"That'syou,"whisperedJack,throwingthewhitecarnationatJill,andshethrewbacktheredone,withherfingeronherlips,forthetalewasveryinterestingnow。
　　"Shedidnotsuffermuchafteratime,butshescoldedandcried,andcouldnotberesigned,becauseshewasaprisoner。Thequeentriedtohelpher,butshecouldnotdomuch;theprinceswerekind,buttheyhadtheirbooksandplays,andwereawayagooddeal。
　　Somefriendsshehadcameoftentoseeher,butstillshebeatherwingsagainstthebars,likeawildbirdinacage,andsoonherspiritswereallgone,anditwassadtoseeher。"
　　"WherewasyourSaintLucy？Ithoughtitwasabouther,askedJack,whodidnotliketohaveJill'spasttroublesdweltupon,sincehiswerenot。
　　"Sheiscoming。Saintsarenotborn——theyaremadeaftermanytrialsandtribulations,"answeredhismother,lookingatthefireasifithelpedhertospinherlittlestory。"Well,thepoorchildusedtosingsometimestowhileawaythelonghours——sadsongsmostly,andoneamongthemwhichthequeentaughtherwas'SweetPatience,Come。'
　　"Thissheusedtosingagreatdealafterawhile,neverdreamingthatPatiencewasanangelwhocouldhearandobey。Butitwasso;
　　andonenight,whenthegirlhadlulledherselftosleepwiththatsong,theangelcame。Nobodysawthelovelyspiritwithtendereyes,andavoicethatwaslikebalm。Nooneheardtherustleofwingsasshehoveredoverthelittlebedandtouchedthelips,theeyes,thehandsofthesleeper,andthenflewaway,leavingthreegiftsbehind。Thegirldidnotknowwhy,butafterthatnightthesongsgrewgayer,thereseemedtobemoresunshineeverywherehereyeslooked,andherhandswerenevertiredofhelpingothersinvariouspretty,useful,orpleasantways。Slowlythewildbirdceasedtobeatagainstthebars,butsatinitscageandmademusicforallinthepalace,tillthequeencouldnotdowithoutit,thepoormothercheeredup,andtheprincescalledthegirltheirnightingale。"
　　"Wasthatthemiracle？"askedJack,forgettingallabouthisslippers,ashewatchedJill'seyesbrightenandthecolorcomeupinherwhitecheeks。
　　"Thatwasthemiracle,andPatiencecanworkfargreateronesifyouwilllether。"
　　"Andthegirl'snamewasLucy？"
　　"Yes;theydidnotcallherasaintthen,butshewastryingtobeascheerfulasacertaingoodwomanshehadheardof,andsothequeenhadthatnameforher,thoughshedidnotletherknowitforalongtime。"
　　"That'snotbadforaSundaystory,buttheremighthavebeenmoreabouttheprinces,seemstome,"wasFrank'scriticism,asJilllayverystill,tryingtohideherfacebehindthecarnation,forshehadnowordstotellhowtouchedandpleasedshewastofindthatherlittleeffortstobegoodhadbeenseen,remembered,andnowrewardedinthisway。
　　Thereismore。
　　"Thenthestoryisn'tdone？"criedJack。
　　"Ohdear,no;themostinterestingthingsaretocome,ifyoucanwaitforthem。"
　　"Yes,Isee,thisisthemoralpart。Nowkeepstill,andletushavetherest,"commandedFrank,whiletheotherscomposedthemselvesforthesequel,suspectingthatitwasrathernice,becauseMamma'ssoberfacechanged,andhereyeslaughedastheylookedatthefire。
　　"Theelderprincewasveryfondofdrivingdragons,forthepeopleofthatcountryusedthesefierymonstersashorses。"
　　"Andgotrunawaywith,didn'the？"laughedJack,adding,withgreatinterest,"Whatdidtheotherfellowdo？"
　　"Hewentaboutfightingotherpeople'sbattles,helpingthepoor,andtryingtodogood。Buthelackedjudgment,soheoftengotintotrouble,andwasinsuchahurrythathedidnotalwaysstoptofindoutthewisestway。Aswhenhegaveawayhisbestcoattoabeggarboy,insteadoftheoldonewhichheintendedtogive。
