasked。
Myheartwasfullofhimrightthen；IforgotallaboutwhenI
hadthefever，andasIneverhadbeentaughttolie，ItoldherwhatIthoughtwasthetruth，andIguessitWAS：“Bestofanyoneinallthisworld！“
ThePrincesslookedacrossthefield，whereshemusthaveseenhimfinishingtheplowing，andthoughtthatover，andIwaited，sureinmymind，forsomereason，thatshewouldnotgoforalittlewhilelonger。
“Ihavebeenwantingtoseeyou，“shesaidatlast。“InfactI
thinkIcamethiswayhopingI’dmeetyou。Doyouknowthewordstoatunethatgoeslikethis？“
Thenshebegantowhistle“TheMerryFarmerBoy。“Iwishyoumighthaveheardtheflourishessheputtoit。
“OfcourseIdo，“Ianswered。“Allofuswerebroughtuponit。“
“Well，Ihavesomeslightcuriositytolearnwhattheyare，“shesaid。“Wouldyoukindlyrepeatthemforme？“
“Yes，“Isaid。“Thisisthefirstverse：
“`Seethemerryfarmerboytrampthemeadowsthrough，Swinghishoeincarelessjoywhiledashingoffthedew。
Bobolinkinmaplehigh——’
“Ofcourseyoucanseeforyourselfthatthey’renot。Thereisn’tasingleoneofthemhigherthanafencepost。Thepersonwhowrotethepiecehadtoputitthatwaysohighwouldrhymewithreply，whichiscominginthenextline。“
“Isee！“saidthePrincess。
“`Bobolinkinmaplehigh，trillsanoteofgleeFarmerboyagayreplynowwhistlescheerily。’
“Thenyouwhistlethechoruslikeyoudidit。“
“Youdoindeed！“saidthePrincess。“Proceed！“
“`Thenthefarmerboyatnoon，restsbeneaththeshade，Listeningtotheceaselesstunethat’sthrillingthroughtheglade。
Longandloudtheharvestflywindshisbugleround，Long，andloud，andshrill，andhigh，hewhistlesbackthesound。’“
“Hedoes！Hedoesindeed！Ihaven’tadoubtaboutthat！“criedthePrincess。“`Long，andloud，andshrill，andhigh，’hewhistlesoverandoverthesound，untilitbecomesmaddening。Isthatallofthatmelodious，entrancingproduction？“
“No，eveningcomesyet。Thelastversegoesthisway：
“`Whenthebusyday’semploy，endsatdewyeve，Thenthehappyfarmerboy，dothhastehisworktoleave，Trudgingdownthequietlane，climbingo’erthehill，Whistlingbackthechangelesswail，ofplaintivewhip-poor-will，’——
andthenyoudothechorusagain，andifyouknowhowwellenoughyouwhistlein，`whip-poor-will，’’tilthebirdswillansweryou。
Laddieoftenmakesthem。“
“Mylife！“criedthePrincess。“Wasthathedoingthosebirdcries？Why，Ihunted，andhunted，andsodidfather。We’dneverseenawhip-poor-will。Justfancyus！“
“Ifyou’donlylookedatLaddie，“Isaid。
“Mypatience！“criedthePrincess。“Lookedathim！Therewasnoplacetolookwithoutseeinghim。Andthatear-splittingthingwillringinmyheadforever，Iknow。“
“Didhewhistleittoohightosuityou，Princess？“
“Hewasperfectlywelcometowhistleashechose，“shesaid，“andalsotoplowwiththecarriagehorses，andtobedeckthemandhimselfwiththemodest，shrinkingredtulipandyellowdaffodil。“
NowanyoneknowsthattulipsanddaffodilsareNOTmodestandshrinking。Ifanyflowersjustblazeandscreamcolourclearacrossagarden，theydo。Shewasprovoked，youcouldseethat。
