,transcriber's notes3 ,unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed4 ,new original cover art included with this e,book is granted to the public domain4 ,illustration3 ,on the ,mountain4--,frontispiece4 ,i am going to have more than that1 now ,i am about it1 said ,sarah4 ,,on ,,the ,,mountain2 ,,or1 ,,lost ,,and ,,found4 ,,by ,,lucy ,,ellen ,,guernsey ,,author ,,of ,,irish ,,amy1 ,,opposite ,,neighbours1 ,,comfort ,,allison1 ,,the ,,tattler1 ,,nelly2 ,,or1 ,,the ,,best ,,inheritance1 ,,twin ,,roses1 ,,ethel',s ,,trial1 ,,the ,,fairchilds1 ,,the ,,sunday-,,school ,,exhibition1 ,,the ,,red ,,plant1 ,,percy',s ,,holidays1 ,,etc4 -------------------- ,,philadelphia3 ,,american ,,sunday-,,school ,,union ,,no4 #aabb ,,chestnut ,,street4 -------------------- ,,new ,,york3 ,,no4 #h ,,and #aj ,,bible ,,house1 ,,astor ,,place4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- -------- ,entered according to ,act of ,congress1 in the year #ahgb1 by the ,,american ,,sunday-,,school ,,union1 ,in the ,office of the ,librarian of ,congress1 at ,washington4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- -------- ---------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,wescott ,,thomson ,,henry ,b4 ,,ashmead ,stereotypers and ,electrotypers1 ,philada4 ,printer1 ,philada4 ,,contents4 ------------ ,,chapter ,i4 ,,fanny ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,sarah ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,consequences ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,the ,,stumbling ,,block ,,chapter ,v4 ,,danger ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,at ,,meeting ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,the ,,offence ,,given ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,sarah',s ,,plans ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,the ,,lost ,,child ,,chapter ,x4 ,,on ,,the ,,mountain ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,the ,,search ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,,repentance ,,on ,,the ,,mountain4 ------------ ,,chapter ,i4 ,,fanny4 ,,grandma1 who was that old lady you were talking with1 in the porch after church8 ,i don't know1 replied ,mrs4 ,lilly1 rather absently1 for she was thinking of the sermon she had heard1 and had to come a long way back1 as it were1 to answer ,fanny's question4 ,it was old ,mrs4 ,merrill1 ,i suppose4 ,oney1 we must send her down something this week--some flour and butter and a good piece of pork or a chicken4 ,i don't mean 'her'1 said ,fanny1 in a tone of great contempt4 ,as if ,i cared for that old beggar woman with her poke bonnet as old as the hills6 ,if you don't care for her1 you might1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly1 in a tone of some displeasure4 ,mrs4 ,merrill never begged in her life1 and she is a good ,christian woman1 though she is old and poor4 ,i desire that you will never let me hear you speak in that way of any old person again4 ,fanny flounced in her seat and stuck out her lips1 but she was too desirous of having her questions answered to sulk as she sometimes did4 ,but ,i don't mean ,mrs4 ,merrill1 grandmother3 ,i know her very well4 ,i mean that old lady with white hair put up in rolls at the sides and a large thin black shawl4 ,oh6 ,that was ,mrs4 ,cassell4 ,what6 ,mrs4 ,cassell1 who lives up in the great house on the hill8 ,well1 ,i never should have guessed that4 ,why not8 asked ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,oh1 because she was dressed so plainly and she seemed so familiar with everybody4 ,i thought ,mrs4 ,cassell was very rich and aristocratic and all that4 ,she 'is' very rich--richer than anybody about here1 but ,i don't know about the aristocracy4 ,she is a very good1 kind1 charitable woman1 and everybody likes and respects her4 ,then ,i suppose the lady and gentleman with her were ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,hugh ,brandon8 continued ,fanny1 paying little attention to her grandmother's remarks4 ,i don't think he looks so very different from other people1 if he has written books4 ,how did you expect him to look8 asked ,oney1 laughing4 ,did you expect to see him with wings8 ,they say he is very dissipated1 continued ,fanny4 ,they say he drank and gambled so and treated his wife so badly that his mother sent for her home4 ,but she would not come without her husband1 so the old lady had to take them both1 and now he doesn't do anything but lie about and smoke and chew opium all day long4 ,what nonsense6 said ,mrs4 ,lilly1 in a tone of great displeasure4 ,mr4 ,brandon is1 and always has been1 a very studious1 industrious1 religious young man4 ,i have known him all his life4 ,who has been telling you such a heap of slanders8 ,i guess ,i know1 said ,oney1 as ,fanny did not answer4 ,that sounds a good deal like one of ,mrs4 ,leyman's stories4 ,i guess ,sarah told you4 ,well1 ,i don't care if she did4 ,mrs4 ,leyman heard it from ,miss ,clark1 who does ,mrs4 ,brandon's washing sometimes1 and ,mrs4 ,cassell's too2 so ,i guess she knows all about them4 ,a good reason for telling stories about them1 because she works for them6 said ,oney4 ,miss ,clark had better look at home4 ,her own character is none too good1 for that matter4 ,let me never hear another such word from you1 ,fanny1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,i have forbidden you playing with ,sarah ,leyman before now1 and ,i tell you again not to have anything to do with her4 ,if ,i find you disobeying me again1 ,i shall punish you4 ,fanny looked very angry1 but she had learned by this time that her grandmother was not a person to be trifled with1 so she relapsed into a sulky silence1 and did not open her lips again till they reached home4 ,then she went up stairs and shut herself into her own room4 ,and when she was called to dinner1 she answered that she did not want any4 ,if ,fanny had been at home1 her mother would have been very much distressed by her refusal to eat4 ,she would have come up stairs and tried to coax her by promising all sorts of good things4 ,and when ,fanny had made fuss enough1 she would have given up and eaten her dinner with a good appetite4 ,no such thing happened on this occasion4 ,you had better come down and get your dinner1 ,i guess1 said ,oney4 ,you will be hungry before tea-time4 ,i won't1 returned ,fanny1 without turning round from the window4 ,i wish you would go away and shut the door4 ,oney did as she was desired4 ,and no sooner had she gone down stairs than ,fanny stole to the head of them to listen4 ,she says she doesn't want any dinner1 she heard ,oney say4 ,oh1 very well1 we will have ours1 answered ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,you made a chicken pie1 didn't you8 ,yes1 and some raspberry pies and gingerbread4 ,hadn't ,i better carry ,fanny something8 ,no1 replied her grandmother1 decidedly2 let her come down if she wants her dinner4 ,however1 ,i will give her another call4 ,and she opened the door so quickly that ,fanny had no time to get away4 ,you had better come down to your dinner1 ,fanny1 said she4 ,you know we shall have tea quite late on account of going to the five-o'clock meeting4 ,i don't want any dinner1 said ,fanny1 sulkily4 ,are you sick8 ,no1 but ,i don't want any dinner1 replied ,fanny1 thinking that her grandmother was going to give way and coax her1 as her mother would have done4 ,very well1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,and she shut the door without another word4 ,fanny could hear the rattle of the knives and forks1 and the conversation between her grandmother and ,oney about the sermon and the ,sunday-schools4 ,it was clear that they were not going to send her anything1 and that nobody would suffer from her perversity but herself4 ,but still she could not make up her mind to sacrifice her pride and come down stairs4 ,she was very hungry1 and very fond both of chicken and raspberry pie1 but nobody came to bring her any4 ,she thought she would try another line of conduct1 and she burst out crying and cried as loud as she could4 ,she cried till she was tired1 but nobody came near her4 ,for the truth was ,mrs4 ,lilly had grown weary of ,fanny's airs1 and had made up her mind that the girl must1 as she said1 be broken in4 ,finding that crying did no more good than sulking1 ,fanny presently stopped4 ,for as she had cried only to get her own way1 she could stop whenever she pleased4 ,she went to the head of the stairs and listened4 ,she could hear ,oney wiping up the dishes and singing-- ,awake1 my soul1 to joyful lays6 ,and she could hear the gentle creak1 creak1 of her grandmother's rocking-chair1 in which the old lady was apt to take a nap after dinner4 ,everything else was quiet about the house1 and out of doors too1 for that matter1 except the chirping of the birds1 the soft sighing of the wind1 saying hush1 hush1 in the two great pine trees behind the house1 and now and then a low or bleat from the pastures4 ,she looked out of the window4 ,oh dear1 how lonesome it is here6 she said to herself4 ,if ,i ever get back to the city again1 ,i shall know when ,i am well off4 ,there6 ,it is only two o'clock1 as the distant sound of the church clock came from the village4 ,only two o'clock1 and we shall not have tea till seven1 ,i know4 ,we never do on ,sunday nights1 because grandma and ,oney always go to that stupid meeting at the schoolhouse4 ,oh dear1 how hungry ,i am6 ,i shall starve if ,i don't have something before tea-time4 ,i mean to go down and ask grandma for something to eat4 ,no1 ,i believe ,i will ask ,oney first4 ,fanny went down to the kitchen1 where she found everything in order and ,oney sitting by the shady window reading her ,bible4 ,oney hardly ever read any book but her ,bible on ,sunday1 because she said she did not have time to read all she wanted of it any other day4 ,oney1 ,i want something to eat1 said ,fanny1 decidedly4 ,get me some raspberry pie and gingerbread and a drink of milk directly4 ,that isn't the way to ask for it1 said ,oney1 quietly4 ,besides1 if you want anything to eat1 you must ask your grandma4 ,nonsense6 answered ,fanny1 loftily4 ,get me something to eat this minute1 ,oney1 or you will be sorry4 ,maybe so1 said ,oney4 ,but she did not stir4 ,seeing that commanding did no good1 ,fanny tried coaxing4 ,come1 ,oney1 do give me something to eat1 and ,i will give you a real nice present4 ,you must ask your grandma1 ,fanny1 was ,oney's only reply4 ,what is the matter8 asked ,mrs4 ,lilly1 coming into the kitchen4 ,what are you crying for now1 ,fanny8 ,for ,fanny was crying again louder than ever4 ,i want my dinner6 said ,fanny1 passionately4 ,i didn't come here to be starved1 and ,i won't stand it4 ,give me my dinner1 ,i say6 ,you will not get it in that way1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,fanny screamed louder than ever4 ,fanny1 stop this minute6 said ,mrs4 ,lilly1 taking hold of ,fanny's arm in a way quite new to her4 ,are you not ashamed of yourself8--,a great girl1 fourteen years old6 ,do you think ,i am going to have my ,sunday broken up and the whole house disturbed for you8 ,stop this minute6 ,fanny obeyed1 for she was frightened4 ,now1 say ',please1 ,oney1 get me something to eat4' ,please get me something to eat1 repeated ,fanny1 meekly4 ,get her a bowl of bread and milk1 ,oney1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,i don't want bread and milk2 ,i want some pie1 sobbed ,fanny4 ,you cannot have any pie1 and if you say any more1 you will not have any bread and milk1 said her grandmother4 ,when you have eaten it1 go back to your room1 and let me hear no more noise4 ,you have made yourself ridiculous enough for one day4 ,fanny ate her bread and milk and went back to her room1 feeling very crest-fallen indeed4 ,never in all her short life had she suffered such a taking down4 ,she had been for twelve years the only child at home4 ,her father was away at his business from morning till night1 and her mother never restrained ,fanny in the least4 ,mrs4 ,lilly1 the younger1 had some new-fashioned theories on the bringing up of children4 ,she thought they should never be punished1 for fear of making them slaves1 nor restrained from saying all they pleased1 lest they should become sly1 nor checked in eating1 drinking1 or play1 for fear they should think too much of these things1 nor taught anything they did not wish to learn1 lest their brains should be overtaxed1 or they should take a dislike to learning4 ,she had practiced all these theories on ,fanny1 and had not found much trouble so long as the child stayed in the nursery4 ,but when ,fanny was twelve years old1 she had a little brother born1 and by and by a little sister1 so that she found herself a person of much less consequence than she had ever been before4 ,the faults which had seemed to her mother of little or no consequence when she was alone were now found very inconvenient and disagreeable4 ,it was not at all pleasant to have ,fanny saying before company whatever came into her head1 and interrupting and contradicting her elders without scruple1 or screaming and throwing herself down on the ground in the public street so that the policeman came to see what the matter was1 or running away from school to play about the street and spend in sweet things the money she had taken from her mother's purse4 ,in short1 ,fanny was found to be a very naughty1 troublesome little girl4 ,and when her mother's health failed and it was decided that she must travel in ,europe1 the nurse told the doctor that there would be no use in ,mrs4 ,lilly's going abroad unless ,fanny stayed at home4 ,she will keep her mother in a constant worry about her from morning till night1 and she will be in mischief from the time she goes away till the time she comes home again4 ,i would not have the charge of her on shipboard for a thousand dollars1 and if she is going1 ,i am not4 ,she is more trouble than the babies ten times over4 ,i believe you are right1 said the doctor1 who knew ,fanny well4 ,but what can be done with the child8 ,if her grandmother could take her1 it would be the very best thing that would happen to ,fanny1 said the nurse4 ,mrs4 ,lilly is an excellent1 sensible woman4 ,she would be kind to ,fanny1 and bring her into order if anybody can4 ,i don't blame the child so much as ,i do some other folks1 but she is just as hard to manage as if it were all her own fault4 ,i will talk to ,mr4 ,lilly about the matter1 said the doctor4 ,i think you are right1 nurse4 ,it will never do for ,fanny to go with her mother4 ,and if the old lady is willing1 she is just the person to take charge of the child4 ,there was a terrible scene with ,fanny when she found that she was to go to her grandmother's in the country instead of going abroad with her father and mother4 ,but her father was firm1 and for once her mother did not interfere4 ,there was no help for it4 ,go she must1 and she comforted herself by thinking that at least she should do as she pleased at her grandmother's1 and be a very great lady indeed4 ,but here1 too1 she found herself disappointed4 ,mrs4 ,lilly was very kind to ,fanny and very forbearing with her1 remembering how much she had been indulged at home4 ,but she very soon saw that it would be necessary to assert her own authority and make ,fanny submit4 ,she was sorry that the contest should come on a ,sunday1 but there seemed no help for it4 ,and she hoped that ,fanny would herself see the folly as well as the naughtiness of her conduct1 and try to do better4 ,mrs4 ,lilly was quite an old lady4 ,she lived by herself in the old red farm-house which stood in the very middle of her large farm1 with no company but ,oney1 the ,indian woman whom she had brought up from a baby1 and a little boy whom she had taken from the poorhouse4 ,the man who helped manage her farm and took a part of it on shares lived in a little house down on the roadside just by the gate of the lane that led to the farm-house4 ,mrs4 ,lilly's house was a long1 low1 red wooden building1 and from the door one could see for a long distance1 for the farm lay high up on the side of the mountain4 ,the house was very plain and not specially convenient1 but it was cool in summer and warm in winter4 ,it had abundance of closets and store-rooms1 and from all the windows up stairs and down there was something pleasant to be seen4 ,when the slate quarry was discovered and leased for so much money1 many people thought that ,mrs4 ,lilly would build a new house or come down and live in the village1 but the old lady did neither4 ,when her friends asked her about it1 she said the old house would last her time2 that she had come thither as a bride more than fifty years before and had lived there ever since1 and that no other place would seem like home to her4 ,when people talked to her son1 he said he should like very much to have his mother live with him 7which was quite true71 but the old lady had her own fancies1 and he thought it best to let her have her own way1 which was a very good thing1 as she would undoubtedly have had it at any rate4 ,both ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,lilly were very loving and dutiful to their mother1 and wrote to her every week4 ,her son sent her plenty of books and papers1 and fine tea and coffee such as he knew she liked1 and her daughter made her pretty caps and shawls1 and sent her rare green-house plants1 and everybody was contented all round4 ,but ,fanny was not satisfied at all in her new home4 ,in the first place1 she was really lonely4 ,she missed her school and the bustle of the streets1 and she was rather afraid of the solitude and of the great dark mountain which rose so close and steep behind the house4 ,then1 so far from being considered a young lady1 she was treated only as a little girl1 and made to behave better than she had ever done in her life4 ,then1 too1 her grandmother was surprised and distressed at the child's ignorance4 ,for ,fanny1 though she had been to a very expensive and fashionable school1 was not as far advanced at fourteen as she ought to have been at nine4 ,she could not say the multiplication table1 and knew next to nothing of ,english grammar1 though she had begun ,french and ,latin4 ,and when her grandmother told her that the world was round1 and showed her by means of a ball of yarn and a knitting needle how it turned on its axis1 ,fanny was perfectly astonished and could hardly believe it4 ,didn't you learn that in school1 ,fanny8 asked ,oney4 ,there was something about it in the geography book1 said ,fanny1 but ,i never understood it4 ,i thought the world was shaped just like the map4 ,still1 ,fanny was not unhappy4 ,she liked the fresh air and the green fields1 she was very kindly treated1 and she found even a certain pleasure in being governed4 ,she might have had a very nice time1 if she would have been a good girl and minded her grandmother4 ,but this was just what she could not make up her mind to do4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,sarah4 ,,fanny went back to her room feeling very much vexed and a good deal ashamed4 ,she did not at all like to be conquered1 and she had certainly had very much the worst of it in her contest with her grandmother4 ,she had not only failed in getting her own way1 but she had made herself ridiculous4 ,then1 too1 she had lost a very good dinner1 a circumstance to which she was by no means indifferent4 ,how ,i wish ,i had just gone down at first6 she thought4 ,but then who would have supposed she would take one up so8 ,oh dear1 ,i wish ,i had never come here4 ,it is all the fault of that hateful old nurse and doctor4 ,i know mamma would have taken me only for them1 and ,i should be having a nice time in ,london this very day1 instead of being poked up in this lonesome place with nobody to play with but ,sarah ,leyman4 ,and now grandma says ,i must not go with her4 ,but ,i don't care1 ,i 'will' play with her4 ,mamma always let me play with anybody ,i pleased1 and ,i guess she knows4 ,i am not going to be made a slave of just because my mother is sick--so there6 ,fanny1 called ,mrs4 ,lilly from the foot of the stairs1 do you want to go to the meeting to-night8 ,now ,fanny liked very well to go to the meetings in the schoolhouse1 though she had called them stupid4 ,the walk was a very pleasant one through the woods and along the banks of the beautiful little river4 ,they were sure to see squirrels and chipmucks and perhaps a wild rabbit1 and the lambs in the pastures were so full of their pretty plays that ,fanny was never tired watching them4 ,then the old ladies who came to the meeting took a great deal of notice of her1 so that though she did not care for the services1 she rather liked to go to the ,sunday and ,thursday meetings4 ,but to-night she was just in the humour to quarrel with her bread and butter1 as ,oney said4 ,so when her grandmother asked her1 she answered shortly that she did not want to go4 ,you will be left alone in the house1 said her grandmother4 ,i would just as soon be alone as not1 returned ,fanny4 ,to be sure1 there is nothing to hurt you1 said her grandmother1 but ,i thought you might be afraid4 ,however1 you can do just as you please4 ,i mean to do as ,i please1 thank you1 said ,fanny1 under her breath4 ,mrs4 ,lilly1 seeing that ,fanny was still out of humour1 said no more1 but shut the door1 and presently went out with ,oney4 ,fanny watched them across the fields4 ,and when they were quite out of sight1 she went down stairs into the pantry4 ,i don't care2 ,i mean to have some of that raspberry pie1 anyhow1 said she4 ,but in vain did she search2 she could find neither pie nor cake4 ,mrs4 ,lilly was not in the habit of locking up such things1 but she had reason to think that ,fanny helped herself slyly to a good deal more than was good for her1 and she had taken the precaution before she went out to lock the door of the milkroom4 ,fanny stamped her foot with vexation4 ,just like her1 the stingy old thing6 ,i don't care2 ,i will have some in spite of her4 ,some of what8 asked a voice behind her4 ,fanny started violently1 and turned round in a hurry to see ,sarah ,leyman standing in the kitchen door4 ,how you frightened me6 exclaimed ,fanny1 in an angry tone4 ,yes1 you jumped as if you had been shot1 returned ,sarah1 laughing4 ,i saw your folks going to meeting1 and ,i knew you would be alone4 ,but what is the matter8 ,what have you been crying about8 ,fanny poured out the story of her wrongs with many exaggerations4 ,what a shame6 said ,sarah4 ,folks think ,mrs4 ,lilly is such a good woman1 too6 ,well1 ,i suppose she is1 said ,fanny1 but ,i think she is too bad to treat me so4 ,i know there are plenty of nice things in the milkroom1 but the door is locked and ,i can't find the key anywhere4 ,isn't there any other key that will fit the door8 asked ,sarah4 ,fanny brought all the keys of the house1 but none of them fitted4 ,can't we climb in at the window8 asked ,sarah4 ',i' can1 ,i know4 ,you can't1 bemuse there are bars across it4 ,bother6 ,sarah stood considering for a minute1 and then1 as if struck with a sudden thought1 she ran out at the kitchen door4 ,fanny followed her1 and found her standing at the side of the milkroom4 ,this room was a lean-to built on the north side of the house1 and two or three of the clapboards were so arranged as to turn edgewise like window-blinds to let the cool air in on the milk4 ,sarah was peeping through these boards4 ,just look there6 said she as ,fanny came up4 ,fanny peeped in1 in her turn1 and saw a whole raspberry pie standing on the broad shelf4 ,while she was looking1 ,sarah slipped off the jacket she wore1 and thrusting her bare arm through the slats1 she pulled out the pie and held it up in triumph4 ,well1 ,i declare6 said ,fanny1 half pleased and half scared4 ,i am going to have more than that1 now ,i am about it1 said ,sarah4 ,and again putting her hand through the slats1 she pulled out a large cake of gingerbread4 ,as she drew back her hand1 however1 she hit the gingerbread against the edge of the slat and broke off a bit1 which fell into the milk4 ,that was smart6 exclaimed ,fanny4 ,what will you do now8 ,let it alone1 to be sure1 replied ,sarah4 ,but grandma will find it when she skims the milk4 ,well1 let her4 ,she won't know how it came there1 will she8 ,here1 hold the things while ,i put on my jacket4 ,fanny did not quite relish ,sarah's tone of command1 but she did not know how to object1 and she did as she was told4 ,come now6 said ,sarah1 when she had put on her jacket and closed up the slats again4 ,let's go up to the spring and have a good time4 ,but suppose grandma comes and catches us before we get through2 what shall we do then8 asked ,fanny4 ,she won't come home this hour and more1 goosey4 ,meeting is not out till six1 and it is only five now4 ,besides1 she always stops to talk to every one4 ,come along6 ,i wish you would not call me names1 ,sarah ,leyman1 said ,fanny1 angrily4 ,i am not used to it4 ,nonsense1 child6 ,who minds being called a goose8 ,come along1 and don't waste all the time4 ,i won't go up to the spring2 it is too far1 said ,fanny4 ,you can go if you like1 and ,i will eat my piece here4 ',your' piece6 returned ,sarah1 in a taunting tone4 ,your piece1 indeed6 ,i should like to know how it comes to be yours4 ,do you think ,i am going to steal pies and cakes for 'you'8 ,sarah ,leyman1 if you don't give me a piece of pie this minute1 ,i will tell grandma the instant she comes home4 ,oh1 you will8 ,and tell her too how you told me where all the things were1 and how you got all the keys to try the door1 and how you ran away and went down to the village the other day1 and then said you had been playing down by the brook all the time4 ,oh1 said ,sarah1 you will make a fine figure telling of me4 ,suppose ,i tell of you2 what then8 ,fanny burst into tears4 ,oh1 come1 don't cry1 said ,sarah1 changing her tone4 ,i was only in fun--only you see1 ,fanny1 ,i don't like to hear you talk of telling of me as if ,i had been the only one to blame4 ,come1 let us go up to the spring and have a nice time1 and ,i will tell you what ,i heard ,miss ,clarke tell mother about the ,brandons4 ,fanny did not feel at all satisfied1 but she dried her tears and followed ,sarah through the garden and a small field beyond it1 and then a little way up the path which ascended the mountain1 till they came to the spring4 ,it was a beautiful place4 ,just at the foot of a high1 steep ledge of rocks was a little mossy dell shaded by great pine and spruce trees1 mixed with graceful white-stemmed birches4 ,the ground was covered with moss and ferns1 and scattered over its surface lay several large rocks covered with lovely green and brown mosses4 ,the spring came running out of the very heart of the mountain1 as it seemed1 about four feet from the ground1 in a stream as large as a man's wrist4 ,and making a pretty little cascade as it fell down the stones1 it slipped away among the roots of the great trees to join the river below4 ,almost all day long this little glen was in shadow1 but as the sun got low in the sky1 it shone in and lighted everything beautifully4 ,the girls sat down on a stone side by side1 and ,sarah divided the pie with a knife which she took out of her pocket4 ,take care6 ,don't drop the juice on your dress1 said she4 ,here1 wait till ,i make you a dish4 ,how will you make a dish8 asked ,fanny4 ,you'll see1 said ,sarah4 ,and going to the nearest birch tree1 she cut round the bark and peeled it off in a broad sheet4 ,then turning up the edges1 she made of it a very nice square dish and handed it to ,fanny4 ,how pretty6 exclaimed ,fanny4 ,but won't it hurt the tree to take the bark off so8 ,oh no2 it won't hurt the tree so long as you don't cut down through the soft wood1 replied ,sarah4 ,i have heard ,aunt ,sally say that when the country was new the school children used to learn to write on birch bark4 ,how funny6 ,won't any other bark do as well8 ,no2 other trees won't peel as the birch does4 ,how much you do know about such things6 remarked ,fanny4 ,well1 ,i ought to know4 ,i don't know anything else4 ,there was a bitterness in ,sarah's tone which made ,fanny look up in surprise4 ,it does make me mad1 continued ,sarah1 to see how other girls can go to school and have books at home1 and all--such fools as some of them are too--and ,i never have a chance4 ,it is too bad6 ,but you might go to school1 said ,fanny4 ,yes1 ,i look like it1 don't ,i8 returned ,sarah1 scornfully4 ,my clothes are so nice6 ,i think ,i see myself going down to the ,union school among all the young ladies1 and being put into the baby-room to spell along with the little ones4 ,i did use to go sometimes when we had the old district school up at the ,corners1 but it is altogether another thing now4 ,fanny did not know what to say to this1 so she was silent1 and went on eating her pie4 ,i tell you what1 said ,sarah3 if ,i had your chance1 ,fanny ,lilly1 ,i wouldn't be such a dunce as you are4 ,what do you mean8 asked ,fanny1 surprised4 ,i mean just what ,i say4 ,here you have been to school all your life and had good people to bring you up1 and you have had1 ,i dare say1 hundreds of dollars spent on your schooling already1 and what do you amount to8 ,i don't see that you know much more than ,i do1 and you are just as ready to get into any sort of mischief as ,i am4 ,i suppose your folks are pious and believe in the ,bible1 and you have been to ,sunday-school all your life and learned the commandments1 and everything1 haven't you8 ,of course1 replied ,fanny2 ,i began to go to the infant school before ,i can remember1 and ,i could say all the catechism before ,i went into the intermediate room4 ,we have such splendid ,sunday-school rooms at