Atmidnightyoumighthaveseenaquaintlydespondentlittlefigure，whosecurlyheadissuedfromahoodedcloak，staggeringhopelesslyfromahammock，andseatingherselfonamossystump。Fromthelimpnessofherattitudeandthepatheticexpressionofhereyes，I
　　fearPollywasreviewingformerhappynightsspentonspring-beds；
　　andatthisparticularmomenttherealitiesofcamping-outhardlyequalledheranticipations。Whatevermayhavebeenherfeelings，however，theywerepromptlystifledwhenacertaininsolentheadreareditselffromitsblanket-roll，andahoarsevoicecackled，'PrettyPolly!Pollywantacanyon?'AtthisinsultMissOliverwrappedherdraperyaboutherandstrodetoherhammockwiththeairofatragedyqueen。
　　CHAPTERIII:LIFEINTHECANYON——THEHEIRAPPARENTLOSESHIMSELF
　　'Know'stthouthelandwherethelemon-treesbloom，Wherethegoldorangeglowsinthegreenthicket'sgloom；
　　Wherethewind，eversoft，fromtheblueheavenblows，Andgrovesareofmyrtle，andolive，androse?'
　　Onthenextmorning，aswehaveseen，theynamedtheirsummerhomeCampChaparral，andforaweekormoretheyweretheverybusiestcolonyofpeopleunderthesun；forittakesadealofhardworkandingenuitytomakeacomfortableandbeautifuldwelling-placeintheforest。
　　Thebestwayofshowingyouhowtheyaccomplishedthisistodescribethecampafteritwasnearlyfinished。
　　Thetwolargestbedroomtentsweremadeofbrightawningcloth，oneofredandwhite，theotherofblueandwhite，bothgailydecoratedwithbraid。Theywerepitchedunderthesamegiantoak，andyetwerenearlyfortyfeetapart；thatofthegirlshavingacanvasfloor。
　　Theywerenotquitewillingtosleepontheground，sotheyhadbroughtemptybed-sackswiththem，andPancho'sfirstdutyafterhisarrivalhadbeentodrivetoaneighbouringranchforagreatloadofstraw。
　　Inaglorioustreenearbywasa'skyparlour，'arrangedbyafewboardsnailedhighupintheleafybranches，andreachedfrombelowbyaprimitiveladder。Thiswasthefavouritesitting-roomofthegirlsbyday，andservedforPancho'sbedroomatnight。Itwasbeautifulenoughtobefitshelterforallthewoodlandnymphs，withitsfestoonsofmistletoeandwildgrape-vines；butPanchowasratheranunappreciativetenant，evengoingsofarastosnoreinthesacredplace!
　　Justbeyondwasacard-room，——imagineit——inwhichasquareboard，nailedonalowstump，servedforatable，whereDr。Paulandtheboysplayedmanyagameofcrib，backgammon，andcheckers。Here，too，allElsie'sletterswerewrittenandBell'snonsenseverses，andherewastheidenticalspotwhereJackHoward，thatmischievousknightofthebrush，perpetratedthosemoderntravestiesonthe'WilliamHenrypictures，'forElsie'sdelectation。
　　Thedressing-roomwasreachedbyapathcutthroughbushestoacharminglittlepool。Herewereunmistakableevidencesoffeminineart:looking-glasseshangingtotrees，snowywash-cloths，eachbearingitsowner'sinitials，adorningtheshrubs，whilenumeroustowelswavedinthebreeze。Betweentwotreesathinboardwasnailed，whichappearedtobeused，asnearlyasthewoodpeckerscouldmakeout，asatoothbrushrack。Inthis，Philip，theskilfulcarpenter，hadboredthenecessarynumberofholes，andeachonecontainedatoothbrushtiedwithagorgeousribbon。
　　InthissecludedspotBellwaswonttomarshaleverymorningtheentireforceof'thetoothbrushbrigade'；and，conductingthedrillwithmuchingenuity，shewouldtakehervictimsthroughalongseriesofmilitarymanoeuvresarrangedforthetoothbrush。Oh，thegaspings，thechokingsandstranglings，whichoccurredwhenshemountedarockbytheedgeofthepool，andaftercallingintonesofthunder，'Brush，brothers，brushwithcare!