“Well，heonlydidittopleaseyou，“Isaid。“Hedidn’tcareanythingaboutit。Heneverplowedthatwaybefore。Butyousaidhemustn’tplowatall，andhejusthadtoplow，therewasnoescapingthat，sohemadeitasfineandhappyaspossibletoshowyouhownicelyitcouldbedone。“
“Greatlyobliged，I’msure！“criedthePrincess。“Heshowedme！
Hecertainlydid！Andsohefeelsthatthere’s`noescaping’
plowing，doeshe？“
ThenIknewwhereIwas。I’dhavegiveneverycentofmineinfather’schesttill，ifmotherhadbeeninmyplace。Once，forasecond，IthoughtI’daskthePrincesstogowithmetothehouse，andletmothertellherhowitwas；butifshewouldn’tgo，androdeaway，IfeltIcouldn’tendureit，andanyway，shehadsaidshewaslookingforme；soIgrippedtheshingle，duginmytoesandwentatherjustasnearlylikemothertalkedtoherfatherasIcouldremember，andI’dbeenputthroughmemorytests，anddescriptivetests，nearlyeverynightofmylife，soI
hadmostofitasstraightasastring。
“Well，yousee，heCAN’Tescapeit，“Isaid。“He’ddoanythinginallthisworldforyouthathepossiblycould；buttherearesomethingsnomanCANdo。“
“Ididn’tsupposetherewasanythingyouthoughtLaddiecouldn’tdo，“shesaid。
“Alittletimeback，Ididn’t，“Ianswered。“Butsincehetookthecarriagehorses，trimmedupinflowers，andsangandwhistledsobravely，dayafterday，whenhisheartwasfulloftears，whyIlearnedthattherewassomethinghejustCOULDN’TDO；NOTTO
SAVEHISLIFE，ORHISLOVE，OREVENTOSAVEYOU。“
“Andofcourseyoudon’tmindtellingmewhatthatis？“coaxedthePrincessinhermostwheedlingtones。
“Notatall！Hetoldourfamily，andIheardhimtellyourfather。Thethinghecan’tdo，noteventowinyou，istobeshutupinalittleoffice，inacity，wherethingsroar，andsmell，andnothingislikethis——“
Ipointedouttheorchard，hill，andmeadow，soshelookedwhereIshowedher——lookedalongtime。
“No，acitywouldn’tbelikethis，“shesaidslowly。
“Andthatisn’teventhebeginning，“Isaid。“Maybehecouldbearthat，menhavebeenputinprisonandlivedthroughyearsandyearsofit，perhapsLaddiecouldtoo；Idoubtit！butanywaytheworstofitisthathejustcouldn’t，noteventosaveyou，spendalltherestofhislifetryingtosettleotherpeople’soldfusses。Hedespisesafuss。Notoneofuseverinourliveshavebeenabletomakehimquarrel，evenoneword。Hesimplywon’t。Andifhepossiblycouldbemadetobyanyoneonearth，Leonwouldhavedoneitlongago，forhecanstartafusswiththesideofabarn。Buthecan’tmakeLaddiefuss，andnobodycan。HeNEVERwouldatschool，oranywhere。OnceinawhileifamangetssooverbearingthatLaddiesimplycan’tstandit，hesays：`Now，you’lltakeyourmedicine！’Thenhepullsoffhiscoat，andcarefully，choosingtherightspots，hejustpoundsthebreathoutofthatman，butheneverstopssmiling，andwhenhehelpshimuphealwayssays：`Sorry！hopeyou’llexcuseme，butyouWOULDhaveit。’That’swhathesaidaboutyou，thatyouhadtotakeyourmedicine——“
Imadeamistakethere。Thatmadehertoomadforanyuse。
“Oh，“shecried，“Ido？I’lljollywellshowthegentleman！“
“Oh，youneedn’ttakethetrouble，“Icried。“He’sshowingyou！“
Shejustblazedlikeshe’dbreakintoflame。Anyonecouldfusswithherallright；butthatwasthelastthingonearthIwantedtodo。
“Youseehealreadyknowsaboutyou，“IexplainedasfastasI