　　"Isay,thatisn'tfair,mother！Neitherofthemwasnew,andtheboyneededthebestmorethanI'did,andIworetheoldoneallwinter,didn'tI？"askedJack,whohadratherexultedoverFrank,andwasnowtakendownhimself。
　　"Yes,youdid,mydear;anditwasnotaneasythingformydandiprattodo。Nowlisten,andI'lltellyouhowtheybothlearnedtobewiser。Theelderprincesoonfoundthatthebigdragonsweretoomuchforhim,andsetabouttraininghisownlittleone,whonowandthenranawaywithhim。ItsnamewasWill,agoodservant,butabadmaster;sohelearnedtocontrolit,andintimethisgavehimgreatpoweroverhimself,andfittedhimtobeakingoverothers。"
　　"Thankyou,mother;I'llremembermypartofthemoral。NowgiveJackhis,"saidFrank,wholikedthedragonepisode,ashehadbeenwrestlingwithhisownoflate,andfoundithardtomanage。
　　"Hehadafineexamplebeforehiminafriend,andhefolloweditmorereasonablytillhegrewabletousewiselyoneofthebestandnoblestgiftsofGod——benevolence。"
　　"Nowtellaboutthegirl。Wastheremoretothatpartofthestory？"
　　askedJack,wellpleasedwithhismoral,asittookEdinlikewise。
　　"Thatisthebestofall,butitseemsasifInevershouldgettoit。
　　AfterPatiencemadeLucysweetandcheerful,shebegantohaveacuriouspoweroverthoseabouther,andtoworklittlemiraclesherself,thoughshedidnotknowit。Thequeenlearnedtolovehersodearlyshecouldnotlethergo;shecheeredupallherfriendswhentheycamewiththeirsmalltroubles;theprincesfoundbrighteyes,willinghands,andakindheartalwaysattheirservice,andfelt,withoutquiteknowingwhy,thatitwasgoodforthemtohaveagentlelittlecreaturetocarefor;sotheysoftenedtheirroughmanners,loudvoices,andcarelessways,forhersake,andwhenitwasproposedtotakeherawaytoherownhometheycouldnotgiveherup,butsaidshemuststaylonger,didn'tthey？"
　　"I'dliketoseethemsayinganythingelse,"saidFrank,whileJacksatuptodemandfiercely,"WhotalksabouttakingJillaway？"
　　"Lucy'smotherthoughtsheoughttogo,andsaidso,butthequeentoldherhowmuchgooditdidthemalltohaveherthere,andbeggedthedearwomantoletherlittlecottageandcomeandbehousekeeperinthepalace,forthequeenwasgettinglazy,andlikedtositandread,andtalkandsewwithLucy,betterthantolookafterthings。"
　　"Andshesaidshewould？"criedJill,claspingherhandsinheranxiety,forshehadlearnedtolovehercagenow。
　　"Yes。"Mrs。Minothadnotimetosaymore,foroneoftheredslippersflewupintheair,andJackhadtoclapbothhandsoverhismouthtosuppressthe"hurrah！"thatnearlyescaped。Franksaid,"That'sgood！"andnoddedwithhismostcordialsmileatJillwhopulledherselfupwithcheeksnowasrosyastheredcarnation,andalittlecatchinherbreathasshesaidtoherself,"It'stoolovelytobetrue。"
　　"That'safirst—rateendtoaverygoodstory,"beganJack,withgravedecision,asheputonhisslipperandsatuptopatJill'shand,wishingitwasnotquitesolikealittleclaw。
　　"That'snottheend";andMamma'seyeslaughedmorethaneverasthreeastonishedfacesturnedtoher,andthreevoicescriedout,"Stillmore？"
　　"Theverybestofall。Youmustknowthat,whileLucywasbusyforothers,shewasnotforgotten,andwhenshewasexpectingtolieonherbedthroughthesummer,planswerebeingmadeforallsortsofpleasantchanges。Firstofall,shewastohaveanicelittlebracetosupportthebackwhichwasgrowingbettereveryday;
　　then,asthewarmweathercameon,shewastogoout,orlieonthepiazza;andbyandby,whenschoolwasdone,shewastogowiththequeenandtheprincesforamonthortwodowntothesea—side,wherefreshairandsaltwaterweretobuildherupinthemostdelightfulway。There,now！isn'tthatthebestendingofall？"andMammapausedtoreadheranswerinthebrightfacesoftwoofthelisteners,forJillhidhersinthepillow,andlayquitestill,asifitwastoomuchforher。