our church in ,boston--larger than the church is here1 with a gallery all round it for the ,bible classes1 and the walls all hung with pictures1 and with painted texts and with cushioned seats that turn like those in the cars4 ,and ,fanny went on describing the beauties and glories of her ,sunday-school room1 and1 ,i am sorry to say1 stretching the truth a good deal in order to show ,sarah how much superior was everything in ,boston to everything anywhere else4 ,sarah listened silently1 but with evident interest4 ,and when ,fanny had concluded1 she said1 simply1-- ,and after all that1 you are not one bit better than ,i am4 ,fanny was very much taken aback4 ,she had not expected any such answer4 ,it just shows what all that stuff is worth1 continued ,sarah1 breaking the gingerbread in two and giving ,fanny half4 ,after all that teaching and preaching and reading the ,bible and praying1 here you are 'breaking the ,sabbath1' as old ,mrs4 ,crane says1 running away to eat stolen goods on ,sunday evening when your grandmother is at meeting4 ,it just shows that you don't believe one word of it1 any more than pa does1 for all your talk4 ,i wonder if anybody does8 ,does what8 asked ,fanny4 ,believe really in the ,bible and all the minister preaches4 ,of course1 said ,fanny4 ,my father and mother do1 and so do ,i4 ,oh1 you do6 ,then1 what are you here for8 ,fanny had no answer ready4 ,she had never regarded the matter in that way before4 ,well1 never mind1 said ,sarah4 ,here we are1 and the pie is eaten up1 and there is no help for it now4 ,i wonder how they are getting on at the schoolhouse8 ,i think ,i can hear ,deacon ,crane starting the tune this minute4 ,and ,sarah began to imitate first the deacon's way of singing1 and then stammering ,mr4 ,wilson trying to make a prayer1 and so on1 till she had ,fanny in a fit of laughter1 though something told her all the time that ,sarah was doing wrong1 and that she was equally wrong to laugh at her4 ,it is getting late1 ,fanny1 said ,sarah1 checking herself suddenly4 ,hadn't you better be going home8 ,your folks will be back from meeting by this time4 ,look at the sun4 ,fanny looked1 and was startled to see how low it was in the sky4 ,they must have been home ever so long1 said she4 ,what shall we do8 ,oh1 you needn't say 'we1' returned ,sarah1 coolly4 ,it is nothing to me4 ,i've had my supper1 and ,i mean to stay up here till the moon rises1 but ,i think you had better run along4 ,but grandma will see me1 said ,fanny4 ,she will have missed me by this time1 and what shall ,i say8 ,say you got tired of staying alone and went out for a walk1 and that you didn't know how late it was1 returned ,sarah1 readily4 ,she won't think anything of that4 ,i have known her walk up here herself on a ,sunday evening4 ,but what shall we do with the plate8 ,hide it here1 returned ,sarah1 putting the plate away in a kind of little cavern under the rock on which they had been sitting4 ,there it is safe enough1 and we can have it to use again some time4 ,but what shall ,i say when they miss the pie8 ,what you please1 returned ,sarah4 ,i guess you are as well able to make up lies as ,i am to make them for you4 ,oh1 you needn't look at me6 ,didn't you tell me how you ran away from school at ,boston1 and all the rest of it8 ,come1 do run along6 ,you won't make it any better by waiting4 ,there was no help for it1 and ,fanny went on her way1 wishing a hundred times that she had stayed quietly at home4 ,as she entered the garden1 she met ,oney coming to look for her4 ,why1 ,fanny1 where have you been8 asked ,oney4 ,i got tired of staying at home and went out for a walk1 replied ,fanny4 ,i didn't know it was so late4 ,how long have you been at home8 ,about half an hour4 ,but come1 supper is almost ready4 ,mrs4 ,lilly was standing at the back door when they came in4 ,fanny repeated her story1 adding1 ,i am sorry ,i stayed so long1 grandma4 ,i never thought how late it was till ,i looked at the sun1 and then ,i hurried home as fast as ,i could4 ,there was no harm in my going far a walk1 was there8 ,fanny spoke in such a natural tone that ,mrs4 ,lilly was quite deceived4 ,why1 no1 perhaps not1 though you should not have left the house all open4 ,and besides1 you know ,i like to know where you are4 ,there is no harm done1 but ,i would rather you would not do so again4 ,i won't1 said ,fanny1 feeling a little self-reproach at the kind tone in which her grandmother spoke4 ,and1 grandma1 ,i am sorry ,i was so naughty this noon1 but ,i will never do so again if you will forgive me this time4 ,mrs4 ,lilly was pleased that ,fanny should thus confess her fault and ask pardon of her own accord4 ,i am sure ,i forgive you1 my dear1 said she1 kissing ,fanny4 ,i thought you would think better of it4 ,go1 now1 and get ready for supper4 ,oh dear6 ,i wish ,i hadn't done so6 said ,fanny as she went up stairs4 ,i wish ,i was good like grandma4 ,i believe she is good1 for all ,sarah says4 ,anyhow1 it was all ,sarah's fault4 ,she made me do it4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,consequences4 ,,fanny had only just come down stairs after washing her hands when ,oney came out of the milkroom with a very disturbed face4 ,did you see anybody about before you went away1 ,fanny8 she asked4 ,no4 ,why8 ,because somebody has been here1 and some not very honest body1 either1 answered ,oney4 ,the pie ,i set on the milk-shelf is gone1 plate and all1 and a card of gingerbread beside4 ,that is queer1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly2 nobody could get into the milkroom1 because ,i had the key in my pocket all the time4 ,i think you must be mistaken1 ,oney4 ,how many pies did you bake8 ,only two2 one we had for dinner and the other ,i set on the milk-shelf before ,i went out4 ,but nobody could have taken it1 ,oney1 because the door was locked and no one could get in without the key1 argued ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,are you sure you baked two pies8 ,now1 ,mrs4 ,lilly1 don't you think ,i know8 asked ,oney1 who did not quite like being called in question4 ,didn't you say yourself that the pie on the grate was rather overdone1 and that ,i had better heat the brick oven next time8 ,very true2 so ,i did1 replied ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,let me take a look4 ,she went into the milkroom1 and ,oney and ,fanny followed her1 ,fanny thinking it would look odd if she stayed behind4 ,the pie stood just here1 said ,oney1 marking the place1 and the gingerbread here4 ,i meant to set them up in the cupboard1 but ,i forgot it4 ,and it is so odd that nothing else is gone4 ,the loaf of cake is not touched nor any of the cheeses4 ,the pie and gingerbread were taken from the outside1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly1 who had been using her eyes while ,oney was talking4 ,don't you see the crumbs here on the shelf1 and the juice of the pie spilled on the edge of the slat8 ,somebody has turned the slats and put his hand through1 and that accounts for nothing else being taken4 ,see1 here is a piece of gingerbread in the milk4 ,how sorry ,i am ,i went away6 said ,fanny1 speaking quite naturally1 for1 ,i regret to say1 she was no novice in the art of telling lies4 ,why1 yes1 it is a pity1 though ,i don't know exactly what good you would have done1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,probably if the thief had seen anybody about1 he would not have touched the things1 said ,oney4 ,the wonder is that1 seeing the doors all open1 he did not enter the house4 ,perhaps that was the very thing that kept him out1 remarked ,fanny4 ,he might think that nobody would leave the house in that way4 ,but1 grandma1 ,i am sure ,i shut the door1 and ,i will tell you how ,i know3 because ,i came back and opened it again to let the cat go in to her kittens4 ,i noticed the open door the minute we came in sight of the house1 said ,oney4 ,who could it have been8 ,do you suppose ,willy could have meddled with them8 ,dear me1 no6 ,i hope not1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly1 looking startled4 ,willy has been such a good boy lately1 ,i should be sorry to think of his going back to his old tricks4 ,besides1 he has been away all day1 remarked ,fanny4 ,he was down at the barn when we came home1 for ,i heard him singing1 said ,oney4 ,here he comes now4 ,willy1 have you been here before to-day8 ,oney tried to speak just as usual1 but of course she did not quite succeed4 ,willy was conscious of something peculiar in her manner1 and blushed up to the roots of his hair4 ,yes1 ,i came up to get the milk-pails1 but the door was locked1 said he4 ,why8 ,some things have been taken from the milkroom--a pie and some gingerbread1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly1 adding1 kindly1 but you need not look so distressed4 ,nobody suspects you4 ,but ,oney was not quite satisfied4 ,the truth was that she had begun with a little prejudice against ,willy because ,mrs4 ,lilly had taken him from the poorhouse1 and besides that1 on his first coming to live at the farm1 ,willy had now and then been caught helping himself to sugar and cake1 and such matters4 ,how long have you been back from the village1 ,willy8 she asked4 ,i don't know2 ,i should think about an hour1 replied ,willy4 ,and what have you been doing all that time8 ,i drove up the cows1 and then ,i came to get the pails1 but the door was locked4 ,so ,i went down to the barn and did up my other chores4 ,then you didn't come into the house at all1 except to get the pails8 ,why1 yes1 ,i went up to my room to change my clothes and put away my books4 ,and you didn't see anybody about8 ,no1 of course not4 ,i didn't go round any1 only right up stairs and down again1 said ,willy1 colouring more deeply than before4 ,yes1 ,i know what you think1 ,oney4 ,you think ,i got the things1 but you are mistaken2 ,i never touched them4 ,come now1 ,oney1 he added1 in a quieter tone and smiling2 it isn't fair to put everything on me because my father wasn't very respectable4 ,you wouldn't like to have me accuse you of killing ,deacon ,crane's sheep because your father and grandfather used to take scalps1 would you8 ,oney laughed3 ,that's so1 ,willy2 ,i don't believe you had anything to do with the theft4 ,but the question is1 who had8 ,well1 we won't talk about it any more1 or let it spoil our ,sunday1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,come1 ,oney1 let us have our supper1 for ,i am sure we are all ready for it1 especially the children4 ,wash your hands and face1 ,willy1 and we will sit down4 ,when ,fanny had first come to the farm1 her dignity had been very much hurt by thus sitting down with ,oney and ,willy at the same table4 ,she had spoken to her grandmother about it1 but ,mrs4 ,lilly only smiled1 and said it had always been her habit ever since she kept house1 and she thought ,fanny would have to get used to it4 ,but ,i am not used to it1 said ,fanny1 loftily1 and ,i don't think my father would like it at all4 ,he is one of the richest men in ,boston1 and my mother belongs to one of the very first families4 ,don't be a goose1 child4 ,your father and ,oney were brought up together1 and as for your mother1 she knew all my ways before she sent you here4 ,and when she comes to visit me1 she always conforms to them1 whereby she shows her real good breeding4 ,what is good enough for her is good enough for you4 ,that was all the satisfaction ,fanny could get from her grandmother4 ,she consoled herself with thinking that1 after all1 ,oney was not a common servant1 and that none of her fine friends need know anything about the matter4 ,after tea was over1 ,mrs4 ,lilly sat down in the door to enjoy the beautiful summer evening4 ,fanny sat on the step at her feet1 and by and by ,willy came and joined them4 ,how do you like your new teacher1 ,willy8 asked ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,oh1 ever so much1 replied ,willy1 warmly4 ,only think6 ,he has been to ,jerusalem and to the ,sea of ,galilee--to the very places4 ,he told us to-day how he and a ,scotch gentleman hired a boat and went out fishing at night just like the apostles--to see how it would seem1 you know4 ,and he described the places to us1 and said he would show us some pictures of them--,i forget the name--the kind you look at through a glass1 you know4 ,stereoscopic pictures1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,mr4 ,brandon has been a great traveller4 ,and he has seen the ,dead ,sea and ,mount ,sinai and ,nazareth and ,bethlehem1 continued ,willy1 with enthusiasm4 ,i don't believe it1 said ,fanny4 ,there are no such places now as ,nazareth and ,bethlehem and those places in the ,bible2 are there1 grandma8 ,why6 exclaimed ,willy4 ,why1 ,fanny6 ,to be sure there are1 child1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly2 didn't you know that8 ,jerusalem is still a city1 though not like what it used to be1 and so are ,nazareth and ,bethlehem4 ,thousands of people go from all over the world to visit them every year4 ,i will find you a book of travels which tells all about them4 ,i must ask ,mr4 ,brandon to show me his pictures4 ,i should like to see them very much4 ,it would make the story seem very real if one could see all the places with one's own eyes1 remarked ,oney4 ,i am something like ,fanny in that4 ,i find it rather hard to believe that there is such a place as ,jerusalem1 where people are living and going about at this minute4 ,i don't suppose they are going about much just now1 remarked ,willy2 ,i suppose it is about the middle of the night there4 ,that seems strange1 too1 doesn't it1 ,fanny8 ,fanny did not answer4 ,she was very much ashamed to have exposed her ignorance before ,oney and ,willy4 ,for the ignorance itself she did not care4 ,as they sat in silence for a few minutes1 looking over the fields1 they saw a small1 active figure come down from the mountain-side and cross the pasture4 ,there goes ,sarah ,leyman1 said ,willy4 ,what a queer thing she is1 anyhow6 ,i dare say she has been roaming over the mountains all day long4 ,maybe it was ,sarah that helped herself to the pie1 remarked ,oney4 ,possibly1 though ,i don't like to think so1 replied ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,she is none too good for it1 or her father either1 said ,oney4 ,poor thing6 ,she has not had any great chance in her life1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly1 sighing4 ,well1 ,i don't know1 remarked ,oney4 ,to be sure1 her father is a downright wicked man and does not believe in anything1 but her aunt ,sally1 that she was named for1 was an excellent woman4 ,and think how many people have tried to make ,sarah go to ,sunday-school6 ,yes1 but there is the example at home all the time1 ,oney4 ,and then she has always been used to such a roving1 out-of-door life that ,i suppose she would really find it hard to settle down4 ,it is a pity1 for she is naturally very smart1 and might be as good a woman as the one for whom she was named4 ,but if you think she is so smart and might make such a good woman1 why is it you don't want me to play with her1 grandma8 asked ,fanny4 ,because1 my dear1 ,i think she is a great deal more likely to do you harm than you are to do her good4 ,she is very wild and reckless1 uses bad language1 and has many bad habits4 ,she will make fun of anything1 even of the ,bible1 said ,willy2 and she doesn't care any more about ,sunday than her father does4 ,i heard him going on the other day down at the store1 and he said he would as soon do a day's work on ,sunday as on any other day4 ,that wasn't saying much1 said ,oney1 dryly4 ,that's just what ,squire ,holden told him4 ',sam1' says he1 'you ain't very fond of doing a day's work any time1' says he4 ,then ,sam began to swear and to talk against the ,bible1 till ,squire ,holden told him either to shut up or quit the store4 ,it is no wonder that poor ,sarah doesn't amount to much1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly1 sighing again4 ,how thankful children ought to be who have good homes and kind friends to tell them what is right6 ,i guess we 'are' thankful1 said ,willy4 ,ain't we1 ,fanny8 ,of course1 said ,fanny1 but she did not feel what she said4 ,it had never yet entered her head or her heart to be thankful for anything4 ,but some children do have good homes and kind friends to teach them1 and yet they don't turn out well1 remarked ,willy4 ,they lie and swear1 and do all sorts of bad things4 ,such children are a great deal more to be blamed than poor ,sarah1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,you know1 ,willy1 the ,bible says that to whom much is given1 of him will much be required4 ,but it is growing late1 and we must be up early in the morning1 so we will have prayers and go to bed4 ,fanny was not sorry to hear this1 for she felt very uncomfortable both in mind and body4 ,she was mortified at having made such a display of her ignorance4 ,she knew that she had been very wicked1 and she was afraid of betraying herself or being found out4 ,besides1 she began to feel very sick4 ,she had eaten half a raspberry pie and a large piece of gingerbread up at the spring1 and did not want her supper in the least1 but the bread and honey and cold ham and sponge-cake and coffee were all so good1 and she was so afraid that her grandmother would suspect something wrong if she did not eat as usual1 that she made a hearty meal4 ,the consequence was that she felt very sick and her head ached violently4 ,she hastened to bed1 hoping to forget her troubles in sleep1 but she passed a restless night1 and in the morning was too ill to get up4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,the ,,stumbling ,,block4 ,,for two or three days ,fanny was pretty sick1 and did not sit up at all4 ,she was really frightened about herself1 was sure she had some dreadful disease1 and was very angry at the old doctor from the village for saying there was nothing serious the matter4 ,i guess you don't know how badly ,i feel1 said ,fanny4 ,i guess ,i have seen other little girls who had made themselves sick by eating too much of grandma's nice cakes and pies1 said the doctor1 smiling4 ,a little medicine and a few days of toast and gruel will make you all right again1 and then you must be more careful4 ,if you eat so many sweet things1 you will get the dyspepsia1 and then ,i cannot cure you4 ,fanny said no more1 for she did not like the allusion to her having eaten too much1 and she was afraid of his asking inconvenient questions4 ,she was better in a few days1 but it was a whole week before she was able to go out of the house4 ,during this time she was in a manner forced to think a little1 for she could not read all the time1 and her grandma was very busy helping ,oney in the dairy1 so ,fanny was left to herself for some hours of every day4 ,as she looked back over the time she had been at her grandmother's1 she was not pleased with herself4 ,she was conscious that1 so far from making the impression she had intended1 she had not made herself respected by anybody4 ,her grandmother had threatened to punish her1 and1 as she confessed1 not without reason4 ,willy showed himself a better scholar than herself1 and had been surprised at her ignorance1 and ,sarah ,leyman1 so far from being impressed with her superiority1 had declared that ,fanny was no better than she was1 for all her schooling4 ,all this was very disagreeable1 and made ,fanny very angry at herself and everybody else as she remembered it4 ,then again1 ,fanny's conscience was aroused4 ,she realized for the first time in her life what a naughty girl she had always been1 and she wondered1 with a shudder1 what would have become of her if she had died4 ,it was all true4 ,she was not one bit better than ,sarah ,layman4 ,but ,i am going to be better1 said ,fanny to herself4 ,i mean to read my ,bible and say my prayers and attend to the sermon and learn my ,sunday-school lessons4 ,grandma says that ,willy is a real ,christian4 ,it is a pity if ,i can't be as good as that little poorhouse boy4 ,this was not exactly a ,christian spirit1 but ,fanny did not think of that4 ,she was as good as her word1 however4 ,she read three chapters in the ,bible every day1 said all the prayers she could think of1 and felt very good indeed4 ,she went to church and ,sunday-school and to the meeting at the schoolhouse1 and was so sober and attentive that her grandmother was much pleased with her1 and told her so4 ,this set up ,fanny still more in her own conceit1 and she was wonderfully well satisfied with herself4 ,fanny1 do you ,want to take a walk this afternoon8 asked her grandmother one day when ,fanny was quite well again4 ,it is very cool and pleasant after the rain4 ,yes1 grandma1 replied ,fanny2 ,i should like it very much4 ,then there are two people suited1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly1 smiling4 ,i want you to carry this basket down to old ,mrs4 ,merrill1 and you may stop at the post-office and see if the papers have come4 ,put on your broad hat1 and don't walk to fast4 ,may ,i play in the grove a little while when ,i come back8 asked ,fanny4 ,yes1 if you like1 only don't stay too long or lose your papers4 ,fanny1 set out on her errand feeling very well pleased4 ,she went first to ,mrs4 ,merrill's and left her basket of eggs and other good things4 ,dear1 dear1 how good your grandma is to think of me6 said the old lady1 much gratified4 ,and what a nice little girl you are to do errands6 ,i suppose you are ,alvin's eldest girl1 ain't you8 ,yes1 ma'am1 answered ,fanny4 ,you look like your aunt ,eunice1 said ,mrs4 ,merrill4 ,i mean as she did at your age4 ,i never knew that ,i had an ,aunt ,eunice1 said ,fanny4 ,oh1 she died long before you were born1 my dear4 ,she was only sixteen when she died--just the age of my ,mary ,jane4 ,i remember as if it was yesterday when we had our first ,sunday-school in the village4 ,eunice and my ,mary ,jane and ,sally ,leyman and ,mrs4 ,cassell's eldest girl--her name was ,eugenia--they were all in one class1 and the next year they all joined the church the same ,sunday4 ,but ,sally was the only one who lived to be over thirty4 ,was ,aunt ,eunice pretty8 asked ,fanny4 ,why1 no1 not so very--not what folks call handsome nowadays1 but she was so sweet in all her ways that nobody ever thought of her looks after the first five minutes4 ,i don't think ,i ever saw a better girl than ,eunice ,lilly--such a consistent ,christian1 and yet nothing gloomy about her1 always ready to help on any fun there was no harm in1 but as firm as a rock when any one tried to make her join in what wasn't just right4 ,you will try to be like her1 won't you8 ,yes1 ma'am1 ,i mean to try4 ,that's right4 ,here's your basket2 and thank you very much1 and your grandma too4 ,i mean to be just like ,aunt ,eunice1 thought ,fanny as she walked up the quiet street4 ,i mean to be so good that everybody will love me and praise me1 just as they did her1 and ,i mean to set a good example to ,harry and ,nelly1 and make everybody look up to me4 ,i mean to be very good indeed1 and perhaps somebody will write my life some day4 ,fanny's musings were interrupted by hearing her own name called4 ,she looked up and saw ,mrs4 ,cassell leaning out of her carriage4 ,isn't this ,miss ,fanny ,lilly8 asked ,mrs4 ,cassell1 politely4 ,yes1 ma'am1 answered ,fanny4 ,i have some books that ,i wish to send to your grandmother1 said ,mrs4 ,cassell4 ,i intended to drive up and bring them myself1 but ,i find ,i shall be engaged to-morrow4 ,if you will get into the carriage and ride over to our house1 ,i will give you the books1 and ,hiram shall bring you down to the village again4 ,fanny got into the carriage1 and a few minutes brought her to ,mrs4 ,cassell's house4 ,it was a beautiful old mansion built of dark red bricks with trimmings of white marble1 which is very abundant in that part of the country4 ,it stood a long way back from the road1 and there were many noble old trees about it4 ,everything about the house and grounds was in perfect order1 and ,fanny thought she had never seen a prettier place in her life4 ,i must ask you to come in and wait a few minutes1 said ,mrs4 ,cassell4 ,annie shall take you to see the kittens and ,guinea pigs and the rest of her pets4 ,annie1 where are you8 ,here1 grandma1 answered a pleasant voice1 and a little girl came out of the next room4 ,she was much younger than ,fanny1 being only about seven years old4 ,she was a blue-eyed1 fair-haired1 delicate-looking child1 and was very prettily dressed in a pink frock and white apron4 ,fanny peeped through the half-opened door1 and saw that the room out of which ,annie had come was a large library4 ,this is ,miss ,fanny ,lilly1 my dear1 said ,mrs4 ,cassell2 ,miss ,fanny1 this is my granddaughter1 ,annie ,mercer1 from ,detroit1 who is come to spend the summer with me4 ,annie came forward1 like a well-bred little girl1 to speak to ,fanny4 ,but ,fanny1 like many other girls who are bold in the wrong place1 was also shy in the wrong place1 and made but a poor and awkward return4 ,you may take ,fanny to see the kittens and ,guinea pigs1 ,annie1 while ,t do up the parcels1 said ,mrs4 ,cassell1 kindly4 ,i suppose you have done all your lessons8 ,oh yes1 grandma1 and my sewing too1 answered ,annie4 ,i hemmed a yard on my cap border1 and ,aunt ,emma said it was very nicely done4 ,i have been helping ,uncle ,hugh cut the leaves of the new books4 ,come1 ,fanny4 ,do you like ,guinea pigs8 asked ,annie as she led the way along the verandah at the back of the house4 ,i don't know2 ,i don't like pigs1 anyway1 answered ,fanny4 ,annie laughed4 ,oh1 they are not real pigs1 you know1 said she4 ,they are little wee things1 and ,uncle ,hugh says they are more like rabbits than pigs4 ,see1 here they are4 ,i have to keep them shut up1 away from old puss2 he would soon eat them4 ,but he don't know any better1 you know1 added ,annie1 apologizing for pussy4 ,he thinks they are some kind of mice4 ,fanny looked down into the box1 and saw half a dozen little creatures about as large as young rabbits1 spotted with black1 brown1 and yellow4 ,all of them that were not eating were asleep1 and all that were not asleep were eating1 after the custom of ,guinea pigs4 ,are they not pretty8 said ,annie4 ,old ,mrs4 ,willson gave them to me4 ,i had only these two at first2 all the rest are young ones4 ,fanny did not care much for pets1 and she was mortified at the mistake she had made4 ,but she looked at the ,guinea pigs and said they were very pretty4 ,after all1 they are stupid little things2 you may pet and feed them ever so long1 and they never seem to care for anything but eating1 said ,annie4 ,but ,i don't suppose they are to blame for not knowing any more4 ,what will you do with them when you go home8 asked ,fanny4 ,i mean to take one pair home with me for a little lame boy who lives near our house1 and give the others away4 ,i will give you a pair if you like4 ,don't take them if you don't want them1 she added1 seeing that ,fanny hesitated2 ,i shall not be offended a bit4 ,i guess ,i won't take them1 then1 said ,fanny1 though ,i am much obliged to you all the same4 ,i am afraid ,i should forget to feed them1 or something4 ,by this time ,fanny began to feel at her ease1 and1 as usual1 she began to ask questions4 ,do you learn lessons every day8 ,yes2 every day but ,sunday4 ,who hears you say them8 ,aunt ,emma1 generally1 and sometimes ,uncle ,hugh4 ,i used to go to school when ,i was at home1 but they do not think ,i am well enough now1 and ,i am glad of it1 because ,i like doing my lessons with ,aunt ,emma4 ,where do you live when you are at home8 asked ,fanny4 ,in ,detroit1 in ,michigan4 ,oh1 it is a long way from here4 ,we were two or three days coming1 and only think1 ,fanny6 ,i had a beautiful doll1 all dressed in a travelling suit1 and with a little morocco bag and all1 and ,i let a girl play with it on the cars1 and she stole it when ,i was asleep4 ,wasn't it a shame8 ,but she hadn't any mother1 ,i know1 and perhaps she didn't know any better4 ,by the time ,mrs4 ,cassell called ,fanny to take the books1 the two girls had become very good friends4 ,when they went back to the parlour1 ,mr4 ,brandon came out of the library with two or three pretty-looking books in his hand4 ,are you fond of reading1 ,miss ,fanny8 he asked1 pleasantly4 ,yes1 sir--some kinds1 answered ,fanny1 doubtfully4 ',some kinds' means stories1 ,i suppose8 said ,mr4 ,brandon1 smiling4 ,i believe one of my ,sunday-school boys--,willy ,beaubien--lives at your house1 does he not8 ,yes1 sir4 ,i should like to have you carry him this book1 if you will be so kind2 and here is one you will perhaps like to read yourself4 ,tell ,willy he shall have another when he has finished this4 ,i wonder if ,mr4 ,brandon knows that ,willy is only grandma's hired boy1 thought ,fanny4 ,but she did not say anything1 and the carriage being ready1 she took her leave4 ,hiram had better take you home1 ,i think1 said ,mrs4 ,cassell4 ,it is a long walk1 and up hill all the way4 ,drive to the entrance of ,mrs4 ,lilly's lane1 ,hiram4 ,hiram obeyed1 and left ,fanny at the gate of the lane4 ,annie would have thanked him for such a service1 but ,fanny never thought of doing so4 ,she had never been taught to be polite to servants1 and she considered them as a being much below herself in the social scale4 ,as she walked along1 she was startled to hear somebody say1 in a laughing tone1 ,what a great lady1 to be sure6 ,she feels too fine to speak to common folks4 ,fanny turned round in a hurry4 ,the next minute ,sarah ,leyman jumped over the fence almost as lightly as a deer1 and walked along by her side4 ,where have you been1 all so grand8 she asked4 ,nothing so very grand1 