　　Brushinthepresenceofthecommandaire!'
　　orderedherunwillingprivatestopolishtheirinnocentmolarstothetuneof'Hail，Columbia，'or'AuldLangSyne'!Andiftheybecamemutinous，itwasGeoffreywhoreducedthemtosubmission，andorderedthemtobrushforthreemorningstothetuneof'BluebellsofScotland'asasignofloyaltytotheircommander。
　　Asforthefurnishingofthecamp，therewereimpromptustoolsandtablesmadeofpacking-boxesandtrunks，allcoveredwithbrightTurkey-redcotton；therewerenolessthanthreerusticloungesandtwoarm-chairsmadefrommanzanitabranches，andaQueenAnnebedsteadwasbeingslowlyconstructed，daybyday，bytheambitiousboysfortheirbelovedElsie。
　　Onecornerofeachtentwascurtainedoffforabath-room，anotherforaclothes-press，andtherewereadozendevicesforcomfort，asDr。Winshipwasopposedtoanymoreinconveniencethanwasstrictlynecessary。Dr。andMrs。WinshipandlittleDickyoccupiedonetent，theboysanother，andthegirlsathird。
　　WhenBell，Polly，andMargeryemergedfromtheirtentonthesecondmorning，theyweredisagreeablysurprisedtoseealargeplacardoverthefrontentrance，bearingtheinsolentinscription，'TentChatter。'
　　Theysaidnothing；butonthenightafter，acommitteeoftwostoleoutandgluedacompanionplacard，'TentClatter，'overthedooroftheirmasculineneighbours。Andtotellthetruth，onewasaswelldeservedastheother；foriftherewasgenerallyasubduedhumofconversationintheone，thereneverfailedtobeaperfectdinanduproarintheother。
　　Underagreatsycamore-treestoodthedining-table，whichconsistedoftwolong，wideboardsplacedtogetheruponacoupleofbarrels；
　　andnotfarawaywasthebrushkitchen，whichshouldhavebeenaworkofart，foritrepresentedthecombinedgeniusofAmerican，Mexican，andChinesecarpenters，Dr。Winship，Pancho，andHopYethavinglabouredinitserection。Itreallyansweredthepurposeadmirably，andlookedquitelikeaconventionalCaliforniakitchen；thatis，itwastenfeetsquare，andcontainedatable，astove，andaChinaman。
　　Theyoungpeople，bytheway，hadfoughtbitterlyagainstthestove，protestingwithalltheirmightagainsttakingit。PollyandJackdeclaredthattheywouldstarvesoonerthaneatanythingthathadn'tbeencookedoveracamp-fire。BellandPhilipsaidthattheyshouldstandinfrontofitallthetime，forfearsomebodywouldridethroughthecanyonandcatchthemcampingoutwithastove。Imaginesuchasituation；itmadethemblush。Margerysaidshewishedpeopleweren'tquitesopractical，andwouldn'truinnaturebyintroducingsuchuglyandunnecessarythings。SheintendedtopointthemoralbydrawingapictureofAdamandEveinthegardenofEden，——Evebendingoveracook-stoveandAdampeelingappleswithamachine。GeoffreyscoffedatMargery'ssentimentalism，putonhismosttryingair，anddeclaredthatifhehadhisporkandonionsservedup'hotandreg'lar，'hedidn'tcarehowshehadhervictualscooked。
　　Theywereallsomewhatappeased，however，whentheyfoundthatDr。
　　Winshipwasasanxiousastheyforaneveningcamp-fire，andmerelyinsisteduponthestovebecauseitsimplifiedthecookery。
　　Furthermore，beinganeminentlyjustman，heyieldedsofarastogivethempermissiontopreparetheirownmealsonaprivatecamp-
　　firewhenevertheydesired；andthiseffectuallystoppedtheargument，fornoonewaswillingtopaysoheavyapriceforeffect。
　　Thehammocks，madeofgaily-colouredcords，wereslunginvariousdirectionsashortdistancefromthesquaretent，which，beingthefamilysitting-room，wasthecentreofattraction。Itwasarrangedwithagaycanopy，twentyfeetsquare。Threesidesweremadebyhangingfullcurtainsofawningclothfromredwoodrodsbymeansofhugebrassrings。Thesecurtainswereloopedbackduringthedayanddroppedafterdark，makingacosyandwarminteriorfromwhichtowatchthecamp-fireoncoolevenings。