　　"Thatwillberegularlysplendid！I'llrowyouallabout——boatingissomucheasierthanriding,andIlikeitonsaltwater,"saidFrank,goingtositonthearmofthesofa,quiteexcitedbythecharmsofthenewplan。
　　"AndI'llteachyoutoswim,androllyouoverthebeach,andgetsea—weedandshells,andnoendofnicethings,andwe'llallcomehomeasstrongaslions,"addedJack,scramblingupasifabouttosetoffatonce。
　　"Thedoctorsaysyouhavebeendoingfinelyoflate,andthebracewillcometo—morrow,andthefirstreallymilddayyouaretohaveabreathoffreshair。Won'tthatbegood？"askedMrs。Minot,hopingherstoryhadnotbeentoointeresting。
　　"Isshecrying？"saidJack,muchconcernedashepattedthepillowinhismostsoothingway,whileFrankliftedonecurlafteranothertoseewhatwashiddenunderneath。
　　Nottears,fortwoeyessparkledbehindthefingers,thenthehandscamedownlikecloudsfrombeforethesun,andJill'sfaceshoneoutsobrightandhappyitdidone'sheartgoodtoseeit。
　　"I'mnotcrying,"shesaidwithalaughwhichwasfullerofblithemusicthananysongshesung。"Butitwassosplendid,itsortoftookmybreathawayforaminute。IthoughtIwasn'tanybetter,andnevershouldbe,andImadeupmymindIwouldn'task,itwouldbesohardforanyonetotellmeso。NowIseewhythedoctormademestandup,andtoldmetogetmybasketsreadytogoa—Maying。Ithoughthewasinfun;didhereallymeanIcouldgo？"askedJill,expectingtoomuch,forawordofencouragementmadeherashopefulasshehadbeendespondentbefore。
　　"No,dear,notsosoonasthat。Itwillbemonths,probably,beforeyoucanwalkandrun,asyouusedto;buttheywillsoonpass。Youneedn'tmindaboutMay—day;itisalwaystoocoldforflowers,andyouwillfindmorehereamongyourownplants,thanonthehills,tofillyourbaskets,"answeredMrs。Minot,hasteningtosuggestsomethingpleasanttobeguilethetimeofprobation。
　　"Icanwait。Monthsarenotyears,andifI'mtrulygettingwell,everythingwillseembeautifulandeasytome,"saidJill,layingherselfdownagain,withthepatientlookshehadlearnedtowear,andgatheringupthescatteredcarnationstoenjoytheirspicybreath,asifthefairieshiddentherehadtaughthersomeoftheirsweetsecrets。
　　"Dearlittlegirl,ithasbeenalong,hardtrialforyou,butitiscomingtoanend,andIthinkyouwillfindthatithasnotbeentimewasted,Idon'twantyoutobeasaintquiteyet,butIamsureagentlerJillwillriseupfromthatsofathantheonewholaydownthereinDecember。"
　　"HowcouldIhelpgrowingbetter,whenyouweresogoodtome？"
　　criedJill,puttingupbotharms,asMrs。MinotwenttotakeFrank'splace,andheretiredtothefire,theretostandsurveyingthescenewithcalmapproval。
　　"Youhavedonequiteasmuchforus;soweareeven。Iprovedthattoyourmother,andsheisgoingtoletthelittlehouseandtakecareofthebigoneforme,whileIborrowyoutokeepmehappyandmaketheboysgentleandkind。Thatisthebargain,andwegetthebestofit,"saidMrs。Minot,lookingwellpleased,whileJackadded,"That'sso！"andFrankobservedwithanairofconviction,'Wecouldn'tgetonwithoutJill,possibly。"
　　"CanIdoallthat？I'didn'tknowIwasofanyuse。Ionlytriedtobegoodandgrateful,fortheredidn'tseemtobeanythingelseIcoulddo,"saidJill,wonderingwhytheywereallsofondofher。
　　"Norealtryingiseverinvain。Itislikethespringrain,andflowersaresuretofollowingoodtime。ThethreegiftsPatiencegaveSaintLucywerecourage,cheerfulness,andlove,andwiththeseonecanworkthesweetestmiraclesintheworld,asyousee,"andMrs。