replied ,fanny1 in a superior tone4 ,i dare say it seems so to you1 but ,i have often been in much finer carriages than ,mrs4 ,cassell's4 ,oh 'dear'6 said ,sarah1 mimicking ,fanny's tone4 ,how wonderful we are1 to be sure6 ,i wonder we can condescend to speak to anybody1 much less to a common person like poor ,sarah ,layman4 ,but never mind4 ,let's go into the grove and have a good time4 ,what books have you got8 ,i am not going to play with you any more1 ,sarah1 said ,fanny1 in what she intended for a very impressive and dignified tone4 ,i don't want to quarrel with you1 and ,i am very sorry for you1 but ,i am going to be a ,christian1 and1 of course1 ,i can't have anything more to do with you4 ,well1 ,i declare6 said ,sarah1 and then she burst into a ringing fit of laughter4 ,what next8 ,i should like to know how long since you felt so8 ,fanny felt very much vexed1 but she answered1 in the same tone1 ,since ,i was sick4 ,i was very low indeed1 and the doctor thought ,i was dying for ever so long-- ,that's a big one to begin with1 interrupted ,sarah4 ,i asked the doctor about you myself1 and he said that there was nothing more the matter than that you had eaten too much1 and that you would be about again directly4 ,i don't believe it6 exclaimed ,fanny1 though she knew that ,dr4 ,perkins had told her the very same thing4 ,where did you see him1 ,i should like to know8 ,i saw him go up to your house1 and ,i waited for him at the gate and asked him what was the matter4 ,you see ,i thought about you1 ,fanny1 though you don't mean to play with me any more4 ,sarah said these words with an expression of real feeling1 and then1 suddenly changing her tone1 she added1 ,by the way1 as you have made up your mind to be a ,christian1 ,i suppose you began by telling your grandmother all about your helping to eat the stolen pie and gingerbread1 didn't you8 ,of course not1 replied ,fanny1 trying to keep up her tone of dignity and reserve1 but feeling all the time that she was making a signal failure4 ,i didn't want to tell of you1 ,sarah1 though ,i don't mean to have anything more to do--with you1 ,fanny was going to conclude1 but she changed it into such doings4 ,oh1 you needn't mind 'me'1 said ,sarah4 ,i wouldn't have you go on telling lies and deceiving your grandmother for anything4 ,come to think of it1 ,i believe ,i will be a good girl and a ,christian myself1 and then ,i suppose we can play together again4 ,but you can't be a ,christian without confessing your sins1 you know1 ,fanny4 ,i dare say ,mrs4 ,lilly is blaming somebody else for the pie all this time4 ,come1 let us go together and tell her all about it directly4 ,and ,sarah quickened her steps in the direction of the farm-house4 ,fanny looked at her to see if she were in fun1 but she appeared quite serious and determined4 ,you are not in earnest8 said ,fanny1 in rather a scared tone4 ,yes1 ,i am in earnest4 ,come1 why don't you walk faster8 ,you can tell what ,i did1 and ,i can tell what you did1 or we can each tell of ourselves4 ,i guess that will be the best way1 after all4 ,but ,i can't--,i dare not6 exclaimed ,fanny1 stopping short4 ,oh1 ,sarah1 do come back6 ,well1 what now8 asked ,sarah1 turning and coming back1 for she was already some steps in advance4 ,what's the matter8 ,you won't tell grandma1 will you8 asked ,fanny1 trembling4 ,why1 of course1 replied ,sarah1 coolly4 ,that's the way to begin1 by confessing our sins4 ,when old ,mrs4 ,burt joined the church last winter1 she went to ,mrs4 ,hoyt's and told her that she had cheated her out of three dollars by putting water in the milk she sold her1 and paid her back the money4 ,mrs4 ,hoyt said that was the right way to begin1 and she gave the money to the missionary collection4 ,besides1 ,i dare say ,mrs4 ,lilly is suspecting some one else all the time4 ,fanny knew that this was true1 for she had heard her grandmother say she thought the pie must have been taken by one of ,mr4 ,wye's children4 ,but--but ,i can't1 she stammered4 ,i am afraid4 ,i don't know what she would do to me4 ,didn't she ask you anything about it8 asked ,sarah4 ,yes1 of course she did4 ,and you told her all sorts of lies1 ,i suppose1 and mean to stick to them2 and yet you call yourself a ,christian1 and think you are too good to play with me6 said ,sarah1 in a tone of contempt4 ,well1 ,i don't care2 ,i mean to tell her1 anyhow4 ,fanny sat down on a stone and burst into tears4 ,sarah stood by her in silence a minute or two4 ,so you don't want me to tell8 said she4 ,fanny only sobbed4 ,you will make your head ache with crying1 and1 besides1 your grandma will ask you what was the matter1 said ,sarah1 presently4 ,come1 ,fanny1 let's make a bargain4 ,don't you put on any airs to me and ,i won't tell of you4 ,but just as sure as you act again as you did just now1 ,i will go to ,mrs4 ,lilly and tell her all about the pie and your running away4 ,i don't mind it when people are really good1 like ,mrs4 ,lilly and ,aunt ,sally1 but ,i do hate hypocrites4 ,come1 will you agree to that8 ,i suppose ,i shall have to1 said ,fanny1 rather sullenly4 ,well1 then1 kiss and be friends4 ,and now tell me where you have been this afternoon4 ,i can't stay now1 ,sarah1 indeed ,i can't1 said ,fanny1 rising4 ,i have been gone too long already1 but ,i will tell you all about it another time1 she added1 seeing ,sarah's face darken--to-morrow1 perhaps4 ,well1 come up to the spring to-morrow afternoon4 ,and1 ,fanny1 ,i wish you would lend me a story-book4 ,you have got ever so many1 haven't you8 ,yes1 ,i brought a whole boxful1 and ,mr4 ,brandon lent me this one to-day4 ,let me see it1 said ,sarah1 taking it from her hand and turning over the pages4 ,it looks nice2 ,i would as soon have this as any4 ,fanny felt very much vexed1 but she dared not say a word4 ,on the whole1 ,i will let you read it first1 continued ,sarah1 returning the book4 ,there6 ,run along1 and be sure you come to the spring to-morrow1 or ,i shall come down to the house and ask for you4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,danger4 ,,fanny hurried along up to the hill1 walking so fast that she soon put herself out of breath and had to sit down and rest4 ,oh what a hateful thing she is6 she said to herself4 ,i wish she was dead2 ,i wish the bull would get out and kill her when she is going home to-night4 ,i don't care if it is wicked2 ,i do wish so4 ,there isn't one bit of use in my trying to be good when she is around4 ,i don't care2 it is all her fault4 ,when ,fanny reached home1 she found supper ready4 ,we were just going to sit down without you1 said her grandmother4 ,what has kept you so long8 ,fanny gave a straightforward account of herself1 except that1 as it may be guessed1 she said nothing about ,sarah ,leyman4 ,oh1 very well1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly2 ,i am glad you had a nice visit at ,mrs4 ,cassell's1 and it was very kind in ,mr4 ,brandon to lend you and ,willy such nice1 pretty books4 ,i wonder whether ,mr4 ,brandon knows that ,willy is a hired boy8 said ,fanny4 ,i presume he does4 ,why8 ,oh1 nothing--only ,i was wondering whether1 if he knew it1 he would take so much notice of him and lend him books1 and so on4 ,and ,i wonder whether he would take so much notice of ,fanny if he knew how she talked about him and his wife8 said ,oney4 ,i dare say it would not make much difference in either case1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly1 dryly4 ,mr4 ,brandon is too much of a gentleman to think less of a good boy because he works honestly for a living1 or to mind the idle gossip of two silly girls4 ,never mind1 ,willy2 ,i hope ,fanny will know better some day4 ,mr4 ,brandon does know1 said ,willy4 ,he asked me where ,i lived1 and ,i told him all about it1 and he said it was an excellent thing1 and that ,i couldn't be better off4 ,i hope it is no disgrace to be a hired boy1 or man either4 ,i hope not1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,fanny's father was one4 ,why1 grandma6 exclaimed ,fanny4 ,you don't mean to say that 'my' father was ever a hired boy4 ,i mean just exactly that1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,he lived out three winters at ,judge ,higley's1 and worked for his board that he might go to school1 and afterward1 when he was in college1 he used to hire out in harvest-time that he might help pay his way1 for money was not very plenty in those times4 ,i wonder if ,i could go to college8 said ,willy1 while ,fanny suddenly subsided and became very busy in buttering her cakes4 ,i don't know what should prevent you1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly1 but it is early to be thinking about that4 ,but there is no harm in thinking about it1 is there8 asked ,willy4 ,no1 my dear1 not the least harm1 replied ,mrs4 ,lilly2 on the contrary1 there may be a great deal of good if you only think of it in the right way4 ,what would you like to be1 ,willy--a lawyer or a minister8 asked ,oney4 ,neither1 ,i think1 replied ,willy1 soberly1 and as if he had been turning the matter over in his own mind for some time4 ,i think ,i should like to be professor of a college1 or else a ,state geologist1 like that gentleman who came here last summer and camped out on the mountain with ,mr4 ,brandon4 ,well done6 exclaimed ,oney1 laughing4 ,you mean to aim high1 anyway4 ,there is no reason that ,i know of why you should not be either1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly1 smoothing down ,willy's black curls as he sat beside her at the table4 ,a good many learned men have been worse off than ,willy to begin with4 ,i don't think ,i am badly off at all1 said ,willy4 ,i think ,i am as well off as any boy ,i know4 ,good for you6 said ,oney1 putting a large piece of cake on his plate4 ,when you are president of a college1 send for me1 and ,i will come and keep house for you4 ,fanny ate her supper in silence1 feeling very much disgusted4 ,what a fuss they do make over him6 she thought4 ,and nobody takes any more notice of me nor cares any more about me than if ,i was nothing at all4 ,i don't care4 ,i'll 'make' them care about me some time4 ,i mean to be a missionary or something1 and do a great deal of good1 so that every one shall talk about me and praise me4 ,but there doesn't seem to be much use in trying to be good so long as ,sarah ,leyman is round4 ,i wish ,i was in a convent or something1 like that girl in my book who went to the ,moravian school in ,germany4 ,i mean to try1 though4 ,i will be very good about everything else1 and perhaps it won't matter so much about ,sarah4 ,grandma says we are all sinners1 so ,i sha'n't be any worse than the rest are4 ,the next day1 and for a good many days afterward1 ,fanny and ,sarah met somewhere about the farm--either up by the spring or in the grove by the side of the river4 ,once or twice ,sarah had tempted ,fanny up on the mountain-side by telling her of the wonderful stones and flowers and mosses to be found there4 ,but ,fanny did not much like these expeditions4 ,the loneliness scared her1 and so did the thick dark evergreens1 the great rocks1 and the strange sounds she heard every time she listened4 ,i don't see what you want to come here for1 she said1 pettishly1 and just ready to cry1 one day when ,sarah had coaxed her into visiting one of her favourite haunts4 ,i think it is awfully lonesome and dismal1 and ,i don't like it one bit4 ,one would think we were out of the world4 ,now1 that is just what ,i like1 said ,sarah4 ,it is so solemn1 and the wind makes such strange noises4 ,but you must never try to come up here by yourself1 ,fanny1 she added1 gravely4 ,promise me that you will not4 ,no danger1 said ,fanny2 ,i don't like it well enough for that4 ,come1 do let us go down4 ,sarah agreed1 and they walked down the blind path which led to the spring4 ,when they reached it1 they sat down to rest1 and ,sarah took out of her pocket the last book ,fanny had lent her and began to read4 ,don't read2 it is so pokey1 said ,fanny4 ,i want to talk4 ,you are very fond of reading1 all at once4 ,this is such a nice book1 returned ,sarah4 ,all the people in it are so natural4 ,she closed it1 however1 and they sat for some little time in silence4 ,well1 why don't you talk8 said she1 at last4 ,i am listening1 said ,fanny4 ,i keep hearing such a strange noise1 like something growling or grumbling under ground4 ,what can it be8 ,sarah laid her ear to the ground to listen like an ,indian4 ,it is the bull1 said she1 after a minute's silence4 ,he has got out some how4 ,we must run home as fast as we can4 ,now1 don't begin to cry1 she added1 sharply4 ,that will only hinder you4 ,the two girls started for home1 but as they came into the open field1 they saw the bull coming across the pasture straight toward them4 ,sarah comprehended the situation in a moment1 and had all her wits about her4 ,she was a girl of naturally strong mind1 and her out-of-door life had made her quick and self-reliant4 ,fanny wore a small red cloak4 ,sarah snatched it from her shoulders1 saying at the same time1 in sharp1 clear tones1-- ,now1 ,fanny1 do just as ,i tell you1 and you will be all right4 ,walk away behind me--don't run--and get over the wall4 ,i'll take to the trees1 and ,i bet ,i can dodge him1 but never mind me4 ,if ,i am caught1 run home and call somebody4 ,there6 ,now1 while ,i take across the field--'now'6 ,fanny did as she was bid4 ,with wonderful agility ,sarah started for another part of the field1 running like a deer4 ,when she had gone some little way1 she turned1 and began shaking the scarlet cloak4 ,the bull1 attracted by the colour1 and taking it1 as all bulls do1 as a personal insult to himself1 instantly abandoned his intended chase of ,fanny and ran at ,sarah4 ,but ,sarah was too quick for him4 ,she dodged out of sight1 first behind one tree and then another1 till she saw that ,fanny was safely over the rough stone wall4 ,then picking up a good-sized stone1 and wrapping the cloak round it1 she threw it at the bull with such a correct aim that the missile struck him full in the forehead4 ,the next minute she went over the wall at one spring1 and came round to where ,fanny was lying on the ground crying as if her heart would break4 ,there6 ,don't cry4 ,there is no more danger now1 said ,sarah1 soothingly4 ,nothing is hurt but your cloak1 and ,i guess you won't get much of that1 she added1 peeping over the wall at the bull1 who was now expending all his rage on the scarlet flannel1 tossing and trampling it as if he had at last found the enemy he had been hunting all his life4 ,it is all your fault1 sobbed ,fanny1 finding her voice4 ,i should think you would have been ashamed1 ,sarah ,leyman4 ,well1 ,i declare6 said ,sarah4 ,you needn't have given him my cloak1 continued ,fanny4 ,it was an opera flannel1 and cost ever so much money4 ,which would you rather the bull should be tossing--me or the cloak8 ,it had to be the one or the other1 said ,sarah1 very sensibly1 and naturally vexed at ,fanny's unreasonable faultfinding4 ,i wonder what you think would have become of you if ,i had not been here8 ,for the first time it occurred to ,fanny that ,sarah had saved her life4 ,to be sure1 ,i don't know what ,i should have done1 said she1 and ,i am very much obliged to you1 ,sarah--only ,i don't like to have my pretty new cloak spoiled4 ,nor ,i1 but you would rather it should be the cloak than me1 wouldn't you1 ,fanny8 ,of course1 said ,fanny2 but what shall ,i tell grandma8 ,what you please1 said ,sarah1 shortly4 ,tell her the bull chased you and you dropped your cloak1 or tell her the whole truth4 ,why not8 ,but then she will scold me for going with you1 said ,fanny4 ,sarah turned and looked at her with an expression of wonder and contempt in her great black eyes4 ,i wonder what makes me care to go with 'you'8 she said1 at last1 in an odd1 choked voice4 ,fanny was silent4 ,she did not know what to say4 ,sarah sat down on a stone and hid her face in her hands for a few minutes4 ,i say1 ,fanny1 said she1 looking up suddenly1 let's you and ,i set out to be ,christians in good earnest1 instead of only pretending to be good4 ,i 'am' good now1 replied ,fanny1 rather indignantly4 ,i read my ,bible and say my prayers every day1 and ,i heard grandma say to ,oney that ,i had been very good lately1 and ,i have1 ,i know4 ,i learned three hymns yesterday of my own accord4 ,oh6 ,then1 of course1 ,mrs4 ,lilly knows all about your running away1 and about the pie and all8 ,why1 no1 said ,fanny1 hesitating4 ,i didn't think it worth while4 ,what would be the use8 ,she thinks it was one of the ,wye children1 and she may as well think so4 ,the use would be that you would be telling the truth instead of telling and acting lies all the time1 said ,sarah4 ,now1 it is of no use1 ,fanny4 ,you know you can't be a ,christian in any such way as that4 ,don't she ever say anything about the pie now8 ,sometimes4 ,and don't she ever ask you1 when you come in1 where you have been and what you have been doing8 ,why1 yes1 she almost always does4 ,and then you tell her the truth1 ,i suppose8 ,it is no business of yours what ,i tell her1 replied ,fanny1 sullenly4 ,maybe not1 but it is of yours1 said ,sarah4 ,don't you know1 ,fanny1 the ,bible says no one that loves or makes a lie can go to heaven8 ,i remember ,aunt ,sally's telling me that years ago4 ,what makes you want to be a ,christian1 ,sarah8 ,i mean1 what sets you to thinking about it8 asked ,fanny1 trying to turn the conversation4 ,partly the books ,i have been reading1 and partly some old journals and letters of ,aunt ,sally's that ,i found in a trunk up in our garret1 and partly--well1 ,i don't know that ,i can tell you if ,i try4 ,all the best people ,i know are religious4 ,pa was going on the other day about pious people being all hypocrites1 and says ,i1 ',pa1 where would we have been if pious people had not helped us last winter when you broke your leg8' ,you would have an awful time with your father1 remarked ,fanny4 ,we have that now1 said ,sarah4 ,and you would have to go to church and ,sunday-school and learn your lessons1 continued ,fanny4 ,you couldn't run about all day ,sunday and weekday as you do now4 ,you wouldn't like that at all4 ,i don't think ,i should mind1 said ,sarah1 thoughtfully4 ,running about is all very well1 but one may have too much of it4 ,i'll tell you what1 ,fanny3 ,i will try if you will4 ,let us go together and tell the old lady all about it1 and then we can begin in earnest4 ,she won't be hard on us1 ,i know4 ,i can't1 ,i tell you1 said ,fanny1 in an agony of alarm and vexation4 ,she would whip me1 ,i know1 for she said the other day that she never whipped pa but once1 and that was for telling lies4 ,and then they would all despise me so4 ,oh1 ,sarah1 don't6 ,wait till ,i go away1 and then you can tell her if you like4 ,well1 ,i won't tell of you1 only of myself1 said ,sarah4 ,she will get it all out of you1 you may be sure4 ,she is so sharp6 ,i am afraid every day1 as it is1 that she will find me out4 ,don't you suppose ,god finds you out1 ,fanny8 asked ,sarah1 in a low voice4 ,don't you think that1 for all your hymns and prayers and ,bible readings1 you are only making believe all the time8 ,aunt ,sally used to say he knew our very inmost thoughts4 ,your aunt was a church-member1 wasn't she8 asked ,fanny1 hoping to divert ,sarah's attention4 ,mrs4 ,merrill told me something about her4 ,she was a good woman1 if ever there was one in this world1 said ,sarah1 with feeling4 ,if she had lived1 ,i know ,i should have been very different1 but she died when ,i was only eight4 ,but come1 ,fanny1 let us go and see your grandmother4 ,i 'won't'6 ,so there6 exclaimed ,fanny4 ,and if you tell her1 ,i'll run away and go down to ,boston all alone4 ,i have got twenty dollars of my own1 and ,i can go on the cars2 and ,i will1 ,sarah ,leyman1 if you tell her one word4 ,and besides1 you can't tell her to-day1 said ,fanny1 with a sense of sudden relief4 ,she has gone away1 and won't be home till ,saturday4 ,this was not true1 for ,mrs4 ,lilly expected to be at home next morning4 ,if she isn't at home1 of course ,i can't tell her1 said ,sarah4 ,you had better go home now1 ,fanny4 ,be sure you tell them that the bull is loose1 because he may do some great mischief4 ,good-night4 ,sarah turned and walked rapidly away across the fields4 ,fanny watched her for a minute1 and then went home4 ,she informed ,oney that the bull was loose1 that he had chased her and torn her flannel cloak all to pieces1 but she never said a word about ,sarah ,leyman4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,at ,,meeting4 ,,for a good many days ,fanny saw nothing more of ,sarah ,leyman4 ,she was not at the spring or down by the river1 nor did she come to the house1 as ,fanny had feared she would4 ,one day1 however1 ,willy came in1 bringing a pretty little birch bark basket filled with beautiful wild raspberries4 ,he said ,sarah ,leyman had met him in the lane and handed him the basket1 asking him to give it to ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,what beautiful berries1 and what a nice little basket the poor girl has made6 said ,mrs4 ,lilly1 admiring the basket1 which was indeed most ingeniously made1 and lined with fresh green leaves4 ,i wonder where she found the berries8 ,i thought they were all over4 ,up on the mountains somewhere1 ,i dare say1 replied ,oney4 ,they always ripen ten days later up there4 ,i wonder she dares run about as she does1 but she seems to have no more fear than a wild creature4 ,they say she is often gone whole days and nights together4 ,grandma1 why is it so dangerous to go on the mountain without a guide8 asked ,fanny4 ,are there wild beasts to hurt anybody8 ,it is dangerous for several reasons1 replied ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,in the first place1 it is very easy for inexperienced persons to lose themselves1 and there are many dangerous places4 ,such as what8 asked ,fanny4 ,such as precipices and deep cracks between the rocks into which one might fall and never be found again1 and bogs in which you might be smothered and swallowed up in the mud4 ,then1 in the upper part of the mountain1 there are often sudden fogs and showers and cold winds which would chill you to the bone in five minutes4 ,are there any wild beasts8 ,not on this side1 though even here1 ,i suppose1 one might meet a bear or a wildcat now and then4 ,but on the other side they say there are both bears and panthers1 besides plenty of rattlesnakes1 though ,i have not heard of any being killed very lately4 ,but the mountain is a very dangerous place1 and you must never go up alone as ,sarah does4 ,it is a thousand pities the poor child has not a better home4 ,what is the matter with her home8 asked ,fanny4 ,well1 her father is a bad man1 to begin with4 ,he drinks very hard at times2 and though he is a skilful workman1 he will never do a day's work as long as he can help it4 ,his mother is--well1 ,i don't mean to be hard upon her1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly1 but the truth is1 she is nothing but a nuisance--an idle1 gossiping1 tale-bearing1 mischief-making slattern4 ,if she spent half the time in taking care of her house and family that she does in running about the village1 picking up and repeating slanders and gossiping with old ,miss ,clarke1 she might keep things going on well enough4 ,but as it is1 they never have anything comfortable or decent from one year's end to another4 ,who was ,sarah's aunt ,sally8 asked ,fanny4 ,she was ,mr4 ,leyman's sister1 but as different from him as light from darkness4 ,a better woman never breathed1 and while she lived the family were somewhat respectable4 ,she used to do tailoring and dressmaking1 and sometimes she went out nursing4 ,she was one of the best hands in a sick-room that ever ,i saw4 ,what did she die of8 asked ,fanny4 ,of hard work principally--of toiling night and day to support her great lazy brother and his family4 ,i never saw a child grieve so at a death as ,sarah did for her aunt4 ,she was only eight years old1 poor little wild thing6 ,but when they came to screw down the coffin1 she screamed1 and threw herself upon it and would not let anybody touch it1 and they had to take her away by force4 ,does ,sarah ever say anything about her aunt8 ,i don't know1 answered ,fanny1 coolly4 ,i never see ,sarah nowadays4 ,you told me not to play with her1 so ,i don't4 ,willy's black eyes shot a glance at ,fanny which said a great deal1 but he spoke not a word4 ,fanny felt the look1 however1 and wondered how much ,willy knew1 and whether he would be likely to tell of her4 ,the next ,sunday1 as they were coming home from church in the village1 ,mrs4 ,lilly said to ,fanny1 ,we are going to have some company this week1 ,fanny4 ,mrs4 ,cassell and ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,brandon and ,annie are coming up here to spend the day on ,wednesday1 and perhaps ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,brandon may stay a few days4 ,oh how nice6 said ,willy4 ,and ,oney added1 ,it will seem like old times to have ,mr4 ,brandon about the house again4 ,but ,i must be careful1 now that he has grown such a great man4 ,as likely as not1 ,i shall be calling him ,hugh1 the first thing4 ,i dare say it wouldn't do any harm if you did1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,where in the world did 'you' ever know ,mr4 ,brandon8 asked ,fanny1 with an emphasis on the you which was not very polite1 to say the least4 ,he used to live with us once1 replied ,oney4 ,he was rather a delicate boy1 and his father used to send him to the mountains in summer1 and he spent all his college vacations with us after his father died4 ,don't you remember the description of our house in his book--,i don't remember the name1 but that story about the war8 ,i never read any of ,mr4 ,brandon's books1 said ,fanny4 ,why1 ,fanny6 exclaimed ,willy1 who had an untamable appetite for books1 and who was perpetually astonished by ,fanny's indifference to them4 ,why1 it has lain on the table all summer4 ,well1 what of that8 returned ,fanny1 tartly4 ,is that any reason why ,i should read it8 ,it would be a reason with me1 said ,willy2 besides1 it is so interesting4 ,there's an odds in folks1 you see1 ,willy1 said ,oney4 ,but hadn't you better study it up1 ,fanny8 ,mr4 ,brandon might ask you some questions about it4 ,dear me6 ,i hope not1 said ,fanny1 in alarm4 ,do you think he will1 grandma8 ,no1 my dear4 ,authors are not very apt to talk about their own books4 ,do you think he would be offended if ,i were to ask him about some things in his other book--,i mean the one about ,south ,america8 asked ,willy4 ,no2 ,i dare say he would be pleased to find that you had read his book so carefully4 ,i am glad of that1 because there are ever so many things that ,i want to know more about1 said ,willy4 ,i mean to get the book and look it over again4 ,well1 ,i shouldn't think you would want to1 ,willy1 said ,fanny1 who had her private reasons for being alarmed at ,willy's announcement4 ,it would look like putting yourself forward1 and ,i am sure ,mr4 ,brandon would not like it4 ,he isn't used to associating with all sorts of people1 said ,fanny1 with a grand air4 ,he associates with the best families in ,boston4 ,oh6 said ,willy4 ,well1 ,i don't know about the first families in ,boston1 but ,i don't mean to keep any company ,i am ashamed to own1 ,fanny4 ,this hint alarmed ,fanny1 and she did not speak another word all the way home2 she was afraid ,willy knew too much4 ,that evening ,fanny went with the rest to the five-o'clock meeting in the schoolhouse down the road4 ,they were rather early1 and took their usual seats on the side of the room4 ,fanny liked this1 because she could watch all who came in1 and make her remarks on their dress and manners4 ,the room was pretty full at last1 for it was a cool1 pleasant evening1 and quite a number of people walked up from the village to attend the service4 ,just as the first hymn was being sung1 ,sarah ,leyman came in and slipped into a seat near the door4 ,she had made herself as neat as she knew how1 and looked very handsome1 for in spite of her dark skin1 made darker by exposure to all sorts of weather1 ,sarah was a beautiful girl4 ,she behaved with perfect propriety2 and when she raised her head after the first prayer1 ,fanny felt sure that she had been crying4 ,well1 ,i declare6 said ,fanny to herself4 ,i wonder what she will do next8 ,i wonder if she really means to do as she said6 ,oh dear6 ,i am sure ,i hope not1 for then she will go and tell grandma4 ,and then for one moment ,fanny saw how utterly mean and selfish she was1 and what a wicked and false life she was leading4 ,that momentary glimpse of herself might have done ,fanny a great deal of good and saved herself and others a great deal of distress if she had profited by it4 ,but she did not4 ,she only went on thinking how she could possibly manage to keep ,sarah and her grandmother apart4 ,were you not surprised at seeing ,sarah ,leyman at meeting8 asked ,oney of ,mrs4 ,lilly as they walked home together4 ,i should as soon have expected to see one of the wild eagles off the mountain4 ,but she looked and behaved very well1 didn't she8 ,very well2 and ,i was glad to see her there1 replied ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,i hope it is a good sign4 ,i must try to have a talk with her some time4 ,i have a ,testament that her aunt gave to my ,eunice when they were girls together2 ,i think ,i will give it to ,sarah4 ,perhaps she would read it because it was her aunt's4 ,i wouldn't1 grandma1 said ,fanny2 she would only make all sorts of fun of it1 as she does of everything about religion4 ,that's one reason why ,i didn't want to