　　AsfortheCanyondeLasFloresitself，thislittlevalleyoftheflowers，itwasbeautifulenoughineveryparttoinspireanartist'spencilorapoet'spen；soquietandromanticitwas，too，itmightalmosthavebeenunderaspell，——thehomeofsomesleepy，enchantedprincesswaitingthemagickissofaprincelylover。Itreachedfromtheoceantothemountains，andheldathousanddifferentpicturesonwhichtofeasttheeye；forDameNaturedealsoutbeautywithalavishhandinthislandofperpetualsummer，song，andsunshine。
　　Thereweremanynobleoak-trees，somehungprofuselywithmistletoe，andotherswiththelong，Spanishgreybeardmoss，thatdroopsfromthebranchesinsilverylines，likewaterspray。Sometimes，inthemoonlight，itwindsabouttheoaklikeashroud，andthenagainlikeafilmybridalveil，ordrippingsofmistfromafrozentree。
　　Hereandtherewereopentractsofgroundbetweentheclumpsoftrees，likethatinwhichthetentswerepitched，——sunnyplaces，wheretheearthwaswarmanddry，andthelizardsblinkedsleepilyunderthestones。
　　Fartherupthecanyonweresuperbbay-trees，withtheirglossyleavesandaromaticodour，andthemadrono，which，withitsblood-redskin，isoneofthemostbeautifulofCaliforniatrees，havinganopengrowth，likeamaple，brightgreenlustrousleaves，andabrilliantredbark，whichpeelsoffatregularseasons，givingplacetoanewoneofdelicatepea-green。
　　Therewerenobircheswithpurewhiteskin，orgracefulelms，orfluffypussywillows，butsomanybeautifulforeignthingsthatitwouldseemungratefultomournthoseleftbehindinthedearNewEnglandwoods；andasforflowers，therearenoyellowandpurpleviolets，fragileanemones，orblushingMayflowers，butinMarchthehillsidesarecoveredwithred，inAprilflushedwithpinkandblue，inMaybrilliantwithyellowblossoms；andinthecanyons，wheretheearthismoist，thereareflowersalltheyear。
　　AndthenthegirlswouldneverforgivemeifIshouldforgetthesuperbyucca，orSpanishbayonet，whichisasbeautifulasatropicalqueen。Itstall，slenderstalkhasnotwigsorbranches，butitsleaveshangdownfromthetoplikebayonet-blades；andoh，thererisesfromthecentreofthemsuchastatelyprincessofaflower，likeatreeinitself，ladenwithcream-white，velvety，fragrantblossoms。
　　Theboysoftenclimbedthehillsidesandbroughthomethesesplendidtreasures，whichwereplacedinpailsofwateratthetentdoors，toshedtheirluxuriantbeautyandsweetnessintheairfordaystogether。TheybroughthomequantitiesofSpanishmoss，andwildclematis，andmanzanitaberriestoo，withwhichtodecoratethebelovedcamp；andevenDickytrottedbackwithhisarmsfullofgorgeousblossomsandgrasses，whichhearrangedwithgreattasteandskillinmugs，bottles，andcansonthedining-table。
　　Can'tyouseewhatacharmingplaceitwas?AndIhavenotbeguntotellyouthehalfyet；fortherewasalwaysasoftwindstirringtheleavesindreamymusic，andaboveandthroughthiswhisperedsoundyouheardthebrooksplashingoveritspebblybed，——splashingandsplashingandlaughingallitpossiblycould，knowingitwouldspeedilybedriedupbythethirstyAugustsun。Everyfewyardspartofthestreamsettleddowncontentedlyintoaplacidlittlepool，whilethemostinquisitiveandrestlesslittledropsflowednoisilydowntoseewhatwasgoingonbelow。Thebankswerefringedwithgracefulaldersandpoison-oakbushes，vividincrimsonandyellowleaves，whiledelicatemaiden-hairfernsgrewinminiatureforestsbetweenthecrevicesoftherocks；yet，withthepracticalityofChinesehumannature，HopYetusedallthisbeautyforadish-panandrefrigerator!