　　Minotpointedtotheprettyroomanditshappyinmates。
　　"AmIreallytheleastbitlikethatgoodLucinda？Itriedtobe,butI
　　didn'tthinkIwas,"askedJillsoftly。
　　"Youareverylikeherinallwaysbutone。Shedidnotgetwell,andyouwill。"
　　Ashortanswer,butitsatisfiedJilltoherheart'score,andthatnight,whenshelayinbed,shethoughttoherself:"HowcuriousitisthatI'vebeenasortofmissionarywithoutknowingit！Theyallloveandthankme,andwon'tletmego,soIsupposeImusthavedonesomething,butIdon'tknowwhat,excepttryingtobegoodandpleasant。"
　　Thatwasthesecret,andJillfounditoutjustwhenitwasmostgratefulasarewardforpastefforts,mosthelpfulasanencouragementtowardtheconstantwell—doingwhichcanmakeevenalittlegirlajoyandcomforttoallwhoknowandloveher。
　　Chapter16UpatMerry's"Nowflyround,child,andgetyoursweepingdoneupsmartandearly。"
　　"Yes,mother。"
　　"Ishallwantyoutohelpmeaboutthebaking,byandby。"
　　"Yes,mother。"
　　"Roxyiscleaningthecellar—closets,soyou'llhavetogetthevegetablesreadyfordinner。Fatherwantsaboileddish,andIshallbesobusyIcan'tseetoit。"
　　"Yes,mother。"
　　Acheerfulvoicegavethethreeanswers,butitcostMerryanefforttokeepitso,forshehadcertainlittleplansofherownwhichmadetheworkbeforeherunusuallydistasteful。Saturdayalwayswasatryingday,for,thoughshelikedtoseeroomsinorder,shehatedtosweep,asnospeckescapedMrs。Grant'seye,andonlythegoodold—fashionedbroom,wieldedbyapairofstrongarms,wasallowed。Bakingwasanothertrial:shelovedgoodbreadanddelicatepastry,butdidnotenjoyburningherfaceoverahotstove,daubingherhandswithdough,orspendinghoursrollingoutcookiesfortheboys;whilea"boileddinner"washerespecialhorror,asitwasnotelegant,andthewashingofvegetableswasajobshealwaysshirkedwhenshecould。
　　However,havingmadeuphermindtodoherworkwithoutcomplaint,sheranupstairstoputonherdust—cap,tryingtolookasifsweepingwasthejoyofherlife。
　　"Itissuchalovelyday,I'didwanttorakemygarden,andhaveawalkwithMolly,andfinishmybooksoIcangetanother,"shesaidwithasigh,assheleanedoutoftheopenwindowforabreathoftheunusuallymildair。
　　Downintheten—acrelottheboyswerecartingandspreadingloam;
　　outinthebarnherfatherwasgettinghisplowsready;overthehillrosethesmokeofthedistantfactory,andtheriverthatturnedthewheelswasglidingthroughthemeadows,wheresoontheblackbirdswouldbesinging。OldBesspawedtheground,eagertobeoff;thegrayhenswerescratchingbusilyallabouttheyard;
　　eventhegreenthingsinthegardenwerepushingthroughthebrownearth,softenedbyAprilrains,andtherewasashimmerofsunshineoverthewidelandscapethatmadeeveryfamiliarobjectbeautifulwithhintsofspring,andtheactivityitbrings。
　　SomethingmadetheoldnurseryhymncomeintoMerry'shead,andhummingtoherself,"InworksoflabororofskillIwouldbebusytoo,"
　　shetiedonhercap,shoulderedherbroom,andfelltoworksoenergeticallythatshesoonsweptherwaythroughthechambers,downthefrontstairstotheparlordoor,leavingfreshnessandorderbehindherasshewent。
　　Shealwaysgroanedwhensheenteredthatapartment,andgotoutofitagainassoonaspossible,foritwas,likemostcountryparlors,aprimandchillyplace,withlittlebeautyandnocomfort。
　　Blackhorse—hairfurniture,veryslipperyandhard,stoodagainstthewall;thetablehaditsgiftbooks,albums,worstedmatanduglylamp;themantel—pieceitschinavases,pinkshells,andclockthatneverwent;thegaycarpetwaskeptdistressinglybrightbyclosedshutterssixdaysoutoftheseven,andageneralairofgo—to—