play with her any more4 ,she talked so she scared me4 ,i am sorry to hear that1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,that's all she went to meeting for1 ,i know1 continued ,fanny1 growing bolder1 and determined at all hazards to prevent any chance of an understanding between her grandmother and ,sarah4 ,she will go home and mimic the minister and deacon and poor ,mr4 ,willson1 and make all sorts of fun of them4 ,she has listened under the window on purpose before now4 ,who told you8 asked ,oney4 ,she told me herself1 returned ,fanny1 boldly4 ,i used to play with her when ,i first came here1 and ,i did play with her two or three times after grandma forbade me1 but ,i have not done it this long time--not since ,i have been trying to be a good girl4 ,if you talked to her ever so kindly1 she would only go away and make fun of you4 ,well1 that wouldn't hurt me1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly1 and we can never know what words will do good4 ,i don't like to think that any girl can be a hardened sinner at fifteen1 and especially one who was the child of so many prayers as ,sarah4 ,mrs4 ,lilly1 said ,willy1 don't you think that a person who pretended to be good and religious all the time that he knew he was wicked would be a great deal harder to convert than one like ,sarah ,leyman8 ,no doubt1 returned ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,especially if the hypocrite were self-deceived4 ,i suppose hypocrites usually do impose on themselves more or less1 remarked ,oney4 ,almost always to some degree1 ,i presume4 ,a man who is destroying his neighbour's body and soul by selling liquor1 may very likely make himself think that he is quite a good man because he gives away money liberally2 and another1 who will cheat half an ounce in every pound he sells1 comforts himself by thinking that he keeps ,sunday carefully1 and always has family prayers2 and so of other things4 ,i would rather undertake to make an impression on poor ,sarah1 or even on ,sam ,leyman himself1 than on such a person4 ,but ,i will certainly speak to ,sarah if ,i have a chance4 ,it can at least do no harm4 ,oney1 there is ,squire ,howe before us1 and ,i want to speak to him about drawing ,mrs4 ,merrill some wood4 ,he said he would give her a load any time1 and ,i dare say it will be more convenient for him to do it before harvest4 ,mrs4 ,lilly and ,oney walked on quickly1 and no sooner were the children alone together than ,willy broke out with more than his usual vehemence4 ,fanny ,lilly1 ,i do think that you are the very meanest creature that ever lived in this world4 ,nobody but a girl could be so mean as you are4 ,you are as much worse than ,sarah ,leyman than she is worse than--than ,grandma ,lilly1 said ,willy1 finishing up with a grand climax4 ,why1 ,willy1 what is the matter now8 asked ,fanny4 ,what have ,i done to you8 ,to me6 ,you haven't done anything to me1 only you are always hinting about my being a hired boy and coming from the poorhouse1 and ,mr4 ,brandon said himself that nobody but a snob would throw such a thing in a fellow's face4 ,but ,i don't care so much about that4 ,it is the way you treat ,sarah ,leyman that makes me despise you4 ,as if ,i didn't know how you have been with her day after day1 going over to the ,corners with her1 and all6 ,as if ,i didn't know how she saved you from the bull6 ,and you never said one word about her1 though it is the greatest wonder in the world she wasn't killed4 ,i should like to know how you found out anything about it1 said ,fanny1 trying to speak in an unconcerned manner4 ,because ,i saw it2 that's all4 ,i think you might have come to help us1 than1 instead of watching and spying1 said ,fanny4 ,i did come1 but ,i was too late4 ,i was up in the barn-loft and saw the whole performance1 but before ,i could get to you1 it was all over4 ,so ,i went to find ,mr4 ,wye and tell him about the bull4 ,and after that1 you abuse her behind her back1 and don't want your grandma to show her the least kindness or even speak a good word to the poor girl4 ,i suppose you are afraid she will find out some of your secrets4 ,i always thought you knew more about that pie than you chose to tell4 ,fanny was very angry1 but she controlled herself2 and answered1 quickly1 ,you are very much mistaken1 ,willy1 as you will see when you know all about it4 ,i only met ,sarah by accident that day4 ,the only reason that ,i didn't tell grandma and ,oney how she saved me from the bull was that she made me promise not to say a word about it1 because she said she left the bars down1 and let out the bull herself4 ,all ,i said about her making fun of religion was every word true1 only ,i didn't tell it half as bad as it was1 because ,i didn't like to repeat such stuff1 and because ,i didn't want to tell grandma how ,sarah made fun of her for praying in the meeting ,thursday evening1 and for sitting at the table with a dirty nigger1 like ,oney4 ,those were her very words4 ,oney isn't a nigger1 and if she was1 she couldn't help it2 and ,i don't think nigger is a very pretty name to call any one1 said ,willy4 ,nor ,i2 and that wasn't the worst she said1 by a great deal4 ,as for the pie1 continued ,fanny1 feeling that she was in for it1 and that a few more lies would not make much difference--as for the pie1 you are right1 ,willy4 ,i do know--or at least ,i have a very good guess--where it went1 but ,i wasn't going to say what ,i thought when ,sarah and ,i had played together4 ,i would like to have ,sarah a good girl as well as anybody1 and ,i have talked to her myself1 but there is no use in it4 ,she only makes fun of me1 and ,i don't want her to make fun of grandma4 ,i know ,i have hurt your feelings1 sometimes1 ,willy1 but ,i never meant to do it1 and ,i beg your pardon4 ,you see things are very different here from what they are in ,boston4 ,there were two girls who came to our school last winter1 and everybody liked them at first1 but by and by the girls found out that their mother was a dressmaker1 and after that a good many of the scholars would not speak to them4 ,i heard ,cousin ,emma tell of a gentleman who refused to be introduced to a young girl at her house because he thought she was not genteel enough4 ,if ,i had been master of the house1 he would have seen the outside of it pretty suddenly1 said ,willy1 who had the instincts of a gentleman4 ,besides1 ,i know all ,boston people are not like that4 ,those gentlemen who came up and camped out on the mountain last summer were as polite and pleasant to everybody as they could be4 ,well1 anyhow1 that was the reason ,i didn't like to see ,sarah at meeting1 because ,i knew why she had come1 persisted ,fanny1 returning to the first subject4 ,of course ,i am thankful to her for saving me from the bull1 though she got me into the scrape in the first place1 but that doesn't prevent me from seeing her faults4 ,humph6 said ,willy1 not more than half satisfied4 ,well1 anyhow1 ,i hope ,grandma ,lilly will have a real good talk with her4 ,and so do ,i1 because1 after all1 it won't hurt grandma if ,sarah does make fun of her1 and perhaps grandma may do her some good1 said ,fanny4 ,but in her heart she was determined that this talk should never take place if she could help it4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,the ,,offence ,,given4 ,,the next day1 and the next1 ,fanny went up to the spring and down to the grove1 but she could see nothing of ,sarah4 ,the next afternoon she was sent on an errand to the ,corners4 ,she went 'cross-lots1 as they say2 and passing the end of ,sam ,leyman's garden1 she saw ,sarah sitting at work on the back doorstep and called to her4 ,is that you1 ,fanny8 exclaimed ,sarah1 jumping up and coming to meet ,fanny with an expression of real pleasure on her face4 ,where are you going8 ,over to the ,corners for grandma4 ,don't you want to go with me8 ,i am afraid ,mrs4 ,lilly wouldn't like it1 said ,sarah1 hesitating in a way very unusual with her4 ,seems to me you have taken a very sudden fit of goodness1 said ,fanny1 not at all pleased4 ,i wonder how long you have been so particular8 ,ever since you went to meeting the other night1 ,i suppose4 ,but do come a little way with me4 ,i want to see you ever so much4 ,well1 ,i don't care4 ,i went down to the grove yesterday on purpose to find you1 said ,fanny1 in rather an injured tone1 as they walked across the pasture together4 ,i thought you would certainly be there4 ,why didn't you come8 ,well1 for two or three reasons2 ,i was busy at home1 for one thing1 mending and washing ,ally's clothes1 and trying to patch up some of my own old frocks1 so as to be a little more decent4 ,and besides1 ,fanny1 to tell you the truth1 ,i thought it would be rather mean after your grandma spoke to me so kindly ,sunday night4 ,oh yes2 very kindly indeed--to your face1 said ,fanny1 sneeringly4 ,what do you mean8 asked ,sarah4 ,oh1 nothing--only ,oney said she wondered what had brought 'that' ,sarah ,leyman to meeting1 and grandma said she presumed you had only come to make fun of everything and everybody1 and she thought you had better stay away1 at least till you had something decent to wear4 ,did ,mrs4 ,lilly say that8 asked ,sarah1 in a low tone4 ,she said a great deal more than that1 replied ,fanny1 and so did the rest of the people8 ,and she proceeded to repeat a number of contemptuous speeches which she professed to have overheard1 till she was stopped by ,sarah's throwing herself on the ground and bursting out into a passionate fit of crying4 ,what is the matter8 asked ,fanny1 surprised and rather alarmed at the storm she had raised4 ,what are you crying about8 ,i don't care so much for the rest of them1 said ,sarah1 sitting up with her black eyes flashing through her tears4 ,but ,mrs4 ,lilly that ,i thought was so good1 and that spoke to me so kindly6 ,i don't care2 ,i never will believe in anybody's goodness again4 ,fanny1 are you telling me the truth8 ,was your grandma really so mean and wicked as that8 ,i don't see anything so mean and wicked1 said ,fanny1 rather scared1 but not at all understanding ,sarah's state of mind4 ,she said what she thought1 ,i suppose4 ,when did she say what she thought1 when she was telling me to my face that she was glad to see me and hoped ,i would come again1 or when she was talking against me behind my back1 and saying she should think ,i would be ashamed to show myself8 ,come now1 ,fanny6 ,she did not really say all that4 ,you are making it up to tease me1 ,i know4 ,you can ask ,willy1 for he heard her1 said ,fanny1 determined to stand her ground1 but beginning to wish she had not said anything4 ,i have a great mind to go and ask ,mrs4 ,lilly herself1 said ,sarah4 ,you will get into a scrape if you do1 ,i can tell you1 said ,fanny1 knowing that if ,sarah and her grandmother came together1 they would soon arrive at an understanding4 ,grandma knows that it was you who let out the bull4 ,it was 'not' me6 exclaimed ,sarah1 indignantly4 ,i 'never' leave the bars down1 and hardly ever go through them1 and ,i had not seen the bull that day4 ,well1 anyhow1 she thinks you did1 and she is very angry about it4 ,she said if she caught you1 she would have you sent where you would be taken care of and kept out of mischief4 ,and ,mrs4 ,crane said you would be a great deal better off in the asylum1 and that grandma would be doing a good turn to everybody4 ,i should like to see them put me in the asylum6 exclaimed ,sarah4 ,i never will go there4 ,i will kill myself or somebody else first4 ,and down went her head on the grass again in a tempest of grief and anger4 ,i don't believe there is one single good person in all the world1 she said1 through her sobs4 ,i wonder whether there is anything good anywhere8 ,if it wasn't for poor ,ally1 ,i would go and jump into ,pope's hole this very day1 and so be dead and buried at the same time4 ,ally was ,sarah's younger sister1 and her special pet4 ,i wonder if ,aunt ,sally was just such a hypocrite as your grandmother8 continued ,sarah1 with a fresh burst of grief4 ,i wonder if all her goodness was just lies and pretence8 ,you shall not call my grandmother a hypocrite1 ,sarah ,leyman2 ,i should think you would be ashamed4 ,and then ,fanny stopped suddenly1 for it occurred to her that it was herself who had given her grandmother such a character1 and not ,sarah4 ,she could not in the least understand the cause of ,sarah's excessive grief1 and thought she was only angry at being laughed at4 ,oh come1 never mind1 said she1 presently4 ,why1 it isn't anything so very dreadful2 and besides1 if you want to come to meeting1 you can come1 for all them4 ,i shall never come again1 never1 said ,sarah1 sitting up and wiping her eyes4 ,i did think that night ,i would try to be a ,christian4 ,i made up my mind to it2 ,i have said my prayers ever since1 and ,i was going to ask you to give me or lend me a ,testament to read myself and to teach ,ally out of4 ,father won't have a ,bible in the house1 if he knows it1 but ,i would keep it hidden away where he could not find it4 ,but it is all over now4 ,there is no use in trying4 ,the tone of hopeless despair in which ,sarah said these words made its way even into ,fanny's blunt feelings4 ,she began to feel a little sorry for what she had done4 ,oh1 ,i wouldn't say so1 said she2 ,i wouldn't give it all up for that--just because grandma isn't perfect4 ,just keep on and be good all the same4 ,i do4 ,you do6--,you6 said ,sarah1 in a tone of contemptuous wonder4 ,fanny ,lilly1 do you really think you are a good girl8 ,her tone and words made ,fanny wince1 but she stood her ground4 ,why1 yes1 ,i do1 she replied4 ,i read my ,bible and say my prayers every day1 and ,i have been reading ever so many good books4 ,i learned two hymns only yesterday4 ,if that isn't being a good girl-- ,well1 it isn't--not according to my notion1 said ,sarah4 ,that would not be my way of being good4 ,fanny1 she added1 with sudden energy1 if you tell me that all you have said is just made up to tease me1 ,i will be your friend for ever1 and ,i will do anything in the world for you4 ,i don't care2 ,i mean to ask ,mrs4 ,lilly about it1 anyhow4 ,well1 you can do as you please1 of course1 said ,fanny1 affecting an unconcern which she by no means felt4 ,i shouldn't think you would like to be taken and shut up with all those poorhouse children1 and never see ,ally nor anybody again1 but if you do1 ,i don't know why ,i need care4 ,i went to see the asylum with grandma1 and it did not look very pleasant1 ,i tell you4 ,the asylum spoken of by ,fanny was one for poor children which had been established at ,r-- by the joint efforts of two counties4 ,the children of paupers were carried to this asylum instead of the poorhouse1 and were taught and cared for4 ,besides1 ,i shouldn't know whether she told the truth or not if she spoke ever so kindly to me1 said ,sarah4 ,i shall never know whether anybody is true again1 or anything1 for that matter4 ,well1 let it go4 ,i dare say it is all nonsense1 as pa says1 and that nobody cares whether we are good or bad4 ,come1 tell me the news4 ,what has happened8 ,nothing very particular that ,i know of1 only old ,mrs4 ,cassell and her granddaughter and ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,brandon are coming up to our house to spend the day on ,wednesday1 and ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,brandon are going to stay for a visit4 ,oney is making all kinds of nice things4 ,oh1 by the way1 ,sarah1 ,i want that volume of ,mr4 ,brandon's travels that ,i lent you4 ,willy has been hunting the house over for it4 ,i'll get it when ,i go home1 said ,sarah4 ,he's another1 ,i suppose4 ,another what8 asked ,fanny4 ,another of the hypocrites1 said ,sarah4 ,i didn't know he pretended to be anything so very good4 ,don't he8 ,i met him up on the mountain last week4 ,he was looking for wild flowers1 and ,i showed him some kinds he had never seen before2 and didn't he talk 'good'8 ,i thought he was a wicked young man before1 and so ,i told him4 ,oh1 ,sarah1 you never told ,mr4 ,brandon all that stuff8 ,yes1 ,i did2 and he only laughed and said1 ',don't be in such a hurry to believe evil of people you don't know1 my girl4 ,anybody as bright as you ought to have something better to think about than idle1 gossiping stories4' ,and then ,i told him ,i was reading his book1 but ,i couldn't understand it very well4 ,oh1 we had a real nice talk1 ,i can tell you4 ,but ,i dare say he is all humbug1 like the rest of them4 ,annie ,cassell is a cunning little thing1 though4 ,you bring her up to the spring1 and we will have a real nice time4 ,i don't suppose grandma will let me1 said ,fanny4 ,you needn't tell her all about it1 you goose4 ,just tell her you want to show ,annie the spring4 ,there is no harm in that4 ,i don't know about it4 ,if you don't1 ,i will just come down to the house and ask to see you1 and tell your grandma you promised to come and bring ,annie with you4 ,you wouldn't tell such a lie8 said ,fanny1 alarmed4 ,you'll see1 was the answer4 ,why shouldn't ,i tell lies as well as other folks8 ,just as sure as you don't come1 ,i will come down to the house and ask for you4 ,you needn't be afraid4 ,you don't suppose ,i want to hurt the child1 do you8 ,no2 of course not4 ,well1 ,i will come if ,i can4 ,when ,fanny reached home1 she went to find her grandmother1 who was in the dairy4 ,the truth was1 she had seen ,willy in the field1 and was by no means sure that he had not seen her walking with ,sarah4 ,so she meant to be beforehand with him1 in case he should have any intention of telling of her4 ,so first putting ,mr4 ,brandon's book down behind the parlour table that it might have the appearance of having fallen by accident1 she went into the milkroom1 where ,mrs4 ,lilly was working over her butter--an operation which she always performed herself if possible4 ,grandma1 said she1 ,i met ,sarah ,leyman at the ,corners2 and she walked over home with me4 ,i couldn't get rid of her without being rude1 and ,i knew you wouldn't want me to hurt her feelings4 ,of course not1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly1 feeling pleased that ,fanny should come to her so frankly4 ,don't be unkind to her in any way4 ,how did she seem to feel8 ,oh1 just as usual1 said ,fanny4 ,she says she thinks all religious people are hypocrites alike4 ,i wonder whether she thinks her aunt ,sally was one8 said ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,i asked her that1 and she said she didn't remember much about her1 but she didn't believe there was much to choose4 ,poor child6 said ,mrs4 ,lilly1 sighing4 ,well1 ,i suppose one ought to be sorry for her1 and yet ,i could not help being angry1 said ,fanny4 ,i told her she ought to be ashamed1 but she went on worse than ever4 ,i do believe she will make fun of anything4 ,i never heard her so bad as she was to-day4 ,that may be only a sign that her heart is touched1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,she may be trying to silence her conscience4 ,those have a great deal to answer for who have brought her up in such a way4 ,yes1 indeed1 said ,oney1 who had just come in with her hands full of cake warm from the oven4 ',whoso shall offend one of these little ones1 it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck1 and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea4' ,i wouldn't like to have the responsibility that rests on that girl's father and mother4 ,i hoped for better things from seeing ,sarah at the meeting1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly1 but ,fanny tells me she only makes fun of the whole thing4 ,but it may be only that she is trying to put down conviction in her own mind4 ,you must be very careful what you say to her1 ,fanny4 ,i wish ,i could get a chance for a quiet talk with her4 ,has ,willy found that book yet8 asked ,fanny1 feeling very uncomfortable1 and wishing to change the subject before anything else was said4 ,no1 not yet2 ,i can't think what has become of it1 replied ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,i hope it is not lost4 ,i believe ,i will go and take a look for it2 perhaps ,i may find it in some place ,willy has overlooked1 said ,fanny4 ,i am pretty good at finding things4 ,do1 my dear1 and dust the books in the parlour at the same time4 ,and1 ,fanny1 you may get out all the ,indian curiosities1 and arrange them2 they will help to amuse ,annie4 ,fanny dusted and arranged and put everything in nice order1 trying to become so much interested in her work as not to think of anything else1 for the words of ,oney rang in her ears very uncomfortably4 ,whosoever offendeth one of these little ones-- ,fanny thought that did not sound quite right1 and she opened the book to see4 ,whoso shall offend one of these little ones which 'believe' in 'me1--' ,that did not mend the matter1 and she shut the book and laid it down as if it burned her fingers4 ,was not this just what1 she had done8 ,had she not offended ,sarah just as she was beginning to believe8 ,had she not done her best to prevent her from taking another step in that path which the poor girl was just trying to enter--the path which led to safety1 to happiness and salvation8 ,suppose ,sarah should never repent and become a ,christian1 whose would be the fault8 ,well1 ,i couldn't help it1 said ,fanny to herself4 ,i couldn't have her coming up here and talking to grandma1 and telling her everything1 as ,i am sure she would the very first thing if grandma coaxed her a little4 ,i don't see how ,i can help going to the spring to-morrow1 either1 but ,i must be sure and make ,annie promise not to tell4 ,tiresome little torment6 ,i wish she wasn't coming at all4 ,i dare say she will get me into some scrape or other4 ,fanny busied herself till tea-time with the books and curiosities1 and in unpacking her doll and its clothes1 which had remained in their box ever since she left home4 ,when ,oney called her to supper1 she came into the kitchen1 holding up the missing book in triumph4 ,see what ,i have found1 said she4 ,oh1 ,mr4 ,brandon's book6 ,how glad ,i am6 exclaimed ,willy1 with sparkling eyes4 ,where did you find it8 ,i have hunted all over for it4 ,it was behind the table in the parlour1 said ,fanny4 ,you couldn't have looked very sharp1 ,willy4 ,willy looked as if he did not know how to believe his ears4 ,why1 ,fanny6 he exclaimed4 ,i don't see how that can be4 ,i moved the table and looked behind it this very morning1 and ,i am sure the book was not there then1 or ,i would have seen it4 ,i am sure it was1 answered ,fanny1 positively4 ,i found it when ,i was dusting the parlour4 ,i happened to think ,i would move out the table1 and down fell the book directly4 ,so you see1 ,willy1 you must be mistaken4 ,perhaps you only thought you would move it1 or you might not have moved it far enough1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,never mind2 ,i am glad the book is found4 ,well1 if that isn't the strangest thing1 ,i wouldn't say so1 said ,willy to ,oney when they were alone together4 ,oney1 ,i know just as well as ,i know anything that the book was not there this morning4 ,i pulled the table clear away from the wall1 and looked behind it and under the cloth and everywhere4 ,so did ,i1 said ,oney4 ,i am sure that it was not there4 ,then why didn't you say so8 asked ,willy1 a little vexed4 ,because ,i am an ,indian1 and know how to hold my tongue--a thing which ,i sometimes think white folks never learn1 said ,oney1 smiling4 ,where's the use in making a fuss8 ,but ,fanny is so awful deceitful1 said ,willy2 ,i do think ,mrs4 ,lilly ought to know4 ,oh1 she'll find out1 never you fear1 replied ,oney2 and ,i would rather she found out of herself1 without any help of mine4 ,you see1 ,fanny is playing 'good' just now1 and the old lady thinks she is just right4 ,i have given her two or three hints1 but she would not hear1 and the other day she as much as told me she was afraid ,i was jealous of ,fanny4 ,so ,i made up my mind to let matters alone1 and you had better do the same4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,sarah',s ,,plans4 ,,the next day was ,wednesday--the day appointed for ,mrs4 ,cassell's visit4 ,fanny remembered it the moment she opened her eyes1 and did not exactly know whether she were glad or sorry4 ,i should be glad1 only for going up to the spring1 she thought1 but perhaps1 after all1 ,annie's grandmother won't let her go1 and then ,i shall have a good excuse4 ,i don't care3 ,i mean to have a good time1 anyway4 ,and even if ,sarah does come to the spring1 grandma need not know that ,i expected her4 ,how bad she did feel yesterday6 ,i wonder what ailed her8 ,i shouldn't think she need mind so much4 ,they can't do anything to her4 ,in truth1 ,fanny was quite incapable of understanding ,sarah's feelings4 ,with ,fanny1 partly from her natural disposition and more from the way in which she had been brought up1 self was everything4 ,she judged of everything as it affected herself4 ,what pleased her or afforded her any advantage was right2 whatever displeased or annoyed her was wrong4 ,she would not have shed a tear at finding out her best friend in the greatest crime or meanness1 so long as it did not affect herself4 ,she liked ,sarah in her fashion1 because ,sarah's wit and wild stories amused her1 and because she was1 on the whole1 an agreeable playmate1 and it never troubled her in the least to think that ,sarah was a very naughty girl and in a fair way of going to utter destruction4 ,she loved her father as well as she was capable of loving anybody1 but the most disgraceful failure on his part would have affected her less unpleasantly than his refusal to pay fifty dollars for some dress or trinket on which she had set her heart4 ,in fact1 self was her idol1 her god4 ,whoever sacrificed to that god was right in her eyes2 whoever treated her deity with neglect or disrespect was wrong1 no matter how good he might otherwise be4 ,it was very different with ,sarah ,leyman4 ,utterly wild and untaught as she was and had been ever since she was eight years old1 the poor child had a heart capable of devoted attachment and of great sacrifices4 ,till she was eight years old1 ,aunt ,sally had been her all--her friend1 teacher1 protector1 and playmate1 all in one4 ,mrs4 ,leyman often said before her sister and daughter that ,sarah took after her aunt a great deal more than she did after her mother1 and predicted that she should turn out just such another saint--saint being a term of the deepest reproach in the vocabulary of people like ,mrs4 ,leyman4 ,everything that ,sarah knew she learned from ,aunt ,sally1 who taught her to say her prayers and read her ,bible1 and to know that she had a ,father in heaven who would always love her and take care of her4 ,but ,aunt ,sally died at thirty1 because she hadn't any ambition according to her sister-in-law--in reality1 of hard work and anxiety and grief and shame4 ,poor ,sarah was left without a friend4 ,two or three people would have taken her for her aunt's sake1 ,mrs4 ,lilly among the rest1 but her father would not hear of binding her out1 and nobody wanted to be at the trouble of dressing and teaching and becoming attached to her1 only to have her taken away as soon as she was old enough to become useful4 ,moreover1 ,mr4 ,leyman made it a condition that ,sarah should not go to church or ,sunday-school or be taught any priestcraft and superstition4 ,so ,sarah grew up with no education except what she picked up herself by reading such books as fell in her way and by going for a few weeks at a time to the district school4 ,here she learned to write and cipher a little4 ,aunt ,sally had taught her to read almost before she could remember1 and she heard the ,bible read and read it in turn with the other children1 and now and then an earnest teacher would try to put into the child's mind some sense of the truths of religion1 so that she was not absolutely ignorant on that subject4 ,but during the last year1 she had lost that small chance4 ,the three or four small district schools in and around the village had been consolidated into one grand union school1 attended by all the young ladies of the village1 and ,sarah was too proud to show herself among those who were so much better dressed and educated than herself4 ,sarah's father was what he called a freethinker1 which in his case meant nothing more nor less than an impudent1 reckless creature1 regarding the laws neither of ,god nor man4 ,he made a regular business of ostentatiously breaking the ,sabbath1 and as far as possible1 he brought up his children in the same way4 ,the training had produced its legitimate fruits4 ,one son was already in the penitentiary1 and the other had escaped a like fate only by running away and going to sea4 ,mrs4 ,leyman was pretty much what ,mrs4 ,lilly had described her4 ,she had come of a decent family1 and there were those who were willing to show her kindness for the sake of her father and mother4 ,but ,mrs4 ,leyman was one of those people who take two or three miles for every ell that is given them4 ,if she had an invitation to any house in the village or at the ,corners--the little hamlet which had grown up at the slate quarry--she made such an invitation a pretext for a dozen visits at least4 ,if anybody gave her a pail of skim milk or buttermilk one day1 she would send the next for a piece of cheese or butter1 or to borrow a washboard or flat-iron2 and those who were weak enough to lend to her seldom saw their property again4 ,her chief pleasures in life were strong green tea and scandal4 ,a small property which still remained to her from her father's estate supplied her with means for purchasing the first4 ,for the second she