　　Now，confessthat，afterhavingseenexactlyhowitlooks，youwouldliketorubamagiclamp，likeAladdin，andwishyourselftherewithourmerryyoungsextette。ForCaliforniaisalovelylandandastrangeone，evenatthislateday，whenhercharacterhasbeennearlyruinedbydreadfulstories，ormaderidiculousbyfoolishones。
　　Whenyouwereallbabiesinlongclothes，somepeopleusedtobelievethattherewerenuggetsofgoldtobepickedupinthestreets，andthatinthefloweryvalleys，flowingwithmilkandhoney，theregrewgrovesofbeet-trees，andforestsofcabbages，andshadybowersofsquash-vines；andtheythoughtthatthroughthesefertilevalleysstrodemenofcuriousmien，wildbanditsandhighwayrobbers，withredflannelshirtsandmanypocketsfilledwithplaying-cardsandrevolversandbowie-knives；andthatwhenyoumetthesefrightfulpersonsandcourteouslyaskedthetimeofday，theywereapttoturnandstabyoutotheheartbywayofresponse。
　　Now，someofthesethingsweretrue，andsomewerenot，andsomewillneverhappenagain；forthetownsandcitiesnolongerconductthemselveslikeheadstrongyoungtomboysoutonalark，buthavegrownintoancientanddecoroussettlementssometwenty-fiveorthirtyyearsold。
　　PerhapsCaliforniaisn'treallysointerestingsinceshebegantolearnmanners；butsheisalandofwondersstill，withhersublimemountainsandvalleys；herpreciousmetals；hervineyardsandorchardsoflemonsandoranges，figs，limes，andnuts；hermammothvegetables，eachbigenoughforanewspaperstory；hercelebratedtrees，onthestumpsofwhichdancing-partiesaregiven；hervultures；hergrizzlybears；andherpeople，drawnfromeverynookandcornerofthemap——pink，yellow，blue，red，andgreencountries。
　　AndthoughthestoryofCaliforniaisnotwritten，inallitsromanticdetails，intheschool-booksofto-day，itisapartofthepoetryofourlateAmericanhistory，fullofstrangeandthrillingscenes，glowingwithinterestanddramaticfire。
　　Iknowalittlegirlwhocrossedtheplainsinthatgreatungeneraledarmyoffifteenortwentythousandpeoplethatmadethelongandwearyjourneytothelandofgoldin1849。Shetellsherchildrennowofthestrange，longdaysandmonthsintheox-team，passingthroughtheheatanddustofalkalideserts，fordingrivers，andtoilingoversteepmountains。Shetellsthemhowatnightsheoftenusedtolieawake，curledupinhergreyblanket，andhearthementalkingtogetherofthegoldtreasurestheyweretodigfromtheground——treasures，itseemedtoherchildishmind，morepreciousthanthoseofwhichshereadinTheArabianNights。Andfromalittleholeinthecanvascoveroftheoldemigrantwagonsheusedtoseethetiredfathersandbrothers，wornandfootsorefromtheirhardday'stramp，somesleepingrestlessly，andothersguardingthecattleorwatchingforIndians，whowerealwaysexpected，andoftencame；
　　andthelastthingatnight，whenhereyeswereheavywithsleep，shepeereddreamilyoutintothedarknesstoseethehundredsofgleamingcamp-fires，whichdottedtheplainasfarastheeyecouldreach。
　　Youwillhavenoticedthatthisfirstweekofcamp-lifewasaquietone，spentmostlybytheyoungpeopleingettingtheiropen-airhomecomfortablyarranged，makingconveniencesofallkinds，becomingacquaintedwiththecanyonsofarastheycould，andridingonceortwicetoneighbouringranchesforhayorprovisions。
　　Dr。Winshipbelievedinagoodbeginning；and，asthiswasnotaweek'sholiday，butasummercampaign，hewantedhisyoungpeopletogetfullyusedtothesituationbeforeundertakinganyoftheexcitingexcursionsinprospect。So，beforetheweekwasover，theybegantoenjoysound，dreamlesssleepontheirhardstrawbeds，toeattheplainfarewithdecidedrelish，togrowalittlehardyandbrown，andquitestrongandtoughenoughforalongtramporhorsebackride。
　　Afterareligiousdevotiontocoldcreamforafewnights，Pollyhadsignifiedherterribleintentionof'lettinghernosego。''Idisownit!'shecried，peepinginhertinymirror，andlightinguphertoorosytintswithatallowcandle。'Hideousobjick，Idefythee!Spotandspeckle，yea，burntoacrisp，andshedthyskinafterwards!I
　　carenot。Indeed，Ishallbewellridofthee，thou——h'm——thou——
　　well，leopard，forinstance。'
　　Onebeautifuldayfollowedanother，eachtheexactcounterpartoftheonethathadprecededit；forCaliforniaboysandgirlsneverhavetosay'windandweatherpermitting'fromMarchorApriluntilNovember。
　　Theyalwaysknowwhattheweatherisgoingtodo；andwhetherthisisanadvantageornotisadifficultmattertosettleconclusively。
　　NewEnglandboysaffirmthattheywouldn'tliveinacountrywhereitcouldn'trainanydayitfeltlikeit，andCalifornialadsretortthattheyaregladtheirdispositionsarenotruinedbythefreaksofNewEnglandweather。Atallevents，itisaparadiseforwould-becampers，andanyonewhoshouldassertthecontrarywouldmeetwithenergeticoppositionfromtheloyaldwellersinCampChaparral。
　　Bellreturnedonedayfromawalkwhichshehadtakenbyherself，whiletheothergirlswereoffonsomeerrandwiththeDoctor。Afterluncheonshedrewthemmysteriouslyintothesquaretent，andloweredthecurtains。
　　'Whatisit?'Pollywhispered，withananxiousexpressionofcountenance。'Haveyoulostyourgoldthimbleagain，oryourtemper，orhaveyoudiscoveredasilvermine?'