　　meetingsolemnitypervadedtheroom。Merrylongedtomakeitprettyandpleasant,buthermotherwouldallowofnochangethere,sothegirlgaveupherdreamsofrugsandhangings,finepicturesandtastefulornaments,anddutifullyaired,dusted,andshutupthisawfulapartmentonceaweek,privatelyresolvingthat,ifsheeverhadaparlorofherown,itshouldnotbeasdismalasatomb。
　　Thedining—roomwasaverydifferentplace,forhereMerryhadbeenallowedtodoassheliked,yetsogradualhadbeenthechange,thatshewouldhavefounditdifficulttotellhowitcameabout。Itseemedtobeginwiththeflowers,forherfatherkepthiswordaboutthe"posypots,"andgotenoughtomakequitealittleconservatoryinthebay—window,whichwassufficientlylargeforthreerowsallround,andhanging—basketsoverhead。Beingdiscouragedbyherfirstfailure,Merrygaveuptryingtohavethingsniceeverywhere,andcontentedherselfwithmakingthatonenooksoprettythattheboyscalledither"bower。"EvenbusyMrs。Grantownedthatplantswerenotsomessyassheexpected,andthefannerwasnevertiredofwatching"littledaughter"asshesatatworkthere,withherlowchairandtablefullofbooks。
　　Thelamphelped,also,forMerrysetupherown,andkeptitsowelltrimmedthatitburnedclearandbright,shiningonthegreenarchofivyoverhead,andonthenasturtiumvinesframingtheoldglass,andpeepingattheirgaylittlefaces,andattheprettyyounggirl,sopleasantlythatfirstherfathercametoreadhispaperbyit,thenhermotherslippedintorestontheloungeinthecorner,andfinallytheboyshoveredaboutthedoorasifthe"settin'—room"hadgrownmoreattractivethanthekitchen。
　　Buttheopenfiredidmorethananythingelsetowinandholdthemall,asitseldomfailstodowhentheblackdemonofanairtightstoveisbanishedfromthehearth。Aftertheroomwascleanedtillitshone,Merrybeggedtohavethebrassandironsputin,andofferedtokeepthemasbrightasgoldifhermotherwouldconsent。Sothegreatlogswerekindled,andtheflameswentdancingupthechimneyasifgladtobesetfreefromtheirprison。
　　Itchangedthewholeroomlikemagic,andnoonecouldresistthedesiretoenjoyitscheerycomfort。Thefarmer'sthree—corneredleathernchairsoonstoodononeside,andmother'srockerontheother,astheytoastedtheirfeetanddozedorchattedinthepleasantwarmth。
　　Theboys'slipperswerealwaysreadyonthehearth;andwhenthebigbootswereonceoff,theynaturallysettleddownaboutthetable,wherethetalllamp,withitsprettyshadeofpressedautumnleaves,burnedbrightly,andthebooksandpaperslayreadytotheirhandsinsteadofbeingtuckedoutofsightinthecloset。Theywerebeginningtoseethat"Merry'snotions"hadsomesenseinthem,sincetheyweremadecomfortable,andgood—naturedlytooksomepainstopleaseherinvariousways。Tombrushedhishairandwashedhishandsnicelybeforehecametotable。Dicktriedtolowerhisboisterouslaughter,andHarryneversmokedinthesitting—room。EvenRoxyexpressedherpleasureinseeing"thingskindofsprucedup,"andMerry'sgentletreatmentofthehard—workingdrudgewonherheartentirely。
　　Thegirlwasthinkingofthesechangesasshewateredherflowers,dustedthefurniture,andlaidthefirereadyforkindling;and,whenallwasdone,shestoodaminutetoenjoythepleasantroom,fullofspringsunshine,freshair,andexquisiteorder。Itseemedtogiveherheartformoredistastefullabors,andshefelltoworkatthepiesascheerfullyasifshelikedit。