was chiefly indebted to ,miss ,clarke1 the washerwoman and tailoress employed in good families for her abilities in doing up fine muslins and making children's clothes4 ,miss ,clarke was an inveterate collector of news and scandal1 and the worse a story was1 the better it pleased her4 ,she was1 to put it in plain ,english1 an inveterate and malicious liar1 and she improved her natural gifts in that direction by taking opium4 ,such was ,mrs4 ,leyman's chosen friend1 and from her did she obtain all those stories of the secret sins and shortcomings of church-members and respectable people with which she entertained her husband4 ,sarah listened to her mother's tales because she liked anything in the shape of a story1 and because1 being sensible of the degradation of her own family1 she took a sullen satisfaction in thinking that others were no better4 ,but she despised her mother and almost hated her father1 and she would have run away from home long before now1 only for ,ally1 her poor little sickly sister4 ,it was ,ally who kept ,sarah at home for the few hours that she ever spent there from the beginning to the end of warm weather4 ,for her sake1 ,sarah recalled all she could of ,aunt ,sally's hymns and verses1 her ,bible1 and other stories4 ,for ,ally she learned ,sunday-school hymns and borrowed ,sunday-school books from the other children1 and gathered flowers and berries and everything that could comfort and amuse the child in her sick times4 ,it was ,mrs4 ,lilly's kindness to ,ally which had made ,sarah like her in the first place4 ,poor ,sarah was a very naughty girl--there was unfortunately no doubt of that--but she would have been a great deal worse only for ,ally1 and for the half-remembered lessons learned at ,aunt ,sally's knee4 ,but for these things and for an undefined something--she could hardly tell what--which had lately been creeping over her1 and making her feel a kind of hope that she might some time become better and happier1 she would have run away and left the family to its fate4 ,what ,sarah found to love in ,fanny it would1 perhaps1 be hard to say1 but she did love her1 and would have done anything for her4 ,fanny was very pretty1 for one thing4 ,she had nice manners and a pleasant way of speaking when she was pleased1 and she could tell tales of a world of which ,sarah knew nothing1 and which she fancied must be more wonderful and beautiful than her own4 ,sarah soon found out that ,fanny was shallow1 and she had begun to feel1 rather than suspect1 that she was false3 but she was one of those people who1 having loved once1 love always1 and she was still devoted to ,fanny with her whole heart and soul4 ,sarah could hardly have told what led her to go to the meeting on ,sunday evening4 ,she had never attended before1 though all the neighbours went1 especially ,mrs4 ,lilly1 and she had a feeling that everything ,mrs4 ,lilly did must be good4 ,she had been quite serious in what she had said to ,fanny after the adventure of the bull4 ,she did want to be a good girl1 a true ,christian like ,mrs4 ,lilly and ,aunt ,sally1 but she did not know how to begin4 ,perhaps she might find out at the meeting4 ,so she made up her mind to go and try1 and she found out that1 at any rate1 it was very pleasant1 though rather awful4 ,those things which she had mimicked for ,fanny's amusement--,deacon ,crane's broad accent and ,mr4 ,howe's bad grammar--did not now strike her as so absurd because she felt as she never had done1 that both the deacon and ,mr4 ,howe were talking to some very real ,presence3 not the less real because unseen4 ,the singing1 the ,bible reading1 the speaking1 all touched her heart1 and the kindness with which she was met by everybody1 especially ,mrs4 ,lilly1 increased the charm4 ,they had all seemed so glad to see her there1 and had asked her to come again4 ,sarah made up her mind that she would go again1 that she would somehow have a ,bible and read it and teach ,ally to read it1 and she would try her best to be a good ,christian girl4 ,and then to find out that these people who had seemed so glad to see her were laughing at her and plotting to separate her from ,ally and put her in prison1 to find out that ,mrs4 ,lilly was capable of such treachery--,mrs4 ,lilly1 whom she had always considered as the very model of everything good1--this it was1 and no hurt vanity1 which had caused the violent burst of feeling which ,fanny could not understand4 ,this it was which made her feel as if there were no real truth or goodness anywhere1 and no use in trying to do right1 since religious people were1 after all1 no better than any one else4 ,this was the mischief ,fanny had done1 and at which she might well have stood appalled if she had at all understood it4 ,but she did not4 ,she was sorry to have made ,sarah feel so badly1 but she was glad to have prevented any chance of an explanation between ,sarah and her grandmother4 ,to be sure1 this was not much like the missionary work over which she had been dreaming lately1 and which was one day to make her famous and admired4 ,but perhaps ,sarah might not have been good1 anyway1 or perhaps she would become a ,christian1 after all4 ,and1 anyhow1 she could not help it now1 so there was no use in thinking about it any more4 ,illustration3 ,on the ,mountain4 ,here is a nicer cup than that4 ,this was always ,fanny's way of consoling herself and quieting her conscience when it happened to be disturbed3 ,i can't help it now1 so there is no use in worrying myself about it4 ,she jumped up and dressed herself as nicely as possible1 and ran down stairs to help her grandmother with the milk without stopping to say her prayers1 as she had been very careful to do lately4 ,mrs4 ,cassell had promised to come early1 and by ten o'clock the carriage was seen by ,fanny's eager eyes coming slowly up the long ascent4 ,mrs4 ,lilly's farm lay mostly on the first rise of the mountain1 as it was called1 a kind of broad terrace ascending from the river1 which ran through the valley1 to a nearly level plain of some quarter of a mile in extent4 ,besides this1 ,mrs4 ,lilly owned a broad strip of meadow-land along the river1 and a large extent of pasture and forests extending to the ,no man's land and cloudland on the top of the great mountain which overlooked ,hillsborough4 ,to ,annie1 coming from ,detroit1 where the land is literally as flat as a pancake and the river looks as if it had been spilled on the top of the ground1 this country of mountains and swift-running streams1 of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills1 was a land of enchantment4 ,it was as beautiful as fairyland the little girl thought1 but1 like fairyland1 it was also rather alarming in respect that one never knew exactly what might be coming next4 ,she had received the announcement that they were going to make a visit up on the mountain with some inward misgivings4 ,and when she found herself going up and up without seeming ever to come to the end1 she began to wish herself at home4 ,but when she finally arrived and was met by ,mrs4 ,lilly's cordial welcome1 all her fears vanished1 and she was quite ready to respond to the old lady's kindness1 and to enjoy herself thoroughly4 ,and where is ,hugh8 asked ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,i hope he is not going to disappoint us4 ,hugh will come up this afternoon1 said ,mrs4 ,brandon4 ,he was all ready this morning1 and indeed came with us as far as the post-office1 when he found a bundle of proof-sheets lying in wait for him1 so he had to return and devote himself to them4 ,he will ride up this afternoon as soon as he finishes his work4 ,but proof-sheets are like time and tide3 they wait for no man4 ,no1 ,i suppose not1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,well1 ,i am sorry1 but it is not as if this was the only day there was1 so you needn't look so doleful1 ,willy4 ,but come1 you had better get your things off4 ,you know the way up stairs1 ,emma4 ,as soon as ,annie had disposed of the piece of cake which ,mrs4 ,lilly was sure she must need after her ride1 ,fanny took possession of her4 ,she was fond of children in her selfish way--that is1 she liked to play with them as if they were dolls1 and amuse herself with them as long as they were good1--that is1 just so long as they did exactly what she wished4 ,annie would have been quite contented to look out of the windows and amuse herself with the ,indian curiosities1 of which ,mrs4 ,lilly had a great collection1 but it was one of ,fanny's ways that she never could enjoy herself in the presence of grown people4 ,she could not be easy till she had drawn ,annie out of the parlour and carried her off to her own room1 where she got out her doll to amuse her visitor4 ,they played with it for some time1 and then ,fanny proposed that they should go out4 ,can we go and see the raccoon8 said ,annie4 ,uncle ,hugh said ,willy had a tame raccoon4 ,oh yes1 you shall see everything1 and ,i will take you to the prettiest place you ever saw1 replied ,fanny1 who felt very amiable and patronizing4 ,i will show you the spring up in the woods1 and everything4 ,that will be nice1 said ,annie1 but we must ask grandma first4 ,of course1 said ,fanny2 ,i will go and ask her now while you dress the doll4 ,take ,annie up to the spring8 repeated ,mrs4 ,lilly1 aloud1 after ,fanny had whispered in her ear4 ,why1 yes1 ,i suppose so1 if ,mrs4 ,cassell has no objection4 ,where is the spring8 asked ,mrs4 ,cassell4 ,only a little way off--just upon the side of the hill4 ,you can almost see it from this window4 ,it is a very pretty place1 and there is no danger for them to run into4 ,fanny spends half her time there1 ,i think4 ,but1 ,fanny1 remember1 you must not go into the woods4 ,no1 ma'am1 answered ,fanny4 ,and don't leave ,annie alone anywhere1 said ,mrs4 ,cassell4 ,remember she has always been brought up in the city1 and knows nothing about taking care of herself4 ,promise me that you will keep close by her4 ,i will1 answered ,fanny4 ,i will not leave her alone a minute4 ,please let ,willy ring the bell in the garden1 grandma1 when you want us to come in4 ,very well1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly2 we shall not have dinner till two1 so you will have a nice time to play and enjoy yourselves4 ,fanny put on ,annie's hat and jacket1 and then led her out to see the raccoon and the guinea hens4 ,as they were looking at the former1 ,willy came up4 ,now1 ,willy1 you may just go away1 said ,fanny1 sharply4 ,we don't want you around after us4 ,annie looked surprised4 ,she was not used to hear people spoken to in that way4 ,it is my raccoon1 and ,i suppose ,i have a right to look at it1 returned ,willy4 ,are you ,willy ,beaubien8 asked ,annie4 ,yes1 replied ,willy1 rather shyly1 but added1 presently1 ,i have seen you at ,sunday-school4 ,don't you want to see ,cooney eat8 ,he looks real cunning4 ,oh yes1 exclaimed ,annie1 much interested4 ,what does he eat8 ,oh1 anything that he can get4 ,i will run and ask ,oney for some cake for him4 ,come1 ,annie1 let's run away while he is gone1 said ,fanny4 ,i don't want to1 answered ,annie2 ,i want to see the raccoon eat4 ,fanny was tempted to speak sharply1 but recollecting herself1 she said1 ,i shouldn't think you would care about that4 ,come1 we sha'n't have any time at all4 ,but ,annie had a little will of her own as well as ,fanny1 and she would not stir till ,willy came back with the cake1 and till she had seen the raccoon eat1 and had agreed with ,willy that he was very cunning and looked as if he knew everything4 ,just as if he knew what we were talking about6 said ,annie4 ,i guess you like animals very well1 don't you1 ,willy8 ,yes1 answered ,willy4 ,i was going to ask you whether you would let me see your ,guinea pigs1 some time4 ,yes1 indeed1 and give you a pair1 if you like1 replied ,annie1 smiling2 ,i am sure you would be good to them4 ,i don't believe grandma will let him have them1 said ,fanny1 growing cross1 as usual1 as soon as she was not the chief object of attention4 ,she says ,willy has so many playthings now that he doesn't attend to his work4 ,i guess you stretched that a little1 said ,willy4 ,anyhow1 ,i can ask her4 ,well1 do come1 ,annie1 if you are ever coming1 said ,fanny4 ,the truth was1 she was growing uneasy4 ,she had seen ,sarah going up to the spring some time before1 and was afraid of her losing patience and putting into execution her threat of coming down to the house4 ,annie saw that for some reason ,fanny was really annoyed1 and she at once gave up looking at the guinea hens and followed her conductor through the garden and across the fields4 ,see1 here is the spring1 said ,fanny1 when they reached the little mossy dell so often spoken of4 ,see how it comes running out of the mountain-side4 ,isn't it pretty8 ,beautiful6 said ,annie4 ,how clear and cool it is6 ,is it good to drink8 ,yes1 very4 ,there is a cup here somewhere4 ,oh1 here it is4 ,and ,fanny produced a somewhat rusty tin cup from under a stone1 rinsed it1 and filled it from the spring for ,annie to drink4 ,here is a nicer cup than that1 said ,sarah ,leyman1 coming out from among the bushes1 holding in her hand a large scallop shell1 such as is frequently brought from ,florida and ,key ,west by travellers4 ,i found it this morning among some things in our garret1 and brought it up on purpose for ,annie to drink out of4 ,did you8 asked ,annie1 looking wonderingly at the dark1 handsome girl4 ,that was very good of you4 ,but how did you know that ,i was coming up here to-day8 ,oh1 a little bird told me1 answered ,sarah1 playfully4 ,the little bird told me that a fairy was coming up to visit the spring1 and would want something pretty to drink out of4 ,here1 drink1 little fairy4 ,oh how nice6 said ,annie1 after she had drank from the shell1 which ,sarah held to her lips4 ,i don't think ,i ever tasted such good water4 ,more people than you have thought so1 said ,sarah4 ,i was reading a letter last night that your aunt wrote to my aunt from ,india1 in which she said she would give all the fruit in ,india for one drink from this very spring4 ,was that my aunt ,eugenia1 and did she write to your aunt8 asked ,annie1 very much interested4 ,how nice that is6 ,i should think that ought to make us some sort of cousins1 shouldn't you8 ,very distant cousins1 answered ,sarah1 laughing4 ,your name 'is' ,annie1 isn't it8 ,yes--,annie ,eugenia ,mercer4 ,i was named for my aunt and grandmother4 ,and where do you live when you are at home1 ,annie ,eugenia8 ,in ,detroit1 replied ,annie4 ,i suppose it is a great way off8 ,oh yes2 we were a night and two days coming1 and we stopped one night at ,albany4 ,and oh1 ,fanny1 exclaimed ,annie1 you know ,i told you how that girl stole my doll on the cars8 ,yes1 answered ,fanny4 ,why8 ,don't you think1 day before yesterday1 ,uncle ,hugh came up from the cars1 and brought a great parcel directed to me4 ,and when ,i opened it1 there was a beautiful doll all dressed1 and a letter from this very girl telling me she was sorry she had been so wicked1 and she hoped ,i would forgive her1 and that my doll was spoiled1 but she had sent me another4 ,wasn't that nice8 ,very nice1 said ,fanny4 ,i didn't care so very much about the doll2 though1 after all1 one can't have too many dolls1 said ,annie1 sagely4 ,but it was nice to think she should be sorry and want to make up for what she had done4 ,grandma said it was beginning in the right way if ,celia--the girl's name was ,celia--really meant to be a good girl4 ,what was beginning right8 asked ,sarah--,sending back the doll or saying she was sorry8 ,both1 replied ,annie4 ,grandma said--,i am not sure that ,i can tell it just right-- ,never mind1 said ,sarah1 who seemed very much interested4 ,tell it as well as you can4 ,she said we must confess all our sins to ,god if we want them forgiven2 and if they are against our neighbours--that is1 if they have done harm to anybody1 you know-- ,yes1 said ,sarah1 ,i understand4 ,then we must go to them and try to make up1 and if we have done them any damage1 we must make it good4 ,i didn't quite understand that at first1 and grandma said if ,i had borrowed ,mary ,patterson's scissors1 and lost or spoiled them1 it wouldn't be enough to say ,i was sorry2 ,i must buy her a new pair if ,i possibly could4 ,so she said it was right in ,celia to send me a new doll4 ,i see1 said ,sarah4 ,don't you think you are a happy little girl to have such a good grandma8 ,yes1 indeed6 said ,annie1 with emphasis4 ,mary ,patterson says ,i ought to be thankful every day that ,i have such good friends to take care of me4 ,who is ,mary ,patterson8 asked ,fanny4 ,she was not very easy under this conversation1 and she was1 moreover1 in a great hurry to improve the time in finding out all about ,annie's family history4 ,mary is my nurse1 replied ,annie4 ,she has lived at our house ever since ,i can remember1 and we think everything of her4 ,how many servants does your mother keep8 was ,fanny's next question4 ,oh1 let me see3 there is ,mary ,patterson and old ,mary the cook--only we don't call her 'old' ,mary because mamma says it isn't polite1 so we all call her ,willis--and ,jane the chambermaid1 and ,arthur1 papa's servant1 that was with him in the war1 and ,john the coachman4 ,your father must be very rich to keep so many servants4 ,well1 ,i suppose he is1 replied ,annie1 simply4 ,i heard ,uncle ,harris say that papa was worth almost a million of dollars4 ,that is a great deal1 isn't it8 ,why1 yes1 quite a good deal1 said ,sarah1 laughing4 ,my father is worth two millions1 said ,fanny1 and there are people on our street richer than that4 ,but ,i didn't suppose anybody out ,west was as well off as that4 ,i thought only poor people went ,west1 and that they lived in log houses and never had anything nice4 ,i don't think there are any log houses in ,detroit1 though ,i have seen them in the country1 said ,annie4 ,detroit is a very pretty place1 though not as nice as it is here1 because it is all so flat4 ,there isn't the least little bit of a hill anywhere round4 ,if that hill ,mr4 ,willson lives on were in ,detroit1 they would think it was a mountain4 ,and what would they say to such a mountain as this8 asked ,sarah4 ,i don't know2 ,i suppose they would be afraid of it1 as ,i was when ,i first came here1 said ,annie4 ,oh1 you needn't be afraid2 he is a pretty good old mountain1 said ,sarah1 who seemed very much taken with the pretty little child4 ,see what the mountain sent you by me4 ,and going to a ledge of rock close by a kind of natural shelf1 she produced two of her pretty little baskets1 one filled with red raspberries1 the other with blueberries4 ,oh how pretty6 exclaimed ,annie4 ,did the mountain send them to me8 ,i am sure he was very kind4 ,yes2 he told me to tell you that you were welcome to eat his berries and drink out of his spring1 but you must never climb up on his back1 because that is no place for little girls4 ,well1 ,i won't4 ,tell him so1 with my love4 ,i should like to do something for him4 ,i might work him a slipper--you know they talk of the foot of a mountain sometimes--only ,i shouldn't know where to get a piece of canvas big enough4 ,how silly you are6 aid ,fanny1 who never could understand a joke4 ,the mountain isn't alive4 ,it is only a great heap of rocks and dirt4 ,i know it1 said ,annie4 ,i was only making believe4 ,annie ate her berries1 and then began admiring the mosses which grew all about the spring4 ,i know where there are much prettier mosses than these1 said ,sarah1 but the place is too far for you to walk4 ,don't you want to sit here a few minutes while ,fanny and ,i go and get you some snail shells8 ,i don't know1 said ,annie1 rather doubtfully4 ,if you won't be gone long4 ,oh no1 only a few minutes4 ,you just sit still here or play about on the rocks1 but don't go away from the spring1 whatever you do4 ,come1 ,fanny1 ,i want to speak to you4 ,i have something to tell you and to ask you4 ,i don't know about leaving ,annie4 ,i am afraid she will get into some mischief or other1 said ,fanny1 hesitating a little1 though she was very anxious to hear what ,sarah had to tell4 ,she had seen all the morning1 through all ,sarah's playfulness with ,annie1 that she had something more than usual on her mind1 and she was very desirous of finding out what it was4 ,i don't see what mischief she can get into1 said ,sarah1 looking about her and considering4 ,there are no snakes4 ,the wicked old bull is shut up in his stable1 and the cattle are all away at the farther pasture4 ,even if she should take a notion to run home1 she can't miss her way4 ,you are not afraid to stay here a few minutes1 are you1 ,annie8 ,no1 said ,annie--only don't be long4 ,oh no2 we will be back in a very few minutes4 ,and you will bring me some snail shells1 won't you8 ,yes1 if ,i can find them1 and ,i am pretty sure ,i can4 ,after all1 ,fanny1 perhaps we had better not leave her alone4 ,she is such a little thing she might get scared1 and ,i can tell you some other day4 ,fanny thought she saw in these last words an indication that ,sarah had repented and did not mean to tell her what she had on her mind1 and this made her all the more anxious to find out what it was4 ,so she answered1 decidedly1-- ,yes1 ,i shall go1 too4 ,mind1 ,annie1 that you don't stir away from this place or you will get lost4 ,to do ,sarah justice1 she had not the least idea that in leaving ,annie alone at the spring she was exposing her to any danger4 ,the children she was acquainted with played in the woods all day long and made excursions after berries and flowers without any fear4 ,she knew that there were no snakes and no wild animals bigger than a rabbit to be met with at this time of year1 and she had really taken pains to assure herself that the bull was safely shut up in his stable4 ,she wanted very much to speak to ,fanny1 and she did not see that she was likely to have another chance very soon4 ,fanny was much more to blame than ,sarah1 for she had promised faithfully not to leave ,annie alone for ever so short a time1 and she ought to have kept her word4 ,she knew this very well1 but she said to herself that no harm would come to her1 and that she must hear what ,sarah had to say4 ,sarah led the way in silence a short distance up the mountain1 and then turned aside into the woods4 ,well8 said ,fanny1 as ,sarah stopped and began gathering some wintergreen shoots4 ,well8 she repeated1 impatiently1 as ,sarah did not speak4 ,what do you want to say to me8 ,fanny1 said ,sarah1 ,i want you to do me a very great favour4 ,well1 what8 ,you told me you had a good deal of money of your own4 ,yes2 my father gave me twenty dollars1 and ,i have only spent a little of it4 ,why8 ,i want you to lend me ten dollars1 said ,sarah4 ,there6 ,the murder is out4 ,fanny looked very much taken aback4 ,why do you want ten dollars8 she asked1 with a good deal of suspicion in her tone4 ,i will tell you all about it if you will listen1 said ,sarah4 ,sit down here on this log4 ,the two girls sat down side by side1 and ,sarah went on in rather a low tone3 ,after ,i left you yesterday1 ,i went up in our garret and pulled out all ,aunt ,sally's old letters to read4 ,there were a good many from ,annie's aunt ,eugenia in ,india1 and from ,mary ,jane ,merrill and other people4 ,but at last ,i found the letters ,i wanted4 ,they were from my ,aunt ,caroline1 my mother's sister1 over in ,concord4 ,she used to be a schoolteacher1 but ,i knew she had married since1 and ,i wanted to know what sort of woman she was4 ,the letters were very nice indeed1 and sounded a good deal like ,aunt ,sally herself4 ,then ,i asked ma about ,aunt ,caroline1 and ma said she had married a rich man and felt above all her relations4 ,but ,i kept on asking questions till ,i found out that ,aunt ,caroline had lost all her own children1 and that she had wanted to adopt me or ,ally when we were little1 but father would not let either of us go4 ,i made ma show me the last letter she had from ,aunt ,caroline1 and it was a real good letter1 and ,i made out that she had always helped ma a great deal4 ,well1 said ,fanny1 impatiently1 what has that to do with my lending you ten dollars8 ,just this1 replied ,sarah3 ,i have been thinking the matter over1 and ,i have made up my mind what to do4 ,if you will lend me ten dollars1 ,i will go and see ,aunt ,caroline myself1 and try to persuade her to take ,ally to live with her4 ,i don't think pa would care now4 ,he don't like ,ally because she is so plain and sickly4 ,then1 if ,i succeed1 ,i will get a place to work in a mill or somewhere1 and take care of myself4 ,why don't you write to your aunt8 asked ,fanny4 ,because ,i can't write very well1 and ,i want to see ,aunt ,caroline and talk to her myself4 ,if ,i have ten dollars1 ,i can get myself a decent frock and hat1 so that she need not be ashamed of me1 and the rest of the money will pay my fare to ,concord and back4 ,if your aunt is rich1 ,i should think she would lend you the money1 said ,fanny4 ,i don't want to begin by asking her for money for myself1 said ,sarah1 colouring4 ,she doesn't know anything about me4 ,but if you will lend it to me1 ,i will pay you back the very first money ,i earn4 ,oh1 of course1 said ,fanny1 sarcastically4 ,sarah's eyes flashed4 ,don't you believe me8 she asked4 ,fanny was rather alarmed1 and continued1 in a superior but more friendly tone1 ,i suppose you think you would1 but this is all nonsense1 ,sarah4 ,it is the greatest wild-goose chase ,i ever heard of4 ,suppose you go to ,concord1 what good will it do8 ,your aunt won't do anything for you4 ,as likely as not1 she won't let you come into her house4 ,and as for her adopting ,ally1 you might as well expect her to adopt a black baby4 ,i know1 because my mother is one of the managers of the orphan asylum1 and ,i have heard her say that the people who take children always want a healthy1 pretty child with curly hair4 ,and what becomes of all the ugly1 straight-haired children8 asked ,sarah4 ,oh1 ,i don't know4 ,they get bound out1 or something4 ,anyhow1 nobody wants them1 and ,i am sure your aunt wouldn't want ,ally4 ,you see it is all nonsense1 ,sarah4 ,you couldn't do anything if you tried4 ,then you won't lend me the money1 ,fanny8 said ,sarah1 in a tone of deep mortification and disappointment4 ,no1 because ,i don't think there would be any use in it4 ,you had a great deal better stay where you are1 or else write a letter to your aunt and ask her to send you some money4 ,i can't write1 ,i tell you1 said ,sarah1 flushing crimson4 ,i can't put one sentence together and spell the words right4 ,she paused a moment1 and then spoke again with more earnestness than before1 and in a pleading tone very different from her usual off-hand manner3 ,come1 ,fanny1 do lend me this money4 ,it won't be very much to you even if you have to do without it a year1 and it will be everything to me4 ,i can't leave home while ,ally is there1 whatever happens1 and ,i feel almost sure that ,aunt ,caroline will take the child if ,i can only see her and tell her how things are1 which ,i couldn't do in a letter if ,i could write ever so well4 ,if ,ally is only safe1 ,i know ,i can find some place where ,i can earn money4 ,i can learn any kind of work easily enough if ,i only give my mind to it1 and ,i will send you every dollar ,i earn4 ,come1 ,fanny1 don't say ',no4' ,why won't you lend it to me8 ,because ,i want it myself1 said ,fanny1 coming to the true reason at last4 ,i have only that twenty dollars to last me for pocket-money till my father comes home1 and ,i am always wanting candy or something that grandma won't buy for me4 ,as likely as not you never would pay me1 and then ,i should lose it altogether4 ,don't you think ,i am honest1 ,fanny8 ,i risked more than that for you the day we met the bull1 said ,sarah1 with a quiver in her voice4 ,i didn't stop to think whether you would ever pay me4 ,that is different1 said ,fanny4 ,yes1 there is a good deal of difference between risking your life and risking ten dollars1 said ,sarah1 dryly4 ,fanny1 why did you ever make friends with me if you don't care enough for me to do as much as that for me8 ,because ,i had no one else to play with1 and it was so stupid at grandma's with nobody to speak to1 said ,fanny1 speaking the truth for once4 ,then1 if you had any one else to play with--anybody more genteel--you wouldn't care any more about me8 ,well1 no1 ,i don't know that ,i should4 ,you see1 ,sarah1 you are very different from me4 ,very different1 said ,sarah1 rising--so different that the less we have to do with each other1 the better4 ,as she spoke1 she went a little farther into the wood and began to turn over the fallen sticks and leaves4 ,fanny followed her1 feeling rather uneasy4 ,what are you looking for8 she asked4 ,some shells for ,annie1 answered ,sarah1 without looking up4 ,you had better go to her4 ,she may get tired of staying alone4 ,i don't want to go without you1 said ,fanny4 ,sarah did not reply2 but having found what she sought1 she turned back4 ,i suppose you are very angry with me8 said ,fanny1 presently4 ,no1 ,i am not1 returned ,sarah4 ,i am angry at myself for ever having cared for you4 ,you say so because you are vexed at not getting the money1 said ,fanny1 but ,i think you are very unreasonable4 ,if you say another word1 ,i will box your ears1 said ,sarah4 ,in another moment she added1 more gently1 ,i am sorry ,i said that4 ,i shall never see you again1 and ,i did love you dearly1 ,fanny4 ,the tone in which ,sarah said this showed that she at least was not heartless4 ,what makes you say that8 asked ,fanny4 ,because it is true4 ,i shall go to ,aunt ,caroline's1 if ,i have to walk every step4 ,besides1 ,i never want to see you