　　'Ihavefound，'sheansweredmysteriously，'themostbeautifullysecretplaceyoueverbeheld。Itwillbejustthespotforustowriteandstudyinwhenwewanttobealone；oritwillevendoforatheatre；anditisscarcelymorethanhalfamileupthecanyon。'
　　'Howdidyoufindit?'askedMargery。
　　'AsIwaswalkingalongbythebrookside，Isawasnakemakingitswaythroughthebushes，and——'
　　'Goodness!'shriekedPolly，'Ishallnotwritethere，thankyou。'
　　'Goose!Justwaitaminute。Ilookedatit，andfollowedatadistance；itwasaharmlesslittlething；andIthought，forthefunofit，IwouldjustpushblindlyonandseewhatIshouldfind，becauseweareforeverwalkinginthebeatenpath，andIlongforsomethingnew。'
　　'Abadinstinct，'remarkedMadge，'andonewhichwillgetyouintotrouble，soyoushouldcrushitinitsinfancy。'
　　'Well，Itookupmydressandploughedthroughthechaparral，untilI
　　came，inaboutthreeminutesofscratchingandfighting，toanopencircularplaceaboutaslargeasthistent。Itwasexactlyround，whichisthecuriouspartofit；andinthecentrewasonestump，coveredwithmossandsurroundedbygreatwhitetoadstools。HowanyonehappenedtogointhereandcutdownasingletreeIcan'tunderstand，noryethowtheymanagedtobringoutthetreethroughthetangledbrush。Itissostrangethatitseemsasiftheremustbeamysteryaboutit。'
　　'Certainly，'saidMargerypromptly。'Atragedyofthedarkestkind!
　　Somecruelwretchhascutdown，intheprideandpompofitbeauty，onesycamore-tree；itsinnocentlife-bloodhasstainedtheground，andgivenbirthtothewhitetoadstoolswhichmarkthespotandtestifytothepurityofthevictim。'
　　'Well，'continuedBell，impressively，'IknewIcouldneverfinditagain；andIwantedsomuchyoushouldseeitthatItooktheballoftwinewealwayscarry，unrolledit，anddroppedthethreadallthewayalongtothebrookside，likePhrygia，orMelpomene，orAnemone，orwhateverhernamewas。'
　　'OrArtesia，orPolynesia，orEuthanasia，'interruptedPolly。'I
　　thinktheladyyoumeanisAriadne。'
　　'Exactly。Nowwe'lltakepapatoseeit，andthenwe'llfititupasaretreat。Won'titbecharming?We'llcallittheLoneStump。'
　　'Oh，Ilikethat；itmakesmeshiver!'criedPolly。'I'mgoingtowriteanodetoitatonce。Ahem!Itshallbegin——letmesee-
　　'Olonelytree，Whatcruel"he"
　　Didlaytheelow?
　　Tellusthefacts；
　　DidcruelaxeAbusetheeso?'
　　'Sublime!Secondverse，'saidBellslowly，withpausesbetweenthelines:-
　　'Ordidagopher，Thewickedloafer，Gnawatthybase，And，doingso，Contrivetogo，Andleavenotrace?'