　　Mrs。Grantwasflyingaboutthekitchen,gettingtheloavesofbrownandwhitebreadreadyforthebigoven。Roxy'svoicecameupfromthecellarsinging"BoundingBillows,"withaswashingandscrubbingaccompanimentwhichsuggestedthatshewasactuallyenjoyinga"lifeontheoceanwave。"Merry,inherneatcapandapron,stoodsmilingoverherworkasshedeftlyrolledandclipped,filledandcovered,findingacertainsortofpleasureindoingitwell,andaddinginteresttoitbycrimpingthecrust,makingprettydeviceswithstripsofpasteandstar—shapedprickingsofthefork。
　　"Good—willgivethskill,"saystheproverb,andevenparticularMrs。
　　Grantwassatisfiedwhenshepausedtoexaminethepastrywithherexperiencedeye。
　　"Youareahandychildandacredittoyourbringingup,thoughI
　　dosayit。ThoseareasprettypiesasI'dwishtoeat,iftheybakewell,andthere'snoreasonwhytheyshouldn't。"
　　"MayImakesometartsorrabbitsofthesebits？Theboyslikethem,andIenjoymodellingthissortofthing,"saidMerry,whowastryingtomouldabird,asshehadseenRalphdowithclaytoamuseJillwhilethebustwasgoingon。
　　"No,dear;there'snotimeforknick—knacksto—day。Thebeetsoughttobeonthisminute。Runandget'em,andbesureyouscrapethecarrotswell。"
　　PoorMerryputawaythedelicatetaskshewasjustbeginningtolike,andtakingapanwentdowncellar,wishingvegetablescouldbegrownwithoutearth,forshehatedtoputherhandsindirtywater。AwordofpraisetoRoxymadethatgratefulscrubberleaveherworktopokeaboutintheroot—cellar,choosing"sechaswasprettymuchofamuchness,elsetheywouldn'tbileeven";soMerrywassparedthatpartofthejob,andwentuptoscrapeandwashwithoutcomplaint,sinceitwasforfather。Shewasrepaidatnoonbytherelishwithwhichheenjoyedhisdinner,forMerrytriedtomakeevenaboileddishprettybyarrangingthebeets,carrots,turnips,andpotatoesincontrastingcolors,withthebeefhiddenunderthecabbageleaves。
　　"Now,I'llrestandreadforanhour,thenI'llrakemygarden,orrundowntowntoseeMollyandgetsomeseeds,"shethoughttoherself,assheputawaythespoonsandglasses,whichshelikedtowash,thattheymightalwaysbeclearandbright。
　　"Ifyou'vedoneallyourownmending,there'saheapofsockstobelookedover。ThenI'llshowyouaboutdarningthetablecloths。IdohatetohaveastitchofworkleftovertillMonday,"saidMrs。
　　Grant,whonevertooknaps,andpridedherselfonsittingdowntoherneedleat3P。M。everyday。
　　"Yes,mother";andMerrywentslowlyupstairs,feelingthatapartofSaturdayoughttobeaholidayafterbooksandworkalltheweek。Asshebraidedupherhair,hereyefelluponthereflectionofherownfaceintheglass。Notahappynoraprettyonejustthen,andMerrywassounaccustomedtoseeinganyother,thatinvoluntarilythefrownsmootheditselfout,theeyeslosttheirwearylook,thedroopinglipscurvedintoasmile,and,leaningherelbowsonthebureau,sheshookherheadatherself,saying,halfaloud,assheglancedatIvanhoelyingnear,"Youneedn'tlooksocrossanduglyjustbecauseyoucan'thavewhatyouwant。Sweeping,baking,anddarningarenotsobadasbeingplaguedwithloversandcarriedoffandburntatthestake,soIwon'tenvypoorRebeccaherjewelsandcurlsandromantictimes,butmakethebestofmyown。"
　　Thenshelaughed,andthebrightfacecamebackintothemirror,lookinglikeanoldfriend,andMerrywentondressingwithcare,forshetookpleasureinherownlittlecharms,andfeltasenseofcomfortinknowingthatshecouldalwayshaveoneprettythingtolookatifshekeptherownfacesereneandsweet。Itcertainlylookedsoasitbentoverthepileofbigsockshalfanhourlater,andbrightenedwitheachthatwaslaidaside。Hermothersawit,and,guessingwhysuchwistfulglanceswentfromclocktowindow,kindlyshortenedthetaskoftable—clothdarningbydoingagoodbitherself,beforeputtingitintoMerry'shands。