again--never6 ,as ,sarah said these words1 the two girls came in sight of the spring4 ,annie was not there4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,the ,,lost ,,child4 ,,there1 now6 ,see what a scrape you have got me into6 said ,fanny1 angrily4 ,tiresome little thing6 ,she has run off home2 and now she will tell them that ,i left her alone4 ,well1 what of that8 returned ,sarah4 ,what harm was there in your leaving her alone a few minutes in a safe place8 ,because ,i promised ,i wouldn't1 stupid6 ,that's why4 ,did you really promise not to leave her alone8 asked ,sarah1 gravely4 ,of course ,i did4 ,her grandmother wouldn't let her come unless ,i promised not to leave her alone anywhere4 ,a nice scrape you have got me into with your secrets6 ,you never told me you had promised1 so don't lay all the blame on me1 said ,sarah4 ,besides1 ,i wanted to come back and wait till another time1 and you wouldn't4 ,i don't suppose there is any harm done4 ,she has got tired and run back to the house4 ,fanny1 said ,sarah1 suddenly starting and turning pale1 you don't suppose she has started to find us1 do you8 ,no1 of course not1 returned ,fanny1 impatiently4 ,what do you want to put such a notion into one's head for8 ,i never thought of her doing such a thing1 continued ,sarah1 looking very uneasy4 ,i should never forgive myself in the world if any harm should happen to the dear little thing4 ,do run down to the house and make sure that she is safe4 ,oh yes1 that is all you think about1 said ,fanny1 in an injured tone4 ,you don't care anything about what they will say to me1 ,i suppose4 ,well1 no1 not much1 returned ,sarah4 ,why should ,i8 ,i don't suppose they will break any of your bones1 and you haven't shown any very particular regard to my feelings4 ,but why don't you go8 ,of course-- ,fanny began1 but ,sarah interrupted her4 ,now1 just look here1 ,fanny1 if you don't go1 ,i shall go myself4 ,i suppose1 of course1 that ,annie is safe1 but ,i want to know for certain4 ,i can't bear to think of her wandering in the woods half scared to death1 and perhaps falling into ,pope's hole4 ,for goodness' sake1 what is ,pope's hole8 asked ,fanny4 ,i have heard of it ever since ,i came here1 and ,i don't know what any one means by it4 ,it is a deep1 deep gulley--a hole in the mountain nobody knows how deep--with high steep walls of rock all around it1 and it is half full of water1 and under the water is soft black mud4 ,cattle get in sometimes1 and never get out again4 ,a man named ,pope fell in when the country was new1 and for two or three years nobody knew what had become of him4 ,but one very dry summer1 when the water was low1 somebody saw a gun lying partly out of the water4 ,so he got somebody to let him down with ropes1 and then he found ,pope's gun and his watch1 but they never found the body4 ,it is an awful dark place to look into4 ,but come1 ,fanny1 do run home4 ,wave your handkerchief at the back door1 and then ,i shall know if she is safe4 ,seeing that there was no help for it1 ,fanny obeyed4 ,she did not or would not believe that ,annie was lost1 and she dreaded only the reproof she was sure to receive for leaving the child alone at the spring4 ,she reached the house without seeing anybody1 and went straight up to her own room1 turning1 however1 at the door to wave her handkerchief4 ,sarah saw the signal1 and satisfied that the child was safe1 she went back to the spruce wood1 and sat down to consider what she should do next4 ,it is time the children were at home1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly1 presently4 ,oney1 you may tell ,willy to ring the bell in the garden4 ,oney called ,willy1 and then went up stairs for a clean apron4 ,as she did so she bethought herself to look into ,fanny's room and see whether there was a supply of water and clean towels4 ,to her great surprise1 she found ,fanny sitting by the window reading4 ,why1 ,fanny6 she exclaimed1 in surprise4 ,i thought you were up at the spring with ,annie4 ,where is she8 ,down stairs in the parlour1 of course1 said ,fanny1 vainly trying to speak in an ordinary tone4 ,i wish you would not come into my room without knocking1 ,oney4 ,i didn't know you were at home1 replied ,oney4 ,but are you sure ,annie is down stairs8 ,i haven't seen her4 ,of course she is4 ,do go away and let me alone1 can't you8 ,oney began at once to suspect that something was wrong4 ,she had no confidence in ,fanny1 and she had seen nothing of little ,annie4 ,she went directly down stairs and opened the parlour door4 ,well1 ,oney1 have you come to tell us that dinner is ready8 asked ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,dinner is pretty nearly ready1 replied ,oney4 ,is ,annie here8 ,annie8 ,no1 answered ,mrs4 ,cassell1 starting4 ,have the children come in8 ,i have not seen them4 ,fanny is up in her room1 and she just now told me that ,annie was down here1 said ,oney4 ,mrs4 ,cassell turned pale4 ,she was rather a nervous woman1 and she naturally felt a great deal of responsibility about ,annie4 ,don't be frightened1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,i dare say she is out with ,willy looking at the chickens4 ,as she spoke1 she went to the foot of the stairs and called1 ,fanny1 come down directly4 ,i have got my shoes and stockings off1 grandma1 answered ,fanny1 who had indeed stripped them off with all speed the moment ,oney had left the room4 ,mrs4 ,lilly went up stairs4 ,why are you barefooted8 was her first question4 ,i wet my feet1 and had to change my shoes and stockings1 answered ,fanny1 searching in her drawer for a pair of stockings1 and taking a long time to find them4 ,mrs4 ,lilly's quick eye fell on the boots which ,fanny had just taken off4 ,your shoes are as dry as a bone1 said she1 taking one of them in her hand4 ,but never mind that now4 ,where is ,annie8 ,down stairs1 ,i suppose1 answered ,fanny1 shortly4 ,where did you leave her8 ,i didn't leave her at all4 ,she ran away from me and came home1 said ,fanny4 ,cross1 hateful little thing6 ,i wish she had never come here4 ,put on your shoes and stockings and come down stairs1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,don't spend time looking in the drawer4 ,put on those you took off4 ,there was that in ,mrs4 ,lilly's voice and manner which made ,fanny afraid to trifle any longer4 ,she put on her shoes and stockings1 and followed down stairs sulkily enough4 ,now1 said she1 tell us just where you left ,annie4 ,short as the time was in which to do it1 ,fanny had made up her story1 and she told it glibly enough3 ,i was cutting some birch bark for ,annie1 and ,i dropped my knife1 and while ,i was looking for it1 ,annie said she did not like the woods and she would go back to the house4 ,i told her to wait a minute and ,i would go with her1 but she began to cry and scream and say she would go alone4 ,then ,i went with her to the garden and watched her almost into the house1 and then ,i went back to find my knife4 ,that does not sound at all like ,annie1 said ,mrs4 ,brandon4 ,she is not apt to cry because she cannot have her own way4 ,i don't know anything about that1 said ,fanny1 pertly4 ,i know she screamed loud enough this morning4 ,i should have come all the way with her1 only ,i wanted to find my knife1 and ,i didn't see what harm could happen to her between the garden fence and the house4 ,where can she be8 said ,mrs4 ,cassell4 ,she may have gone away with ,willy1 replied ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,he is very fond of children1 and very likely he has taken her off to see some wonderful sights in the barn4 ,willy is up in his room1 said ,oney4 ,i will call him4 ,but ,willy could give no account of ,annie4 ,he had not seen her since they were feeding the raccoon4 ,what shall we do8 said ,mrs4 ,cassell4 ,where can the child have gone8 ,is there any well or cistern that she can fall into8 ,oh no4 ,i never allow such things to be left uncovered4 ,fanny1 are you telling the truth8 ,did you really come with ,annie as far as the garden fence8 ,yes1 ,i did1 answered ,fanny1 positively4 ,i stood at the fence and watched her clear to the back door4 ,were you and ,annie alone at the spring1 or did you have company8 asked ,willy4 ,fanny made a face1 and did not answer4 ,why don't you answer ,willy's question8 asked ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,was ,sarah ,leyman with you8 ,i presume it was ,sarah that ,willy meant4 ,no1 answered ,fanny1 boldly4 ,sarah is very angry with me1 and won't speak to me because ,i would not give her some money4 ,she said1 the last time ,i saw her1 that she never meant to speak to me again4 ,but where can ,annie be8 asked ,willy4 ,i will go out and look round the yard4 ,maybe she has gone to see the coon again4 ,but in vain did they search the garden and yard2 no ,annie was to be found4 ,by this time the alarm grew very serious1 and in the midst of it1 ,mr4 ,brandon made his appearance4 ,you see ,i did come1 after all1 said he1 gayly1 as he entered the parlour4 ,i found my proofs could wait a day1 so ,i put them in my pocket and came along4 ,but what is the matter8 he asked1 in alarm1 for ,mrs4 ,brandon burst into tears on seeing him4 ,oh1 ,hugh1 ,annie is lost6 exclaimed his wife and mother together4 ,lost6 exclaimed ,mr4 ,brandon4 ,what do you mean8 ,mrs4 ,lilly told the story as she had heard it from ,fanny1 adding that they had searched the farm over1 and that both ,oney and ,willy were still looking4 ,mr4 ,brandon stood thinking for a moment4 ,come here1 ,fanny1 said he1 sitting down and drawing her toward him4 ,come here2 ,i want to talk to you4 ,now1 don't cry1 but tell me the plain truth4 ,how far did you go with ,annie8 ,to the garden fence1 replied ,fanny4 ,the back garden fence8 ,fanny assented4 ,how did ,annie get over the fence8 ,i let down the bars4 ,how could you do that when there are none8 asked ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,i don't mean that4 ,i took down two or three rails and put them up again4 ,well1 what then8 ,then ,i stood and watched her into the house1 and then ,i went back to find my knife4 ,why did ,annie want to come into the house8 was the next question4 ,i don't know4 ,i suppose she was afraid to stay alone4 ,this was an unlucky slip4 ,to stay alone6 repeated ,mr4 ,brandon4 ,to stay alone where8 ,she was not really alone1 said ,fanny1 seeing what a blunder she had made2 only she was down by the spring and ,i was up on the bank cutting the birch bark for her to play with4 ,you are sure you did not go out of sight8 ,no1 answered ,fanny1 snappishly4 ,i have said so ten times already4 ,you did not leave her to go away for anything but the bark8 ,only for the shells1 and we were not gone five minutes1 ,i am sure1 said ,fanny1 making another slip4 ',we'6 ,who was with you besides ,annie8 ,i just wish you would let me alone1 cried ,fanny1 bursting into a violent fit of crying4 ,you confuse me so ,i don't know what ,i am about4 ,but who do you mean by 'we'8 persisted ,mr4 ,brandon4 ,who was with you besides ,annie8 ,nobody2 and ,i wish she had not been there1 either1 the cross1 hateful little thing6 ,i won't stay here another day1 continued ,fanny1 working herself into a passion4 ,i will go to ,boston if ,i have to live in the poorhouse4 ,i won't stay here to be called a liar4 ,nobody has called you a liar1 but ,i very much fear that you are one1 said ,mr4 ,brandon1 gravely4 ,mrs4 ,lilly1 ,i am sorry to say so1 but this girl is not speaking the truth4 ,i believe she either went away and left ,annie alone at the spring1 or else sent her home alone4 ,i am afraid you are right1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly1 much distressed4 ,fanny1 do tell the truth4 ,think how much depends upon it--poor ,annie's life1 perhaps4 ,did you leave ,annie alone at the spring8 ,no1 ,i tell you1 snapped ,fanny4 ,why did you not come home with her8 asked ,mrs4 ,cassell4 ,you promised me not to leave her a moment4 ,i didn't leave her alone4 ,then what did you mean by saying you were not gone ten minutes8 ,i didn't say so4 ,and that was all that could be got out of ,fanny4 ,she would only cry1 and declare that she would go home to ,boston4 ,we are wasting time1 said ,mr4 ,brandon1 looking at his watch4 ,it is three o'clock now4 ,are there any men about the place1 ,mrs4 ,lilly8 ,no4 ,mr4 ,wye is over at ,b--1 and ,pat went away two or three days ago4 ,we must have help1 said ,mr4 ,brandon4 ,are you sure the farm has been thoroughly searched8 ,i believe so1 answered ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,can you think of any place where we have not looked1 ,oney8 ,there is the old quarry1 said ,oney1 rather reluctantly4 ,heaven help us6 groaned ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,she would never go there1 surely4 ,fanny1 you did not go near the old quarry1 did you8 ,no1 said ,fanny4 ,besides1 it is all covered up1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,oney shook her head4 ,it is not covered over1 said she4 ,i have just been down to see1 and the boards are gone4 ,if ,annie had taken a fancy to go and see the sheep-- ,we must have it searched at once1 said ,mr4 ,brandon4 ,willy1 bring me the rake1 a stout string1 and the largest pole you can find4 ,let me go with you1 said ,oney4 ,mrs4 ,lilly1 do make them eat something1 or at least drink a cup of tea4 ,the old lady looks ready to faint1 and it is enough to kill ,emma4 ,the old quarry was a deep pit which had been dug in the search for slates4 ,it was full of water1 and was usually kept closely covered1 but now1 as ,oney had said1 the boards were gone4 ,in fact1 ,sam ,leyman had helped himself to them only the night before for the purpose of mending his pig-pen4 ,mr4 ,brandon made a drag of the rake and some poles1 and satisfied himself that ,annie was not in the water4 ,well1 so far1 no news is good news1 he said1 trying to speak cheerfully1 as he entered the parlour4 ,we must have help at once and search the woods4 ,i have sent ,willy over to ,willson's and to call the ,crane boys1 and they will rouse all the men in the neighbourhood4 ,it was now four o'clock1 and there was no time to lose4 ,willy was a fast runner1 and soon left word at ,deacon ,crane's and ,mr4 ,willson's that a child was lost on the mountains1 and before half an hour1 four or five stout young men were on their way to ,mrs4 ,lilly's4 ,as ,willy came back through the edge of the woods1 he met ,sarah ,leyman slowly descending the steep path which here led up the mountain-side4 ,when ,sarah had seen ,fanny's signal1 she went back to the spruce wood where they had been talking together1 and sat down to think what she should do next4 ,she was deeply disappointed and mortified4 ,she had made up her mind that ,fanny would certainly lend her the money1 for she argued1 ,i am sure ,i would do as much for her in a minute if ,i had the money to lend4 ,building on this very uncertain foundation1 she had arranged all her plans4 ,she did not mean to tell of her intended journey at home1 for she knew that neither her father nor her mother would consent1 and she had very little notion of honouring or obeying her parents4 ,she had one decent dress4 ,she would buy herself a hat and some other things1 and take the night train1 which would land her at ,concord early in the morning--she was too often away all night for her absence to excite any surprise--and she would ask her aunt to write from ,concord as soon as she had found her4 ,she felt sure that ,aunt ,caroline would take ,ally if the matter were properly represented to her4 ,and then1 thought ,sarah1 ,i will buy a decent calico frock and go to work at anything ,i can find to do1 and ,i will save every cent till ,i have enough to pay ,fanny1 and perhaps do something for ma4 ,this was ,sarah's plan1 which she had thought over till it appeared perfectly easy and reasonable--always provided that ,fanny would lend her the money4 ,but ,fanny had absolutely refused to lend her the money1 and for no better reason than that she wanted to use it herself for things which her grandmother would not buy for her4 ,sarah could hardly believe it even now4 ,she had exposed her own life for ,fanny1 and ,fanny would not deny herself an ounce of sugar-plums for her4 ,sarah1 as ,i have said1 was by nature generous and loyal4 ,she had begun by loving ,fanny dearly1 and by fancying that such a pretty1 graceful girl must be all but perfect4 ,and though she had found out her mistake1 she had gone on loving ,fanny1 and in some degree trusting her4 ,but that was all over now4 ,her idol was effectually shattered1 and with it1 as it seemed1 all her fine plans for helping herself and ,ally4 ,she did not know where to look for the money which was necessary for the carrying out of her scheme4 ,she did not know of any way in which she could earn it1 or anybody she could ask to lend it to her1 unless1 indeed1 ,mrs4 ,lilly would help her4 ,this was a new idea1 and ,sarah turned it over in her mind as she sat on the dry1 rocky ground under the spruce trees4 ,mrs4 ,lilly had never been anything but kind to her1 and ,sarah was not disposed to resent the old lady's having forbidden ,fanny to play with her4 ,i should feel just so in her place1 ,i know1 she thought4 ,though1 after all1 ,i don't see that ,fanny is so much better than ,i am1 only her folks are respectable4 ,i wish ,i hadn't touched the pie4 ,it was real mean4 ,i wonder if she did laugh at me that night ,i came to the meeting8 ,i don't half believe it4 ,i believe ,fanny made up the story to scare me4 ,she was dreadfully afraid to have me see the old lady1 for fear she should find out something4 ,i have a great mind to go and see her--not to-day1 though1 because she has company4 ,what a cunning1 sweet little thing ,annie is6 ,i can think of ,ally being just like her if she only had a chance4 ,and then ,sarah began thinking over what ,annie had said about ,celia's returning the doll1 and to wonder1 if she should follow ,celia's example1 whether it would not be a right way of beginning that being good which she still desired2 and a verse came into her mind which she had heard long ago4 ,what was that8 ',if we confess our sins1 he is faithful to forgive us our sins'--something like that2 ,aunt ,sally used to say it1 and ,i guess it is in the ,bible somewhere4 ,if only ,i could tell of myself and not of ,fanny6 ,i don't want to get her into trouble4 ,sarah sat still for some time1 now pondering ,annie's simple remarks1 now turning over in her mind various plans1 possible and impossible1 for the accomplishment of her purpose4 ,at last she rose1 and ascending the mountain for some distance1 she began a busy search for certain ferns and flowering plants which grow in those higher regions4 ,mr4 ,brandon seemed to think so much of them1 she said to herself1 ,i will carry him a bunch of them1 and maybe ,i shall get a chance to speak to the old lady4 ,sarah had succeeded in her search1 and1 with full hands1 was descending the hill toward the house1 when she met ,willy4 ,sarah1 have you seen little ,annie ,mercer8 was ,willy's first greeting4 ,seen her8 ,no--not since twelve or one o'clock1 replied ,sarah1 in surprise4 ,why8 ,what do you mean8 ,what has happened to ,annie8 ,that is just what nobody knows1 replied ,willy4 ,she went up to the spring with ,fanny this morning1 and ,fanny says she brought her back as far as the garden fence and watched her almost into the house1 but she never came in1 and we can't find her anywhere4 ,where was she when you saw her8 ,she was up at the spring with ,fanny1 answered ,sarah4 ,does ,fanny say she took ,annie back to the garden8 ,yes1 but we don't know what to believe1 she tells so many different stories4 ,sarah had a quick mind1 and even while ,willy was speaking1 she saw all the terrible possibilities of the case4 ,it is not true1 ,willy1 said she1 speaking low1 but fast and clearly4 ,fanny never went back with ,annie4 ,we left her alone at the spring4 ,i never thought of any danger1 and ,i wanted to speak to ,fanny1 so ,i told ,annie to wait at the spring and ,i would bring her some shells4 ,then ,fanny and ,i went up on the hill and talked a little while1 and ,i found a lot of snail shells4 ,see1 here they are now4 ,when we came back1 ,annie was gone4 ,i supposed1 of course1 she had gone home1 and yet ,i felt a little uneasy1 so ,i made ,fanny go home1 and told her to wave her handkerchief if it was all right4 ,she did wave it1 and ,i thought ,annie was safe4 ,willy1 she is lost in the woods2 she has gone up on the mountain4 ,why do you think she has gone up8 asked ,willy4 ,lost children always do1 replied ,sarah4 ,they always go up and up4 99 ,don't stop to talk4 ,run home and tell them how it was1 and bid them send for old ,john ,steeprock and his dog directly4 ,tell them that it was my fault1 but that ,i never thought of any danger1 and that ,i am going to look for ,annie myself4 99 ,this is the general belief in mountainous countries4 ,i do not vouch for its truth4 ,but you will be lost too1 said ,willy1 divided between anger and admiration4 ,it is almost night1 and you will lose your way1 and perhaps die in the woods4 ,never mind me1 returned ,sarah4 ,i know the mountain pretty well1 and sha'n't die for staying out one night in the woods4 ,and if ,i should1 nobody will miss me but ,ally4 ,never mind me1 but run home2 only1 ,willy-- ,willy came back to hear4 ,tell ,mrs4 ,lilly ,i stole the pie and ,i am sorry1 and ask her1 if anything happens to me1 to be good to ,ally4 ,and ,sarah turned and went rapidly up the steep path4 ,willy ran down toward the house and speedily entered the parlour1 where ,mr4 ,brandon was again trying to extract the truth from ,fanny4 ,fanny now varied so far from her first story as to say that she only came with ,annie to the fence and went back again4 ,that is all stuff1 ,mr4 ,brandon1 said ,willy1 unceremoniously bursting into the conversation4 ,fanny never came with her an inch4 ,she went up in the spruce woods with ,sarah ,leyman1 and left ,annie alone at the spring4 ,how do you know1 ,willy8 asked ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,who told you8 ,sarah herself told me just now1 replied ,willy4 ,and he repeated the conversation he had just held with ,sarah1 adding1 ,and1 ,grandma ,lilly1 she says she took that pie that day1 and she is very sorry1 and if anything happens to her1 will you please be good to ,ally8 ,where is ,sarah ,leyman8 asked ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,she has gone up on the mountain to look for ,annie4 ,lord help her1 what can she do8 said ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,she will only be lost herself4 ,i don't know about that1 said ,willy2 ,sarah knows the mountain pretty well4 ,and oh1 ,i forgot3 ,sarah says you must go up the mountain1 because lost children always go up1 and you must send for old ,john ,steeprock and his dog directly4 ,that is an excellent suggestion1 said ,mr4 ,brandon4 ,i did not know the old man was alive4 ,he6 ,he will live for ever1 ,i believe1 said ,oney1 speaking according to the common ,indian belief1 unless he gets tired of it1 and stops of his own accord4 ,suppose ,i jump on ,john ,crane's horse and go after the old man myself4 ,i can coax him round if he happens to be in one of his sulky fits4 ,do1 ,oney6 ,oh1 ,fanny1 if you had only told us this at first1 instead of lying so6 exclaimed ,mrs4 ,lilly1 wringing her hands4 ,just see how much time we have lost by your wickedness6 ,i don't care4 ,i'm sure it was not my fault that ,sarah wanted to speak to me1 replied ,fanny4 ,and ,i should have told1 only you told me not to play with ,sarah4 ,and ,i'm sure ,i couldn't help it1 and ,i didn't mean to1 cried ,fanny1 with a full burst of sobs4 ,it is all your fault1 telling me not to play with her4 ,go up to your room and stay there1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,i wish you had never come into my house4 ,i'm sure ,i didn't want to come1 sobbed ,fanny4 ,i wanted to go with my mother1 and ,i always knew that you didn't know how to manage me4 ,mrs4 ,lilly took ,fanny by the man and led her to her own room4 ,what happened there ,i have no means of knowing1 but ,i very much suspect that ,fanny got1 as the nurses say1 something to cry for4 ,if she did1 it must be confessed that she got no more than her deserts4 ,in a very short time1 ,oney came back with ,john ,steeprock1 an old ,indian of her own tribe1 who had lived on the outskirts of the mountain time out of mind1 and from his strength and activity seemed likely to live much longer4 ,steeprock listened to the story4 ,bad--bad6 said he1 shaking his head4 ,s'pose fog come down1 little girl maybe die4 ,s'pose she full into hole--bad business6 ,mr4 ,brandon was about to speak1 but ,oney whispered to him1 ,don't interrupt him2 let him manage his own way4 ,if you put him in a bad humour1 you won't get any good of him4 ,let him go on his own way4 ,old ,steeprock ruminated for a minute in silence4 ,then he said1 ,you got little girl's shoe8 ,mrs4 ,cassell had bought a second pair of shoes for ,annie1 and she quickly produced them4 ,good6 said the old man1 taking them in his hand4 ,now we go up to the spring4 ,you call the other boys4 ,the searching party were soon assembled at the spring4 ,it was now nearly six o'clock1 and a fine though cool evening4 ,steeprock looked about him1 examined the ground carefully1 and at last seemed to make up his mind4 ,you let me be captain8 he asked4 ,yes1 yes4 ,manage it your own way1 said two or three of the men4 ,good6 returned the old man1 evidently much gratified4 ,you all got guns or pistols8 ,three or four guns and revolvers were produced4 ,good6 said ,steeprock1 again4 ,now1 then1 you ,crane boys1 go 'that' way2 you ,willsons1 go 'that' way1 indicating the direction with his finger4 ,if you find her alive1 shoot three times2 if dead1 only once4 ,the men moved off1 leaving ,steeprock and ,mr4 ,brandon by the spring4 ,steeprock called his dog1 which was hunting about in the fallen leaves1 talked to him in the ,indian language1 and held ,annie's little shoe to his nose4 ,the dog smelled it1 wagged his tail1 and began snuffing the ground1 till1 having found what he sought1 he set off at a rapid pace up the path which ,fanny and ,sarah had taken4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,,on ,,the ,,mountain4 ,,and where was ,annie all this time8 ,hurrying along toward the top of the great mountain as fast as her weary little legs could carry her1 often stumbling and falling1 now and then sitting down to rest and get her breath and cry for grandma and ,fanny1 and then drying her tears and setting off again4 ,annie had waited at the spring for what seemed a very long time1 though in reality it was not more than twenty minutes4 ,she had never been alone in the woods before4 ,indeed1 she had never been in the woods at all1 and she began to be a little scared at the loneliness1 and at the kind of murmuring1 whispering silence which prevailed around her4 ,she thought at first that she would go home1 and then she reflected that perhaps grandma would not like it if she came home alone4 ,she was not quite sure that she could climb the fence1 and ,sarah had said something1 she did not know exactly what1 about a bull4 ,then an odd fancy came into her silly little head4 ,mary ,patterson1 who was an ,english girl1 had told her about the gypsies and how they stole children4 ,what if that dark1 wild-looking girl with the curly hair should be a gypsy1 who had coaxed ,fanny into the woods to do her some mischief8 ,but ,i won't believe any such nonsense1 said ,annie1 stoutly4 ,fanny knew her before1 and she was real good to me4 ,i dare say she is looking for snail shells all the time4 ,i wonder if there would be any harm in my going a little way up the path to see if they are coming8 ,annie hesitated a minute or two1 and then she concluded to venture4 ,she went a little way and then a little farther1 and then she saw a very pretty sight--no less than a family of young squirrels at play on a fallen tree4 ,she watched them for a few minutes1 and then ventured a little nearer and a little nearer4 ,then she saw a beautiful flower1 and thought she would get it for ,uncle ,hugh4 ,she did so1 and then all at once bethinking herself that the girls might come back and miss her1 she turned round and hurried back toward the spring4 ,she walked on and on1 wondering that she did not come to the place1 and that she saw so many things which she had not noticed before4 ,meantime1 the path1 such as it was1 grew narrower and rougher1 till all at once ,annie found herself at a spring1 indeed1 but not the one she had left nor at all like it4 ,this spring boiled up in a little pool at the foot of a precipice so high that ,annie could hardly see the top1 and the rocks seemed just ready to fall on her head4 ,in fact1 many of them had already fallen1 and lay round in wild confusion1 while the earth between them was soft and boggy1 so that ,annie had wet her boots through and through before she was aware4 ,in the midst of the rocks and in the water lay a good many bones bleached and scattered4 ,annie did not know enough to perceive that they were the bones of a sheep or calf4 ,she had a kind of horror of dry bones1 and would never touch or go near one if she could help it1 and she turned and hurried away out of sight of the place4 ,she had the sense to see that this was not the spring she had left1 and she thought she must return to that as quickly as possible4 ,so she turned and ran back again1 taking1 as she supposed1 the same path1 but she only involved herself in fresh difficulties4 ,and at last1 thoroughly bewildered1 she sat down to rest and to think what she had better do4 ,she