　　'Ohdear!'sighedMargery；'ifyouwilldoit，waitaminute。
　　'Otoadstoolswhite，PraygiveuslightUponthequestion。
　　Didgophergnaw，AndliveinaweOfindigestion?'
　　'Good!'continuedBell:-
　　'OrdidamanMaliciousplanThegoodtree'sruin，AndleaveitsoConvenientlow，AseatforBruin?
　　Fortravellinggrizzlies，youknow。Wemaygothereandseeahungrycreaturemakingastump-speech，whileanadmiringaudienceofgrasshoppersandtarantulasseatthemselvesinacircleonthetoadstools。'
　　'Charmingprospect!'saidMadge。'Idon'tthinkIcaretovisittheLoneStumporpassmymorningsthere。'
　　'Nonsense，dearchild；itisjustlikeeveryotherpartofthecanyon，onlyalittlemorelonely。Itisnothalfamilefromcamp，andhardlyadozenstepsfromtheplacewheretheboysgosooftentoshootquail。'
　　'Verywell，'saidthegirls。'Wemustgothereto-morrowmorning；
　　andperhapswe'dbetternottelltheboys，——theyaresopeculiar。
　　Jackwillcertainlyinterferewithusinsomeway，ifhehearsaboutit。'
　　'Nowletustakeourbooksandrundownbythepoolforanhourortwo，'saidBell。'Papaandtheboysarealloffshooting，andmammaislyingdown。Wecanhaveacool，quiettime；thesunshineissohotherebythetents。'
　　Accordingly，theydeparted，astheyoftendid，foroneoftheprolongedchatsinwhichschool-girlsarewonttoindulge，andwhichsooften，too，arebutidle，senselesschatter。
　　Theseyoungpeople，however，hadbeenfortunateinhavingthewisestandmostlovingguardianship，sothatalltheirhappyyoungliveshadbeenspenttogoodpurpose。Theyhadnotshirkedstudy，andsotheirmindswerestockedwithusefulinformation；theyhadreadcarefullyanddigestedthoroughlywhatevertheyhadread，sothattheypossessedagooddealofgeneralknowledge。Thegirlswerebright，sensible，industriouslittlewomen，whotriedtobegood，too，intheold-fashionedsenseoftheword；andfulloffun，nonsense，andchatterastheywereamongthemselves，theyneverforgottobemodestandunassuming。
　　Theboyswereprettywellinearnestaboutlife，too，withgoodambitionsandgenerousaspirations。TheyhadallbeenstudyingwithDr。Winshipfornearlytwoyears；andthatmeansagreatdeal，forhewasarealteacher，enteringintothelivesofhispupils，sympathisingwiththemineveryway，andleadingthem，throughthestudyofnature，ofhumanbeings，andofGod，toseethebeautyandmeaningoflife。
　　GeoffreyStrong，ofcourse，wasolderthantherest，havingcompletedhisjunioryearatcollege；butDr。Winship，whowashisguardian，thoughtitwiserforhimtorestayearandcometohiminCalifornia，ashisambitionandenergyhadalreadyledhimintogreaterexertionsthanhisageorstrengthwarranted。HewasnowstudyingmedicinewiththegoodDoctor，butwouldgobacktothe'landofperpetualpie'inthefallandcompletehiscollegecourse。
　　Asplendidfellowhewas，——soearnest，thoughtful，andwise；sogravelytenderinallhiswaystoAuntTruth，whowastheonlymotherhehadeverknown；sodevotedtoDr。Winship，wholovedhimashisownelderson。
　　WhatwillGeoffreyStrongbeasaman?Thetwigisbent，anditissafetopredicthowthetreewillincline。Hiswordwillbeasgoodashisbond；hewillbeagoodphysician，forhiseyeisquicktoseesuffering，andhishandreadytorelieveit；littlechildrenwithfeverishcheeksandtiredeyeswilllovetoclasphiscool，strongsand；hewillbegentleasawoman，yetthoroughlymanly，asheisnow，forhehasmadethemostofhisgoldenyouth，andeveryladwhodoesthatwillhaveagoldenmanhoodandagloriousoldage。
　　AsforPhilipNoble，hewasadear，good，trustworthyladtoo；
　　kindly，generous，practical，andindustrious；atrifleslowandreserved，perhaps，butfullofcommonsense，——thekindofsensewhich，afterall，ismostuncommon。
　　Belloncesaid:'ThisisthedifferencebetweenPhilipandGeoffrey，——onedoes，andtheotheris。GeoffistherealSimon-pureidealwhichwepraisePhilipfortryingtobe，'——averygooddescriptionforalittlemaidenwhosebrighteyeshadonlylookedintolifeforsixteensummers。
　　AndnowwecometoJackHoward，whoneverkeptstilllongenoughforanyonetowriteadescriptionofhim。ToexplainhowhedifferedfromPhiliporGeoffreywouldbelikebringingtheEquatorandtheTropicofCancertogetherforpurposesofcomparison。
　　Iftherewereahorsebackride，Jackrodethewildestcolt，wasoftenestthrownandleastoftenhurt；ifafishing-party，Jackitwaswhocaughtallthefish，thoughhemademorenoisethananyoneelse，andfollowednoruleslaiddowninTheCompleteAngler。
　　Hewasveryoftenintrouble；buthismisdemeanourswerethoseofpuremischief，andweregenerallyatonedforwhenitwaspossible。
　　Heexcelledinallout-of-doorsports。Andindeed，ifhisprudencehadatallkeptpacewithhisability，hemighthavedoneremarkablethingsinalmostanydirection；butheconstantlyovershotthemark，andpeoplelookedtohimforthedazzlingbrilliancyanduncertaintyofameteor，butneverforthesteadyglowofafixedstar。
　　Justnow，Jackwasagooddealsobered，andappearedathisverybest。TheteachingofDr。PaulandthecompanionshipofGeoffreyhaddonemuchforhim，whiletheillnessofhissisterElsie，whowasthedarlingofhisheart，actedconstantlyasasortofcurbuponhim；
　　forhelovedherwithalltheardourandpassionwhichhegavetoeverythingelse。YoumightbefearfulofJack'shighspiritsandriotousmirth，ofhisrecklessactionsandheedlessjokes，butyoucouldscarcelykeepfromadmiringtheboy；forhewasbraveandhandsomeandwinsomeenoughtocharmtheverybirdsoffthebush，asAuntTruthacknowledged，aftergivinghimalectureforsomemisdemeanour。
　　ThethreegirlsmadetheirwayashortdistanceupthecanyontoaplacewhichtheycalledProspectPool，becauseitwassoentirelyshutinfromobservation。
　　'DearoldGeoff!'saidBell，throwinghershawloverarockandopeninghervolumeofCarlyle。'Hehasgoneallthroughthisforme，andwrittennicelittleremarksonthemargin，——explanationsandthings，andinterrogationswherehethinksIwon'tknowwhatismeantandhadbetterfindout，——blesshisheart!Whathaveyoubrought，Margery?Bytheway，youmustmoveyourseatawayfromthatclumpofpoison-oakbushes；wecan'taffordtohaveanyaccidentswhichwillinterferewithourfun。Wehaveallsortsofnewremedies，butI
　　preferthattheboysshouldexperimentwiththem。'
　　'It'sthesoftestseathere，too，'grumbledMargery。'Wemustgettheboystocutthesebushesdown。Why，youhaven'tanybook，youlazyPolly。Areyougoingtosleep，orshallyouchatterandpreventourreading?'
　　'Neither，'sheanswered。'HereisadoughnutwhichIproposetosenddowntheredpathwayoffate；andhereapencilandpaperwithwhichIamgoingtobeginourround-robinlettertoElsie。'
　　'That'sgood!ShehasonlyhadnotesfromJackandoneletterfromus，which，ifIrememberright，hadnothinginit。'
　　'Thanks!Iwroteit，'sniffedBell。
　　'Well，Imeantithadnonews——noaccountofthings，youknow。'
　　'No，Iwouldn'tdescendtowritingnews，andIleaveaccountstothebutcher。'
　　'Stopquarrelling，girls!Thisismyplan:Iwillbegininmyusualrocketystyle，sometimesmaliciouslycalledthePollyolivermethod；
　　Margerywilltakeupthethreadsedately；Bellwillplungeinwithaburstofenthusiasmandseventeenadjectives，followedbyaverseofpoorpoetry；Geoffwilldothesportiveorinstructive，justashehappenstofeel；andPhilwillwinduptheletterbysomepracticaldetailswhichwillserveasakeytoalltherest。Won'titbeaboxofliterarybonbonsforhertoreadinbed，poordarling!Letmesee!Irepresentthecayennelozenges，sharpbutimpressive；Margerywilldoforjujubepaste，whichIadore，——mild，pleasant，yielding，delicious。'
　　'Stickyandinsipid!'murmuredMadge，plaintively。
　　'Notatall，mydear。Bellstandsforthepeppermints；Jackforchocolates，"theladies'delight"；Geoffreyforawine-drop，altogethergood，butsweetestinitsheart；Phil——letmesee!Philislike——whatishelike?'