looked round4 ,the place was so entirely strange that it might almost have been in another world from that which the little girl had inhabited hitherto4 ,great black evergreen trees grew all around her1 and the ground beneath was brown and slippery from the fallen spruce and hemlock needles4 ,great rocks peeped through the soil1 or lay scattered upon it1 as if they had at some time fallen from the sky4 ,everything was very still1 but as ,annie listened she heard at a great distance1 as it seemed1 a strange wild scream and then another4 ,it was the cry of the eagles which lived on the upper part of the mountain1 but ,annie did not know that4 ,gradually1 as she sat there1 the knowledge grew upon her that she did not know where she was1 that she was lost--lost on the great mountain1 where ,sarah had warned her not to go on any account1 where1 as she knew1 more than one person had been lost and never found again4 ,perhaps the bones were those of people who had strayed away before her1 who had died all alone in the woods and had never even been buried4 ,that was a silly fancy1 but ,annie was only a very little girl1 and older and wiser people have lost their heads on being lost in the woods4 ,she burst into tears and called aloud for grandma and ,uncle ,hugh1 but stopped suddenly1 for somebody or something in the woods seemed mocking her1 repeating the words over and over again1 fainter and fainter every time4 ,it was only the mountain echo1 but ,annie did not know anything about echoes4 ,she was frightened at the sound2 and starting to her feet1 she ran away as fast as she could1 which was not very fast1 for the ground began to be very steep and rugged4 ,by this time1 ,annie was quite beside herself4 ,she remembered that they had come up hill all the way to ,mrs4 ,lilly's1 and that grandma had told her before leaving home that morning that ,mrs4 ,lilly lived on the mountain1 and she reasoned in her confused little mind that if she could only climb high enough1 she should find the old red house and grandma4 ,so she climbed on1 often falling and hurting herself1 now getting on easily a little way1 now stopping to rest4 ,and once finding a bed of soft green moss1 she lay down and slept for two or three hours1 the deep1 heavy sleep of exhaustion4 ,when she awoke1 it was nearly dark in the woods1 for the sun was below the mountain-top1 though he still shone on the other side4 ,annie felt weak and exhausted1 but her sleep had refreshed her1 and after she remembered where she was and how she came there1 she rose and struggled on4 ,at last she could go no farther1 and it was well she could not1 for she was now come into a very dangerous part of the mountain1 where there were many deep holes and cracks1 some of them partly filled with water4 ,if she had fallen into one of them1 she would probably never be found again either dead or alive1 for the place had an ill name1 and few even of the boldest hunters ever came near it4 ,annie sat down on the ground in dumb despair1 too wretched even to cry1 too hopeless to make another effort4 ,she sat on the ground1 with her elbows on her knees and her hands supporting her chin1 and thought about herself and her condition almost as if she had been another person4 ,she was lost on the mountain like the poor hunter she had heard of2 and1 like him1 she would most likely never be found again4 ,she would die there in that lonely place and never go home1 never see the new baby sister who had come since she left home1 and never1 never see papa and mamma any more4 ,she thought of her little cousin ,grace ,belden--how she had died in her crib in the safe1 warm nursery1 with mamma holding her hands and talking to her about heaven and the ,lord ,jesus4 ,there would be nobody to hold her hand and talk to her when she was dying1 nor to dress her body in soft white cashmere and lay it tenderly in the little white coffin1 as they had done with ,grace--nobody to take her to the church and read the funeral service1 and sing a funeral hymn so softly and sweetly1 as ,mrs4 ,terry and her daughters had done for ,grace4 ,perhaps the robins would cover her body with leaves1 as they had done with the babes in the wood1 and the angels would come and carry her away to heaven4 ,she did not think she should be afraid of them if they looked like the picture which hung in mamma's room at home4 ,but oh1 she did want to see mamma once more4 ,she rose and tried to walk1 but she sat down directly4 ,one of her boots had come off1 and she had so hurt her foot on the sharp stones that it bled4 ,besides1 her head was dizzy1 and a mist came over her eyes when she stood up4 ,no2 she must just sit still where she was1 and perhaps somebody would come4 ,she had lighted on a place where she could sit down and lean her back against a rock4 ,she had not climbed directly up1 but rather in a slanting direction along the side of the mountain4 ,still1 she had climbed very high--higher than any one would believe who did not know how fast and how far lost children will travel4 ,the wind blew cool1 and ,annie was thinly dressed1 for it had been a warm day1 and nobody had expected her to be out in the evening4 ,the cold and fatigue made her drowsy1 and she was almost asleep1 when she suddenly started to her feet4 ,had she dreamed it8 ,was it one of the voices which had mocked her in the woods and whispered in the tops of the trees1 or had some one called her name8 ,she listened intently4 ,yes1 it was so4 ,annie6 ,annie ,mercer6 rung out in a clear voice4 ,annie1 are you here8 ,yes1 oh yes6 called ,annie1 in a joyful tone4 ,oh1 do come6 ,i am coming4 ,keep still where you are4 ,don't stir6 called the voice again4 ,annie stood like a statue1 hardly breathing4 ,she heard steps among the dry leaves1 and in another moment1 ,sarah ,leyman burst through the bushes and caught the child in her arms4 ,you blessed1 dear little thing1 ,i have found you at last6 exclaimed ,sarah1 kissing ,annie as if she would eat her up4 ,but how in the world did you ever come here8 ,were you scared at the spring8 ,i was very naughty1 said ,annie1 penitently4 ,i ought to have minded1 but ,i didn't4 ,and ,i went up the hill to find you1 and there ,i saw some squirrels4 ,and ,i tried to go back1 and then ,i came to a place where it was all wet1 and there were bones1 said ,annie1 in a terrified whisper4 ,i thought they were the bones of people who had been lost2 were they8 ,oh no1 said ,sarah2 they were the bones of some animal which had fallen off the rocks4 ,well1 what then8 ,then ,i knew that ,i was lost1 and ,i tried to find my way1 and ,i couldn't1 and when ,i came up here ,i couldn't get any further1 and so ,i sat down4 ,and a very good thing you did1 said ,sarah4 ,but who would have thought of your getting so far8 ,how did you find me8 asked ,annie4 ,that's more than ,i can tell you1 ,annie4 ,i followed your track pretty well to the green spring1 and then it was pretty much all chance or something else--,i don't know what4 ,i could see that you had started to go up the hill1 and ,i kept on after you1 till by and by ,i found the place where you lay down and left your hat4 ,see1 here it is4 ,then ,i knew ,i was right so far1 and ,i don't know why1 but ,i felt sure you had come up here4 ,and ,sarah kissed ,annie once more4 ,it was very good in you to come and find me1 said ,annie1 returning the kiss4 ,i thought ,i should die all alone1 and nobody would know where ,i was1 nor bury me1 nor anything1 she continued1 piteously4 ,and when ,i called1 something kept mocking me1 and whispering in the trees overhead4 ,that was only the echo and the wind in the trees1 replied ,sarah4 ,it could not hurt you4 ,i didn't know that1 said ,annie2 it made me afraid4 ,won't you take me home to grandma8 ,sarah's face darkened4 ,she compressed her lips and looked round her4 ,it was now dark1 and though the moon was risen1 she gave them but little light4 ,why1 there's the trouble1 ,annie1 said she4 ,i don't see how we are to get home to-night4 ,but ,i must go home1 said the little girl1 her wide blue eyes full of terror4 ,i can't stay out in the woods all night4 ,oh1 please1 please1 do take me home to grandma6 wailed the poor child1 in piteous tones4 ,it is so dreadful up here1 and ,i want to go to my own little bed4 ,sarah sat down and took ,annie on her lap1 holding her fast1 for the poor child was so horrified at the thought of staying out all night that she had started to run away4 ,annie dear1 listen to me1 said she1 kindly but firmly4 ,stop crying1 and sit still and try to listen and understand4 ,annie was a docile little thing1 and she had always been taught to mind4 ,she stopped struggling1 sat still1 and presently checked her sobs and looked up in ,sarah's face4 ,i am good now1 said she4 ,won't you take me home8 ,i want to tell you about it1 said ,sarah1 still holding her4 ,i should like to take you home and to go home myself4 ,i don't want to stay out in the woods any more than you do4 ,but you see it is quite dark1 only the moon shines a little4 ,there are a great many dangerous holes and precipices round here4 ,and if we should try to go down the mountain in the dark1 we should most likely fall and be killed1 and then we should never see grandma any more4 ,i don't see but we must stay here till morning1 and then we will go down4 ,but we haven't any beds nor any supper1 objected ,annie4 ,and ,i am so hungry1 ,i don't know what to do4 ,sarah put her hand into her pocket and brought out two ginger cakes which she had brought from home4 ,here is some supper for you1 said she2 and as for beds1 we must do the best we can4 ,sit still here and eat your cakes1 and ,i will see what ,i can do4 ,there6 ,don't be frightened2 ,i am not going away1 she said1 in a soothing tone1 as ,annie threw her arms around her neck and clung to her4 ,i wouldn't leave you for anything4 ,somewhat reassured and very hungry1 ,annie sat down and ate her cakes1 while ,sarah looked about among the rocks1 where she presently found a little nook well enough suited to her purpose--a kind of recess or cave formed by two great slabs of stone1 leaning one against the other4 ,this will do1 said she to herself2 now for a bed4 ,she dared not go far away to seek materials1 but she broke off all the evergreen boughs within reach1 and arranged them into a couch1 spreading her own apron over them4 ,there6 ,that is the best that ,i can do1 said she1 returning to ,annie's side4 ,it is no great thing of a bed1 but it is better than nothing4 ,now let me loosen your clothes1 and you shall lie down and sleep like a little kitten1 and ,i will watch by you4 ,don't be afraid4 ,i don't think anything will come near us4 ,and will you hear me say my prayers8 asked ,annie4 ,grandma always does1 or mamma when ,i am at home4 ,oh dear6 ,what would mamma say if she could see where ,i am8 ,i am very glad she does not1 was ,sarah's thought4 ,but she only said1 ,yes1 dear1 ,i will hear you say your prayers4 ,annie knelt down and repeated her simple prayer1 ending1 as usual1 with1 ,god bless papa and mamma1 grandmamma and all my friends1 and dear little baby sister2 to which she added1 ,and bless ,sarah because she came to find me1 and please keep us safe1 and let somebody come and find us pretty soon4 ,now lie down and let me cover you up warm1 said ,sarah1 after a little silence4 ,i will sit down here close by you4 ,she laid ,annie down as she spoke1 and heaped the branches under her head1 so as to make a pillow4 ,then she laid the child's jacket over her and put more branches over her feet4 ,thank you1 said ,annie4 ,may ,i say my evening hymn now8 ,yes1 do4 ,say all the hymns you know4 ,i love to hear them4 ,are you warm8 ,not very1 said ,annie4 ,sarah took off her woollen frock and laid it over the child1 and then sat down by her4 ,now listen1 ,annie1 said she1 impressively1 laying her hand on the child's arm4 ,when you wake up1 whether it is night or morning1 don't you stir4 ,you may speak to me1 but if ,i don't answer1 don't you move4 ,lie still1 and somebody will come and find you4 ,will you remember8 ,yes1 answered ,annie2 ,i will do just as you tell me4 ,that is a good girl4 ,now1 say your hymns and try to go to sleep4 ,annie began to repeat her hymn1 but presently her voice died away and she was silent4 ,sarah hoped she was asleep1 but presently she roused up again3 ,sarah6 ,well1 dear1 here ,i am4 ,i forgot to say my ,bible verse--the verse ,i learn every morning1 you know4 ,well1 say it now4 ',i will both lay me down in peace1 and sleep3 for thou1 ,lord1 only makest me dwell in safety1' repeated ,annie1 reverently4 ,i don't think we ought to be afraid1 ,sarah4 ,i think he will take care of us4 ,annie1 said ,sarah1 suppose you had been very naughty indeed4 ,do you think he would take care of you or care anything about you then8 ,why1 yes1 answered ,annie1 simply1 because he does take care of all the wicked people all the time4 ,they couldn't live if he didn't4 ,a great wonder rose in ,sarah's mind4 ,had her heavenly ,father really been taking care of her all this time1 as ,aunt ,sally used to say he would8 ,she thought of all the risks she had run in her wild rambles1 of her encounter with the bull4 ,had he really taken care of her8 ,was it his hand which had guided her to ,annie8 ,and suppose we have been very wicked and are sorry and want to be good1 what must we do8 she asked4 ,we must be very sorry and ask him to forgive us and make us better1 and we must try never to do so again1 she answered4 ,and will he forgive us and help us if we do so8 ,yes1 it says so in the ,bible4 ,i don't remember the words4 ,never mind1 said ,sarah4 ,go to sleep like a good girl1 and remember what ,i said to you about lying still4 ,i will1 said ,annie4 ,please kiss me goodnight4 ,the two children--for ,sarah was not much more--kissed each other tenderly4 ,then ,annie lay down to sleep1 and ,sarah sat by her1 shivering with the cold1 her bare arms exposed to the wind4 ,at last she crept close to ,annie's side1 within the shelter of the rock2 and leaning against the side of the little cave1 she fell into an uneasy slumber4 ,illustration3 ,on the ,mountain4 ,if you find her1 you shall have more dollars than ever you saw in your life4 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,the ,,search4 ,,john ,,steeprock',s dog guided his master and ,mr4 ,brandon straight to the green spring1 but there he seemed puzzled4 ,he smelt about1 ran here and there1 and finally came back to his master1 as if baffled in the search4 ,steeprock patted him1 talked to him in his own language1 and again showed him the little shoe1 and the dog again set off up the side of the mountain1 but at a slower pace and as if still somewhat uncertain4 ,what ails him8 asked ,mr4 ,brandon4 ,somebody else been here--been here only a little while ago4 ,don't you be scared1 ,hugh4 ,dog know heap4 ,so ,i see1 replied ,hugh4 ,john1 if you find her1 you shall have more dollars than ever you saw in your life4 ,dollars very good1 said the ,indian1 philosophically--good to buy tobacco and powder1 and clothes1 he added1 after some consideration4 ,but s'pose you no got one dollar in the world1 me find nice little girl all the same4 ,you light um lantern4 ,what do you think the chances are8 asked ,hugh as he stopped to light the lantern4 ,don't know1 was answered rather gruffly4 ,tell better when we get through4 ,perhaps the others will find her first4 ,they no find her1 said ,steeprock4 ,they good boys--want to do something2 so me tell them run1 go where they do no harm1 he added1 in a tone of benevolent condescension4 ,you and me1 we get um out of the way1 and then go find her4 ,me old man1 but know something yet4 ,i should think so1 said ,hugh1 laughing despite his anxiety4 ,how old are you8 ,don't know1 exactly1 replied the ,indian4 ,you know when the great war was when ,king ,george's men fight the ,yankees at ,bennington8 ,yes1 said ,hugh4 ,well1 then me tall boy1 about like ,john ,crane4 ,then ,i went on the war-path with my father1 the first time ,i ever take scalps4 ,why1 you must be over a hundred years old1 said ,hugh1 in surprise4 ,is that possible8 ,very old man--just as ,i tell you4 ,that day ,i took two scalps--got 'em now4 ,when ,i die1 ,i leave 'em to you1 ,hugh1 said ,john1 with a benevolent air and tone1 as of one who bestows a valuable curiosity4 ,you good boy4 ,i always like you4 ,waugh6 exclaimed ,john1 interrupting himself with the ,indian's startling and inexpressible exclamation of surprise as he held his light to the ground4 ,what now8 asked ,hugh4 ,another girl gone up here--not long ago1 either4 ,that make the dog so puzzled and uneasy4 ,another girl6 exclaimed ,hugh1 in astonishment4 ,how do you know8 ,how ,i know anything8 ,how you know what words mean when you read um book8 ,see um track plain as writing4 ,gone up about two hours ago4 ,it must be ,sarah ,leyman1 said ,hugh4 ,willy said she had gone to look for ,annie4 ,maybe so4 ,that ,leyman girl all same as ,indian4 ,waugh6 exclaimed ,steeprock again as the dog came running back to them with something in his mouth4 ,it was ,annie's little boot4 ,all right1 said ,steeprock1 showing it to ,hugh4 ,she been right up here1 and the other after her4 ,then she must be near1 dead or alive1 said ,hugh4 ,the ,indian shook his head gravely4 ,maybe so--maybe not4 ,lost children travel very fast4 ,maybe she gone clear up above the trees4 ,come on4 ,and he resumed his walk1 climbing the more difficult path so fast that ,hugh1 though an experienced woodsman1 had some trouble in keeping up with him4 ,sarah had slept about two hours1 when she was awakened by the cold4 ,she put her hand on ,annie4 ,the child felt warm and was breathing softly4 ,she rose with some difficulty1 for she was stiff with the cold and from the cramped position in which she had been sitting4 ,the moon had now risen high enough to throw a good deal of light on the place where they were1 and ,sarah could see to move about a little4 ,she walked to and fro on the narrow level platform in front of ,annie's shelter1 to warm herself1 and then began to pull more evergreen boughs and to lay them over ,annie4 ,i must keep awake if ,i can1 she said to herself4 ,if ,i sleep1 ,i shall be chilled to death1 and then what will become of the child8 ,i don't care so much about myself4 ,i know ,mrs4 ,lilly would find some way to befriend ,ally1 and perhaps she would be all the better without me4 ,as she spoke these words half aloud1 she brushed ,annie's face with one of the branches she was laying over her4 ,annie opened her eyes4 ,what are you doing1 ,mary8 she said1 in a sleepy tone4 ,getting some more clothes to lay over you1 replied ,sarah4 ,are you warm enough8 ,yes1 ,i am as warm as toast1 but the bed feels so hard and lumpy4 ,then waking more fully and realizing where she was1 she broke out into a pitiful little wail3 ,oh1 ,sarah1 ,i thought ,i was at home in my own nursery1 and mamma was just saying1 ',annie1 don't let ,pick lie on the clean pillow4' ,oh dear6 ,i shall never see mamma nor ,pick any more4 ,sarah could not speak1 but she put her arms round ,annie and kissed her and held her in a close embrace4 ,am ,i naughty to cry8 asked ,annie1 presently4 ,no1 dear1 you are not naughty1 but ,i wouldn't cry if ,i could help it4 ,you will only make yourself sick1 and ,i am sure mamma would not like that4 ,tell me all about ,pick4 ,is he your dog8 ,no2 he is my cat1 and ,i have had him--oh1 such a long time6 ,sarah asked various questions about ,pick1 and ,annie was gradually diverted from her grief to talk of his beauty and accomplishments4 ,you haven't any brothers and sisters1 have you8 asked ,sarah4 ,no2 only little baby sister that ,i haven't seen yet4 ,grace ,belden used to live at our house and be my sister1 but she is dead now4 ,she died in the winter before ,i came here4 ,people die everywhere1 don't they1 ,sarah8 ,yes1 dear1 and they live everywhere too1 answered ,sarah4 ,grace never went up on the mountain1 continued ,annie1 pursuing the current of her own thoughts4 ,she never went into any dangerous places1 and she had mamma and ,mary to take care of her4 ,and yet she died1 you see1 said ,sarah4 ,and people have been in much more dangerous places than this1 and yet they have lived4 ,have they8 asked ,annie4 ,what sort of places8 ,shipwrecks and earthquakes and battles and fires1 said ,sarah4 ,i read the other day of a baby which was carried off by a tiger1 and yet it was saved4 ,my papa has been in a great many battles1 and he never was even wounded1 said ,annie4 ,do you think we shall ever get away from here1 ,sarah8 ,oh yes1 returned ,sarah1 hopefully4 ,everybody will be looking for you by this time4 ,but you must mind what ,i tell you1 and not stir from this place1 whatever happens4 ,i will mind1 said ,annie4 ,but won't you be here1 ,sarah8 ,yes1 but ,i might be asleep or something1 answered ,sarah4 ,she began to realize their position more clearly than she had done before4 ,they were a long way from any frequented part of the mountain4 ,it was very cold1 and she was thinly dressed1 even if she had not given up her frock to ,annie1 and she thought it not unlikely that she might be chilled to death by morning4 ,annie1 said she1 do you know any more ,bible verses8 ,oh yes1 a great many4 ,say them for me1 will you8 ,they will help to pass away the time4 ,annie repeated her texts reverently4 ,sarah listened with fixed attention4 ,say that again1 said she1 as ,annie repeated1 ',come unto me1 all ye that labour4' ,who said that8 ,the ,lord ,jesus1 answered ,annie2 and oh1 ,sarah1 ,i know some more pretty verses1 about a lost sheep4 ,they were in my lesson last ,sunday4 ,and ,annie repeated the parable beginning1 ',what man of you1 having an hundred sheep--' ,grandma said that meant the ,lord ,jesus1 said ,annie4 ,she said his people were his sheep2 and when one of them strays away and gets lost1 he goes and finds him and brings him back4 ',we' are lost in the wilderness1 you know1 ,sarah4 ,i know ',i' am1 said ,sarah1 sadly4 ,and so ,i think he will send some one to find us4 ,is it almost morning8 ,not yet1 but it will be pretty soon4 ,i guess you had better lie down again4 ,i am afraid you will catch cold4 ,i 'am' cold1 said ,annie1 shivering4 ,are you8 ,lie down1 and ,i will lie down by you2 then we can keep each other warm4 ,annie was soon asleep again1 but ,sarah could not sleep4 ,she was too cold and anxious2 and besides that1 her head was full of new ideas4 ,was ,god really her ,father8 ,had he taken care of her all these years that she had gone on never thinking of him or caring to please him8 ,did he really love her1 and was she one of those lost sheep the ,lord had come to find8 ,she began to think over all she had heard about him4 ,it was not much4 ,as she had truly told ,fanny1 her father would not permit good books to come into his house4 ,all she knew of the sacred volume she had learned by reading it in the district school1 and she had never been to school very regularly4 ,yet she could remember a good many things1 after all4 ,there was the verse ,deacon ,crane had talked about at the meeting that night4 ,suppose she should confess her sins then and there1 would ,he indeed forgive them and take them all away1 as the deacon had said8 ,yes1 it was all true4 ,she felt quite sure that it was true4 ,she hid her face in her hands for a long time2 and when she again raised it1 her bright black eyes were wet with tears1 and her face wore an expression of peaceful awe4 ,she drew the covering closer over ,annie1 and lay down as near as possible to her side1 repeating ,annie's verse1 ',i will both lay me down in peace1 and sleep4' ,she had hardly lost herself five minutes when something roused her4 ,she sat up and listened intently4 ,yes1 some animal was coming up the mountain-side directly toward them4 ,she could hear the patter of its feet on the dry leaves1 and her heart beat fast and thick4 ,could it be a wolf or a panther8 ,it was not unlikely1 for there were plenty of them on the other side of the mountain1 she knew4 ,she could now hear the sound distinctly1 and see the movement of the branches below4 ,oh for a club or a stout stick6 ,she snatched up a stone--the only weapon she could find--and threw herself directly before ,annie1 but she dropped it the next moment as the supposed wolf pushed his way through the bushes and sprung upon her neck1 licking her face and hands and yelping with delight4 ,hugh and ,steeprock were still some distance below1 and had stopped an instant to take breath1 when ,fox came dashing down toward them4 ,he ran to his master1 jumped upon him1 and then ran back the way he had come4 ,the ,indian uttered a yell which resounded far and wide2 and springing forward as if his great age had been no more than five-and-twenty1 he bounded up the mountain-side at a pace which left ,hugh far behind4 ,hugh followed as quickly as he could1 and stood at his side4 ,the old man was bending down1 and beckoned him to approach4 ,there lay ,annie1 fast asleep on her bed of leaves1 and across the entrance of the little cave lay ,sarah1 looking as if she were in the sleep that knows no waking in this world4 ,are they dead8 ,hugh managed somehow to ask4 ,not the little one1 replied ,steeprock4 ,she fast asleep4 ,you got bottle in your pocket8 ,hugh produced his travelling-flask1 and with some difficulty forced some of the spirit it contained between ,sarah's lips4 ,she gasped1 sighed1 and opened her eyes4 ,where is ,annie8 was her first question4 ,here1 safe and sound4 ,annie dear1 wake up4 ,here is ,uncle ,hugh come for you4 ,uncle ,hugh6 said ,annie1 sitting up and rubbing her eyes4 ,how did you come here8 ,i came after you1 my little lost lamb1 said ,mr4 ,brandon1 taking ,annie in his arms1 but ,i see somebody was before me4 ,my dear girl1 what has become of your frock8 ,i put it over ,annie1 said ,sarah1 blushing crimson1 and shrinking into the farthest corner of the cave1 as she suddenly remembered that she was half undressed4 ,i was so afraid she would freeze to death4 ,and pulling out her dress from among the green branches1 she slipped it on with all speed4 ,ugh6 ,s'pose you freeze yourself1 said ,steeprock4 ,what you say now1 ,hugh8 ,didn't ,i tell you another girl gone up here8 ,old ,indian no fool1 eh8 ,no1 indeed6 ,but who could guess that they could both reach this place without being killed8 ,god took care of us1 ,i guess1 said ,annie1 who was now quite cool and collected4 ,but how did you know where we were8 ,it was this good old man who found you1 my dear1 said ,hugh1 turning to ,steeprock1 who was composedly filling his pipe by way of improving the time4 ,but ,i am afraid all our finding would have been in vain1 only for ,sarah4 ,my dear girl1 how shall we ever thank you8 ,you needn't thank me at all1 replied ,sarah1 rather gruffly4 ,annie never would have been lost only for me4 ,it was all my fault1 leaving her alone in the first place4 ,no1 it wasn't your fault1 either1 said ,annie1 rather petulantly4 ,i ought to have minded1 and stayed at the spring when you went to get the snail shells for me4 ,did you find any8 ,yes1 here they are in my pocket1 said ,sarah1 laughing rather hysterically4 ,i will get you something prettier some day4 ,and you made my bed and put your own frock over me1 and heard me say my prayers1 and all1 continued ,annie4 ,i think you are the 'bestest' girl in the world4 ,pretty nice girl6 said ,steeprock1 approvingly4 ,once ,i had a daughter just so big4 ,you pretty nice girl too4 ,s'pose you got kiss for old ,indian8 ,annie put up her face to be kissed1 though4 ,she felt considerable awe of the old man4 ,now we go home1 continued ,steeprock4 ,you take the baby1 and ,i take this one4 ,i'm not a baby1 said ,annie1 indignantly4 ,i am seven years old1 and ,i can read and write4 ,oh no2 you great big woman1 said the ,indian1 soothingly4 ,all the same2 you let ,hugh carry you4 ,annie was very willing to be carried1 and the party set out to return4 ,the proverb that to go down the hill is easy is not always true1 by any means4 ,the descent in the present instance was both difficult and dangerous4 ,they could only go very slowly and carefully1 and ,sarah1 who was much exhausted1 fell more than once4 ,you fire your pistol1 said ,steeprock1 at last4 ,maybe someone hear and come to meet us4 ,this girl can't walk much farther4 ,she clear worn out4 ,never mind me1 said ,sarah1 sitting down wearily4 ,i can stay here very well4 ,just carry ,annie home1 and leave me here4 ,that would not do at all1 said ,mr4 ,brandon4 ,he fired three shots as he spoke--the signal which had been agreed upon4 ,an answering shout told that he had been heard1 and presently three or four of the young men came up4 ,a volley of shots now rang through the woods1 proclaiming to all within hearing that the lost child was found4 ,two of the ,crane boys made a lady chair with their hands1 and ,sarah was persuaded to let herself be carried down to the red house4 ,she began to feel very tired and confused1 and nearly fell from her seat more than once4 ,mrs4 ,cassell and ,mrs4 ,lilly were called out by the shouts1 and met the party in the garden4 ,it was all my fault1 grandma1 called out ,annie as soon as she saw ,mrs4 ,cassell4 ,sarah thinks it was hers1 but it wasn't4 ,and she found me 'way up in the mountain1 and made me a nice little bed4 ,it was even so1 said ,mr4 ,brandon4 ,sarah found her first1 and her care and good sense saved the child's life4 ,bless you1 my dear6 said ,mrs4 ,lilly1 taking ,sarah in her arms and kissing her4 ,but how cold you are6 ,you are shivering all over4 ,you must go right to bed and have some hot soup4 ,oney has it all ready on the stove4 ,i guess ,i had better go home1 said ,sarah1 wearily4 ,i shall make you