　　'Nomorelikecandythanacoldboiledpotato，'saidhissister。
　　'Heiscandid，'suggestedBell。'Letuscallhimrock-candy，pure，healthful，andfarfromsoft。'
　　'Ormarshmallow，'saidMargery，'good，buttough。'
　　'Orcaramel，'laughedPolly；'italwaysstickstoapoint。'
　　'Thanks，gentlecreatures，'saidavoicefromthebushesontheothersideofthepool，andPhilstalkedoutfromhiscovert，likeawoundeddeer。
　　'Howlonghaveyoubeeninthere，villain?'criedBell。
　　'Eversincelunch；butIonlywakedfromasoundsleepsometwentyminutesago。I'veheardamostinstructiveconversation——neverbeenmoreamusedinmylife；don'tknowwhetherIpreferbeingacoldboiledpotatooraladies'-delight!'
　　'Youhaven'tanychoice，'snappedPolly，atrifleembarrassedathavingbeenoverheard。
　　'I'mgladitwasmyownsisterwhocalledmeac。b。p。themostloathsomethinginexistence，bytheway，becausesistersneverappreciatetheirbrothers。'
　　'Ididn'tcallyouac。b。p。，'remonstratedMargery。'Isaidyouwerenomorelikecandythanac。b。p。Thereisadifference。'
　　'Isthere?Mypoorbrainfailstograspit。Butnevermind；I'llforgiveyou。'
　　'Listenersneverheargoodofthemselves，'sighedPolly。
　　'Areyouwritingacopy-book，MissOliver?Ididn'twanttolisten；
　　itwasverypainfultomyfeelings，butIwastoosleepytomove。'
　　'Andnowourafternoonisgone，andwehavenotreadaword，'sighedlittleMargery。'InevermettwosuchchatterboxesasyouandPolly。'
　　'Andtohearustalkisaliberaleducation，'retortedPolly。
　　'Exactly，'saidPhilip，dryly，'Come，I'lltakethebooksandshawls。
　　It'snearlyfiveo'clock，andweshallhearHopYetblowinghislustydinner-hornpresently。'
　　'Whydidn'tyougooffshootingwiththeothers?'askedMargery。
　　'Stayedathomesothey'dgetachancetoshoot。'
　　'Why，doyoumeanyoualwaysscarethegameaway?'inquiredPolly，artlessly。
　　'No；ImeanthatIalwaysdoalltheshooting，andtheothersgetdiscouraged。'
　　'Clasphandsoverthebloodychasm，'saidBell，'andletussmokethepipeofpeaceatdinner。'
　　PhilipandBellcamethroughthetrees，and，astheynearedthecamp，sawAuntTruthsittingatthedoorofTentChatter，lookingtheverypictureofcomfort，asshedrewherdarning-needleinandoutofanunseemlyrentinoneofDicky'sstockings。MargeryandPollycameupjustbehind，anddroppedintoherlapsomebeautifulbranchesofwildazalea。
　　'Didyouhaveapleasantwalk，dears?'sheasked。
　　'Yes，indeed，dearauntie。Now，justholdyourheadperfectlystill，whilewedecorateyoufordinner。WewillmakeUncleDoc'seyesfairlypopwithadmiration。Haveyoubeenlonelywithoutus?'
　　'Oh，notabit。Youseetherehasbeenagooddealofnoiseabouthere，andIfeltasifIwerenotalone。HopYethasbeenpoundingsoap-rootinthekitchen，andIhearthesoundofPancho'saxeinthedistance，——theDoctoraskedhimtochopwoodforthecamp-fire。WasDickyanytrouble?Whereishe?'
　　'Why，darlingmother，areyoucrazy?'askedBell。'Ifyouthinkamoment，hewasinthehammockandyouwerelyingdowninthetentwhenwestarted。'