too much trouble4 ,you don't stir a foot this night1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly1 positively4 ,you must go to bed directly4 ,sarah was in no condition to resist ,mrs4 ,lilly's strenuous kindness1 even if she had wished to do so4 ,a deathly faintness was stealing over her2 and when she was undressed by ,oney and put into bed1 her head sank on the pillow as if it would never rise again4 ,she wanted nothing but to lie still4 ,but ,oney1 whose experienced eye knew the symptoms of dangerous exhaustion1 would not let her sleep till she had taken several spoonfuls of strong hot soup4 ,at last1 all was still4 ,the neighbours who had helped in the search were dismissed with thanks4 ,old ,steeprock camped down on the kitchen floor1 with his dog beside him1 preferring that accommodation to ,willy's bed1 which the boy offered him4 ,annie was already asleep in her grandmother's arms1 and all was quiet about the old red house4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,,repentance4 ,,the next day ,annie did not get up1 but in the course of a week1 she was playing about as lively as ever4 ,but ,sarah still lay on her sick-bed1 and it seemed doubtful whether she would ever rise from it again4 ,the chill she had received on the mountain resulted in an attack of acute rheumatism1 which chained her hand and foot1 and was accompanied by a severe cough4 ,it was well for her that she was at ,mrs4 ,lilly's instead of at home4 ,mrs4 ,lilly put her into the best bedroom down stairs1 and she and ,oney waited on her night and day1 while ,mrs4 ,cassell and ,mrs4 ,brandon made her up a set of nice underclothes1 and nobody thought anything too much to do for the girl who had risked her own life to save little ,annie4 ,sarah's mother came to see her1 and would fain have established herself at the red house altogether1 but she was nothing of a nurse1 and it seemed as if she could not come near ,sarah without hurting her4 ,besides1 as ,oney said1 she needed twice as much waiting on as ,sarah herself4 ,and so ,mrs4 ,lilly1 who was not a woman to be imposed upon1 soon gave her to understand that ,sarah did not need her1 and that she had better go home and take care of her own house and family4 ,mrs4 ,leyman departed1 shaking off the dust from her feet1 and declaring that she would never enter the house again1 whatever happened4 ,they had got ,sarah away from her1 she said1 and now they might take care of her till they were tired of it4 ,they were a set of ,pharisees1 anyhow1 who never would do anything for poor folks except in their own way2 and if ,sarah was going to join them and turn against her1 she 7,mrs4 ,leyman7 would have no more to do with her4 ,for three or four weeks ,sarah lay very sick1 and ,dr4 ,perkins came every day to see her4 ,she was wonderfully patient and grateful for all that was done for her1 and ,mrs4 ,lilly said it was surprising to see the wild girl so tamed4 ,one day1 when ,sarah was able to talk a little1 she called the old lady to her bedside4 ,mrs4 ,lilly1 said she1 do you think ,i shall ever get well8 ,i don't know1 my dear1 answered ,mrs4 ,lilly1 frankly4 ,i hope so1 but nobody can say for certain4 ,did ,willy tell you what ,i told him that day--,i mean about the pie and the gingerbread8 asked ,sarah4 ,yes2 he told me that you got them1 and that you were sorry4 ,did you ever take anything else8 ,no1 replied ,sarah2 only ,i have sometimes picked an apple when ,i was going through the orchard4 ,i got the pie more in fun than for anything else4 ,so ,i supposed1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,did ,fanny know about it8 ,i don't want to say anything about ,fanny1 replied ,sarah4 ,then1 after a pause3 ,mrs4 ,lilly1 did you and ,oney really make fun of me for coming to the meeting that night1 and say you should think ,i would be ashamed to come looking so8 ,of course not1 answered ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,i was very glad to see you there1 as ,i told you at the time4 ,who could have told you such a story8 ,never mind1 said ,sarah4 ,somebody did1 and ,i was just fool enough to believe it4 ,it almost killed me1 ,i can tell you4 ,i made up my mind that night that ,i would try to be good1 and ,i was going to ask you to give me a ,bible or ,testament1 and then ,fanny-- ,sarah stopped short and looked very much vexed4 ,go on1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly1 quietly4 ',and then ,fanny--' ,i didn't mean to tell1 said ,sarah1 but it is out now4 ,well1 ,fanny told me how you made fun of me for coming1 and said you meant to shut me up in the asylum4 ,that almost broke my heart1 for ,i always thought you were so good--like ,aunt ,sally4 ,and when ,i heard that1 it made me feel as if there was nothing real or true in heaven or earth1 and ,i might as well do one thing as another4 ,poor child6 ,i don't wonder4 ,but now tell me1 ,sarah--for it is very important that ,i should know the true story--did ,fanny have anything to do with stealing the pie8 ,well1 ,i suppose ,i may as well1 though ,i never meant to say a word about it1 said ,sarah4 ,and she went on to give the whole history of that unlucky ,sunday afternoon4 ,i felt sorry enough afterward1 she concluded1 and ,i wanted to tell you so1 and to make it up somehow1 but ,fanny seemed afraid to have me say a word1 and ,i thought it would be mean to get her into a scrape after ,i had eaten my share of the pie4 ,i sent you the raspberries1 though1 to make up4 ,and afterward1 when the bull chased us--,i don't know whether you heard about that-- ,yes1 ,willy told me4 ,well1 then ,i wanted to tell you again1 but ,fanny wouldn't consent4 ,she said afterward that you were very angry with me for letting the bull out of his pasture1 but indeed ,i didn't do it4 ,he did not get out of the pasture1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,he was in his stable1 and ,i don't know to this day how he got loose4 ,i always supposed it was some of ,pat's carelessness1 and never thought of blaming you4 ,well1 there is no use in going over it all1 said ,sarah1 wearily4 ,only that night when ,i was up on the mountain with ,annie1 ,i heard her say her little prayers and verses before she went to sleep4 ,and she told me some things in her innocent way that encouraged me1 and ,i made up my mind that if ,i got down alive1 ,i would try to be a ,christian like ,aunt ,sally4 ,and ,i want you to tell me how1 for ,i don't know any more about it than a wild ,indian or a heathen4 ,i am sure ,i will tell you all ,i know1 my dear child1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly1 much affected4 ,the way is very plain and easy1 as the ,scripture says1 ',believe on the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and thou shalt be saved'--believe that he came to save all of us1 and you in particular2 that he died to redeem you1 and that he now lives in heaven to intercede for you4 ,do you mean that he really cares about 'me'--me in particular8 asked ,sarah1 with eyes full of wonder4 ,i mean just that1 ,sarah4 ,you are one of the lost sheep that1 he came to seek and to save4 ,if you will but believe on him1 your sins will be forgiven and washed away1 and ,god will give you the ,holy ,spirit to dwell in your heart and help you to do right4 ,it seems too good to be true1 said ,sarah4 ,is it in the ,bible8 ,read it to me1 please1 will you8 ,mrs4 ,lilly brought her old ,bible and read1 and ,sarah lay and listened till a look of sweet peace and contentment stole over her face4 ,but presently she grew troubled again4 ,i have been so wicked1 said she4 ,i never really knew before how bad ,i have been4 ,it doesn't seem as if he could ever forgive 'me'4 ',though your sins be as scarlet they shall be white as snow1' repeated ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,scarlet is the hardest colour to get out4 ,the paper-makers say so1 and they have to use the red rags to make that reddish blotting-paper that you have seen4 ,when ,god forgives us1 he washes away our sins and makes our souls clean and white again4 ,and so he will do by you1 if you ask him to do it for his dear ,son's sake4 ,i am sure ,i 'am' sorry1 murmured ,sarah4 ,mrs4 ,lilly1 please ask him for me4 ,mrs4 ,lilly prayed with ,sarah1 and ,sarah joined in the prayer with her whole heart4 ,now you have talked enough for once1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly1 after a little silence4 ,another time we will take the subject up again4 ,i want to say one thing more1 said ,sarah1 eagerly--only one thing1 because ,i may not be able to talk another time4 ,please sit down and let me tell you1 and then my mind will be quite easy4 ,mrs4 ,lilly sat down again1 wisely thinking it better to let ,sarah free her mind1 and ,sarah went over her plan for seeing her ,aunt ,caroline and persuading her to take ,ally4 ,was that what you wanted ,fanny to give you the money for8 asked ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,yes1 but ,i never asked her to give it to me4 ,i only wanted to borrow it till ,i could earn something4 ,but won't you write to ,aunt ,caroline yourself1 and tell her the story and ask her to take ,ally and bring her up8 ,she may have her all to herself1 and ,i won't even come near her if ,aunt ,caroline doesn't want me to4 ,ally is real clever and good1 though she isn't pretty1 and ,i am sure ,aunt ,caroline would like her and do well by her4 ,won't you ask her1 please8 ,i will write this very day1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,i think your plan is an excellent one4 ,but now you must rest1 and try to sleep before the doctor comes1 or he will scold us all round for letting you talk so much4 ,mrs4 ,lilly wrote that day1 as she had promised1 and read the letter to ,sarah1 but she added a postscript which she did not think it necessary to show4 ,the result was that ,aunt ,caroline came over to see the state of things for herself4 ,she made acquaintance with the girls and talked matters over with ,mrs4 ,lilly1 and finally she carried ,ally home to live with her1 taking the precaution to have her legally bound till she came of age4 ,mr4 ,leyman demurred at first1 but certain little matters in the line of stealing lumber and iron from the quarries having come to ,squire ,holden's ears1 it was hinted to ,mr4 ,leyman that unless he consented to do what was deemed best for his children1 the place would speedily be made too hot to hold him4 ,mr4 ,leyman sold his place not long afterward1 and he and his wife1 accompanied by ,miss ,clarke1 went off to ,utah1 regretted by nobody in ,hillsborough4 ,and where was ,fanny all this time8 ,fanny was more unhappy and more ashamed than she had ever been before in all her life4 ,she had made up her mind that as ,annie was found1 and1 as she expressed it1 no great harm was done1 after all1 things would go on just as usual4 ,she had come down to the breakfast table next morning prepared to be very amiable1 and even expecting to be something of a heroine for her share in the adventure4 ,she was astounded when ,mrs4 ,lilly ordered her back to her room with an admonition not to leave it again till she had permission1 which1 she added1 would not be very soon4 ,in vain ,fanny cried and protested that she didn't mean to and she couldn't help it4 ,mrs4 ,lilly was deaf to all such excuses4 ,she saw that ,fanny needed a severe lesson1 and she meant that it should not be wanting4 ,for a whole week ,fanny stayed in her room1 with nobody to speak to1 and no other recreation than a very short walk every day with her grandmother or ,oney4 ,when she was at last permitted to come down stairs1 she found that her troubles were by no means at an end4 ,nobody took any notice of her4 ,nobody asked her any questions or listened when she spoke1 her grandmother only saying1-- ,i don't want to hear anything from you1 ,fanny4 ,you have told so many lies that nobody can believe a word you say1 and so ,i prefer that you should say nothing4 ,fanny was not allowed to go out of sight of the door1 and she was made in every way to feel that nobody trusted her4 ,at first she tried to harden herself and think that she did not care1 and then that she was terribly abused1 but all did not answer4 ,she was very miserable1 and began to wish in earnest to be a good girl4 ,the first sign of improvement was seen in her beginning to wait upon ,sarah1 who was now able to sit up and to use her hands a little1 though she could not walk or even bear her weight at all4 ,fanny had begun by keeping entirely out of her way1 and putting on a very injured look whenever ,sarah's name was mentioned before her4 ,but now she began to do little offices for the invalid--to bring her fresh water and set flowers on the table by her side1 at first without speaking a word4 ,one day she rather timidly asked ,sarah if she should read for her4 ,oh yes1 please1 said ,sarah1 eagerly4 ,my eyes are so soon tired1 and it hurts me to hold the book4 ,i will read to you every day if you want me to1 said ,fanny4 ,i love to read aloud4 ,i am sure ,i shall be glad to have you1 said ,sarah4 ,fanny1 are you angry with me now8 ,no1 replied ,fanny1 sadly1 but ,i did not know whether you would care to have me talk to you4 ,nobody does1 nowadays4 ,sarah did not exactly know what to say1 so she bent forward and kissed ,fanny4 ,fanny returned the kiss and burst into tears4 ,don't cry1 said ,sarah1 tenderly4 ,i can't help it1 sobbed ,fanny1 ,i am so very unhappy4 ,but ,i won't bother you with my crying4 ,i have made trouble enough already4 ,fanny1 said ,sarah1 detaining her as ,fanny was about to go away1 why don't you tell ,grandma ,lilly all about it1 and ask her to forgive you8 ,i am sure she would if you asked her4 ,she did me4 ,you were not half so bad as ,i have been1 said ,fanny4 ,oh1 ,sarah1 ,i was so mean to you4 ,i told you grandma made fun of you1 and it wasn't true4 ,and all the time ,i used to play with you1 ,i felt so above you4 ,i know you did1 answered ,sarah4 ,i never could understand why2 though1 of course1 your folks were rich and respectable1 and all that1 but that was no merit of yours4 ,but never mind now4 ,come1 ,fanny1 tell grandma all about it4 ,i am sure you will feel better1 and that she will forgive you1 and it will be all right again4 ,fanny shook her head sadly4 ,i don't feel as if it would ever be right again1 said she4 ,don't you want a hot brick for your feet8 ,yes1 please4 ,they are cold nearly all the time4 ,the next day ,oney was going over to ,r--1 and ,fanny timidly asked if she might send for some worsted4 ,yes1 if you choose1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,why do you want it8 ,i want to crochet some thick1 warm slippers for ,sarah4 ,she says her feet are cold all the time4 ,very well1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly1 evidently pleased4 ,tell ,oney what you want1 and she will buy it for you4 ,i would rather buy it with my own money1 please1 said ,fanny4 ,oh1 very well4 ,if you want to make ,sarah a pretty present1 ,i have no objection1 my dear4 ,it was the first time ,mrs4 ,lilly had said my dear since that unlucky day1 and the words brought the tears into ,fanny's eyes4 ,she had begun to feel the value of that kindness and affection which she had always accepted as her just due4 ,i am sure ,i should like to do something for somebody1 said she4 ,you can do a great deal for everybody1 ,fanny1 but then you must begin in the right way4 ,oney bought the worsted1 and ,fanny began the slippers4 ,she was rather apt to grow tired of work and throw it aside when it was half done1 but she persevered with the slippers1 and ,sarah was delighted with them4 ,i never saw anything so pretty1 and how soft and warm they are6 said she4 ,if ,i had some wool1 ,i would try making a pair for ,grandma ,lilly4 ,i know how to crochet a little4 ,now1 ,fanny had decided in her own mind to use the rest of the wool for a pair of slippers for herself4 ,but as ,sarah said this1 a thought came into her mind1 and she acted on it immediately4 ,you may have this wool if you want it1 ,sarah2 then the present will be partly yours and partly mine4 ,oh1 thank you1 said ,sarah4 ,but suppose you make one and ,i the other8 ,well1 just as you like1 answered ,fanny4 ,and this was almost the first time in her life that she had ever sacrificed her own pleasure or convenience to another person4 ,fanny1 said ,sarah as she laid down her work to rest her hands--,fanny1 have you made it right with ,grandma ,lilly yet8 ,no1 returned ,fanny1 sighing4 ,i don't see that things are any nearer to coming round than ever4 ,things don't 'come' round1 ,fanny4 ,you have got to cut them round or roll them round1 or something4 ,maybe so4 ,but1 you see1 the trouble is1 ,i don't know how to begin4 ,grandma don't believe a word ,i say1 and no wonder1 said ,fanny1 sighing4 ,i have been such a liar all my life4 ,i don't know how to believe myself when ,i say ,i am sorry4 ,i hate myself1 and ,i wish ,i was somebody else4 ,however1 ,i believe ,i will tell her4 ,things can't be much worse than they are4 ,do1 said ,sarah4 ,tell her to-night when you are going to the schoolhouse3 for it was ,thursday night1 and some sort of religious service was always held in the schoolhouse on that evening4 ,fanny was as good as her word4 ,that night1 coming home from the ,corners1 she confessed everything without reserve1 telling her grandmother of many acts of disobedience which she had never suspected4 ,i don't know whether you will believe me or not1 grandma1 she concluded1 but indeed ,i am telling the truth now4 ,i believe you1 ,fanny1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,i shouldn't blame you if you didn't1 continued ,fanny1 ,i have told so many lies4 ,grandma1 she added1 in a low1 frightened voice1 ,i told lies to ,god when ,i said my prayers4 ,i said ,i was sorry when ,i wasn't1 and when ,i meant all the time to do the very same things again4 ,do you think he will ever forgive me8 ,certainly1 my child4 ,he will not only forgive you1 but will help you to do better another time4 ,now1 ,fanny1 can you tell me what has been the root of all your troubles8--,what has made you disobey me so many times8 ,i wanted my own way1 said ,fanny1 after a little consideration4 ,exactly2 and when you had done so very wrong that ,sunday1 and ,sarah wanted to come and confess1 as ,i know she did1 why did you hinder her8 ,why did you take so much pains to prevent her from going to the meetings and from coming to talk to me1 as she intended doing8 ,i thought you would find out all about me and punish me4 ,i wanted you to think ,i was a good girl when ,i wasn't4 ,then1 my dear1 it has been your love of self which has been at the bottom of all the mischief4 ,don't you see that it is so8 ,i know it1 said ,fanny1 promptly4 ,it has always been just so4 ,i never could bear to give up to anybody or do anything for anybody unless it was something that ,i liked myself1 and yet ,i thought people ought always to give up to me4 ,and everybody did give up to me at home1 till ,arthur came4 ,mamma used to say it made children deceitful to be contradicted4 ,do you think that excuses you now1 ,fanny8 asked ,mrs4 ,lilly1 thinking1 however1 that the tree had borne such fruit as might have been expected4 ,no1 grandma1 but you don't know how hard it is for me to give up the least little thing that ,i want4 ,it seems as if ,i couldn't4 ,that day on the mountain1 ,sarah didn't want to leave ,annie alone4 ,after we started to go away1 she wanted to come back1 and ,i wouldn't let her1 because ,i wanted to know what she had to say4 ,and1 after all1 ,i would not lend her the money4 ,there was nothing wrong in that1 observed ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,it would not have been proper for you to lend such a large sum without asking me4 ,sarah herself sees that now4 ,fanny shook her head4 ,that was not the reason1 said she4 ,i was ready enough to spend the money in other ways--to buy candy and 'dime novels1' such as ,i knew you wouldn't want me to have4 ,and then ,i told so many lies about ,annie4 ,she might have been found directly and ,sarah might have been well this minute4 ,do you think ,sarah will ever be well again8 ,i don't know1 my dear4 ,her state is very discouraging4 ,i do not see that she gains the use of her feet in the least4 ,but1 ,fanny1 how is it to be with you hereafter8 ,do you mean to go on in the same way1 living for self and nothing else8 ,not if ,i can help it1 grandma4 ,i have tried not to be selfish lately1 and ,i have asked ,god to help me1 too1 but it is hard work4 ,yes1 ,i dare say--much harder than if you had been trained to give up for others when you were young4 ,i don't want you to blame mamma1 grandma1 said ,fanny1 flushing a little4 ,it wasn't her fault at all4 ,i am sure she meant to do just right4 ,we won't blame anybody1 dear1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly1 not displeased by this little outbreak4 ,we will only try to do better in future4 ,i will give you a verse1 ,fanny1 which ,i think may help you3 ',whosoever will come after me1 let him deny himself1 and take up his cross1 and follow me4' ,do you know who said that8 ,the ,lord ,jesus4 ,yes1 and he says again3 ',whosoever doth not bear his cross1 and come after me1 cannot be my disciple4' ,you must try as much as you can to deny 'yourself'--to put yourself out of the question and live for other people4 ,you must think about yourself as little as possible1 and never lose a chance of putting yourself aside when you can do good or even give pleasure by it4 ,it doesn't seem as though it was in me to do that1 said ,fanny1 shaking her head4 ,grandma1 ,i should just like to be made new1 to be made over altogether4 ,well1 dear1 that is just what your heavenly ,father is ready to do for you--to 'create a clean heart and renew a right spirit' within you1 as the ,psalm says4 ,if you ask him1 he will so change your heart and disposition that you will love to do his will4 ,you will love him1 and because you love him1 you will want to be like him and to make your whole life one sacrifice to him4 ,i do not say that you will not do wrong a great many times1 but whenever you do1 you will be sorry and not rest till ,god has forgiven you4 ,if you persevere in this course1 you will grow more and more like him every day4 ,your life will be a blessing to all around you and the beginning of eternal happiness to yourself4 ,all the rest of the summer ,sarah sat helpless in her arm-chair1 unable to stand for a moment4 ,one bright day in ,september1 ,mrs4 ,cassell came up to see ,mrs4 ,lilly and consult her about a plan for the sick girl's benefit4 ,mrs4 ,cassell had a friend at the head of a great institution where some wonderful cures had been performed on rheumatic patients4 ,doctor ,henry was to be at ,mrs4 ,cassell's house on a certain day1 and ,mrs4 ,cassell proposed to bring him up to examine ,sarah and see if anything could be done for her4 ,mrs4 ,lilly consented1 but thought ,sarah had better not know anything about the matter1 and to this ,mrs4 ,cassell agreed4 ,mrs4 ,lilly herself was not at all hopeful about ,sarah1 and she did not think it best to excite the child's own hopes of recovery4 ,doctor ,henry came at the appointed day1 and examined ,sarah very carefully before pronouncing an opinion4 ,he thought she might be cured1 but she would need a long course of treatment and great care4 ,i should like to take her home with me and see what can be done1 said the doctor4 ,has she any friends8 ,plenty1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,if you will undertake the case1 ,i will pay her expenses4 ,my children do not need my help1 and ,i have more money than ,i know what to do with4 ,with your permission1 ,mrs4 ,lilly1 that is our part of the business1 said ,mrs4 ,cassell1 smiling4 ,my son-in-law has written to me to spare no expense4 ,well1 we won't quarrel about it1 said ,mrs4 ,lilly4 ,when would you like to have her go1 doctor8 ,i shall be here again in two weeks1 and will take her home with me1 answered the doctor4 ,and so it was settled4 ,sarah was to return with the doctor1 and ,oney was to go with her and see her settled4 ,sarah did not know whether to be pleased or sorry4 ,she had been happier since her illness than ever before in her life1 and she dreaded to leave ,mrs4 ,lilly and ,fanny1 whom she loved more than ever4 ,but then she was very anxious to get well and be able to earn her own living as well as to do something for ,ally1 now happily domesticated with ,aunt ,caroline4 ,i can't make up my mind whether ,i like it or not1 she said1 in answer to ,oney's question4 ,i am glad it has been all settled for me2 for if ,i had to choose1 ,i should not know what to say4 ,well1 it is all settled1 you see1 so you needn't say anything at all1 remarked ,oney4 ,fanny1 if you sew so steadily all day1 you will have a headache again4 ,run out to the barn and hunt up some fresh eggs1 that is a good girl4 ,how she has worked making my things6 remarked ,sarah1 after ,fanny had left the room4 ,she used to say that she hated sewing4 ,it seems a shame that every one should be working so hard for me1 and ,i can't do anything4 ,it has been a very good thing for ,fanny1 though1 said ,oney1 and has given me more hopes of her than anything else4 ,i believe she will turn out a good girl yet1 and that is more than ,i would have said of her six months ago--or of you1 either1 for that matter1 added ,oney to herself4 ,sarah went away to ,the ,cure1 and1 contrary to her expectation1 she found herself very happy there4 ,every one was kind to her1 and after she once began to amend1 her health improved rapidly4 ,a lady who was staying in the house undertook to teach her in the things she so much wanted to know4 ,and very happy was ,sarah when she succeeded in writing a letter to ,fanny without one misspelled word4 ,but ,sarah found something else beside her health at the ,spring4 ,she found her business and place in life4 ,as she grew better and able to go about the house1 she showed a remarkable aptitude for nursing and waiting on the sick4 ,doctor ,henry1 who saw most things that went on around him1 one day called ,sarah into his office4 ,you are almost well now1 said he1 after he had asked her several questions about her health4 ,what are you going to do with yourself8 ,i must go to work at something1 answered ,sarah4 ,there is no use in my living on ,grandma ,lilly any more4 ,i don't know enough to teach1 so ,i suppose ,i must go out to work4 ,the world is running over with teachers1 remarked the doctor1 and there are plenty of other things to be done4 ,and then he proceeded to open his plan1 which was that ,sarah should be regularly educated for a nurse4 ,you seem to have a natural talent for that sort of thing1 and it is a pity it should be wasted4 ,i have been surprised to see how handily you adapt yourself to the work4 ,have you ever had any experience8 ,only what ,i have gained in waiting on ,ally1 said ,sarah4 ,however you learned it1 you certainly have it1 said the doctor4 ,a skilful nurse is sure to have plenty of practice1 and that of a profitable kind1 and there is no place in which a good woman can make herself more useful4 ,to be sure1 it is hard work4 ,everything worth doing is hard work sometimes1 remarked ,sarah1 but ,i think doing nothing is the hardest work of all4 ,very true1 said ,doctor ,henry4 ,well1 take time to think and pray over it1 and write to your friends4 ,if you decide to undertake the profession1 ,i will find a place in the house for you1 and will see that you have all needful instruction4 ,sarah did think and pray over the matter1 and finally concluded to accept the doctor's offer4 ,well1 ,i must say ,i did wonder at your choice of a profession when ,i heard of it1 said ,fanny1 on one of their meetings at the red house1 which ,sarah still called home1 and whither she always came to spend her vacations4 ,i think ,i should rather do almost anything else4 ,and you know1 ,sarah1 grandma and ,mrs4 ,cassell both offered to educate you for a teacher4 ,how did it happen that you decided to take up nursing for a business8 ,i can't pretend to tell you all about it1 replied ,sarah1 only when ,i began to go about1 ,i wanted something to do1 and ,i began to wait on a sick lady whose room was next mine4 ,so one thing led to another1 and ,i seemed just to have found my place4 ,i did not so much choose it as it chose me4 ,besides1 ,i like to be a person of consequence1 she added1 smiling4 ,teachers go begging nowadays1 but people come begging for nurses4 ,there are twice too many of the one and not half enough of the other4 ,so it seems4 ,i wonder how many letters you have had since you came here8 ,grandma says you work a great deal too hard4 ,i don't mean to work so hard another year1 said ,sarah4 ,i am going to rest and study and have a nice time with ,ally1 and in order to do that1 ,i must lay up some money4 ,and now1 ,fanny1 what do you mean to be8 ,to be ,fanny1 ,i guess1 returned ,fanny1 smiling4 ,i shall never be anything great or grand in the world4 ,i shall just go on filling up the chinks and rounding the corners1 threading needles for other folks to sew with1 and carrying bricks for other people's houses4 ,i used to think that ,i should like to go into a convent or a sisterhood1 but ,i can tell you ,i find there are plenty of ways to be useful in every-day life1 and that one can be just as self-denying and work just as hard in a gypsy hat as in a cambric cap or a black serge veil4 ,annie has found her vocation1 too1 with all those little brothers and sisters of hers1 said ,sarah4 ,you don't know what a grave1 motherly little thing she is1 though her face isn't a day older than when she was lost on the mountain4