　　Shewasagoodandlovingmotherinspiteofherstrictways,andknewthatitwasbetterforherromanticdaughtertobelearningallthehousewiferylessonsshecouldteachher,thantobereadingnovels,writingverses,orphilanderingaboutwithherheadfullofgirlishfancies,quiteinnocentinthemselves,butnotthestufftoliveon。Soshewiselytaughtthehandsthatpreferredtopickflowers,trimuproomsandmouldbirds,toworkwellwithneedle,broom,androlling—pin;putareceipt—bookbeforetheeyesthatlovedtolaughandweepovertendertales,andkepttheyoungheadandheartsafeandhappywithwholesomeduties,usefulstudies,andsuchharmlesspleasuresasgirlsshouldlove,insteadoflettingthemwastetheirfreshnessinvaguelongings,idledreams,andfrivolouspastimes。
　　Butitwasoftenhardtothwartthedocilechild,andlatelyshehadseemedtobegrowingupsofastthathermotherbegantofeelanewsortoftendernessforthissweetdaughter,whowasalmostreadytotakeuponherselfthecares,aswellastriumphsanddelights,ofmaidenhood。Somethinginthedroopofthebrownhead,andthequickmotionofthebusyhandwithalittleburnonit,madeitdifficultforMrs。GranttokeepMerryatworkthatday,andhereyewatchedtheclockalmostasimpatientlyasthegirl's,forshelikedtoseetheyoungfacebrightenwhenthehourofreleasecame。
　　"Whatnext？"askedMerry,asthelaststitchwasset,andshestifledasighonhearingtheclockstrikefour,forthesunwasgettinglow,andthelovelyafternoongoingfast,"Onemorejob,ifyouarenottootiredforit。IwantthereceiptfordietdrinkMissDawespromisedme;wouldyouliketorundownandgetitforme,dear？"
　　"Yes,mother！"andthatanswerwasasblitheasarobin'schirp,forthatwasjustwhereMerrywantedtogo。
　　Awaywentthimbleandscissors,andinfiveminutesawaywentMerry,skippingdownthehillwithoutacareintheworld,forahappyheartsatsingingwithin,andeverythingseemedfullofbeauty。
　　ShehadacapitaltimewithMolly,calledonJill,didhershoppinginthevillage,andhadjustturnedtowalkupthehill,whenRalphEvanscametrampingalongbehindher,lookingsopleasedandproudaboutsomethingthatshecouldnothelpaskingwhatitwas,fortheyweregreatfriends,andMerrythoughtthattobeanartistwasthemostgloriouscareeramancouldchoose。
　　"Iknowyou'vegotsomegoodnews,"shesaid,lookingupathimashetouchedhishatandfellintostepwithher,seemingmorecontentedthanbefore。
　　"Ihave,andwasjustcominguptotellyou,forIwassureyouwouldbeglad。Itisonlyahope,achance,butitissosplendidI
　　feelasifImustshoutanddance,orflyoverafenceortwo,toletoffsteam。"
　　"Dotellme,quick;haveyougotanorder？"askedMerry,fullofinterestatonce,forartisticvicissitudeswereveryromantic,andshelikedtohearaboutthem。
　　"Imaygoabroadintheautumn。"
　　"Oh,howlovely！"
　　"Isn'tit？DavidGermanisgoingtospendayearinRome,tofinishastatue,andwantsmetogoalong。Grandmaiswilling,ascousinMariawantsherforalongvisit,soeverythinglookspromisingandIreallythinkImaygo。"
　　"Won'titcostagreatdeal？"askedMerry,who,inspiteofherlittleelegancies,hadagooddealofherthriftymother'scommonsense。
　　"Yes;andI'vegottoearnit。ButIcan——IknowIcan,forI'vesavedsome,andIshallworkliketenbeaversallsummer。Iwon'tborrowifIcanhelpit,butIknowsomeonewhowouldlendmefivehundredifIwantedit";andRalphlookedaseagerandsecureasiftheearningoftwicethatsumwasameretriflewhenallthelongingofhislifewasputintohisdailytasks。
　　"Iwish1hadittogiveyou。Itmustbesosplendidtofeelthatyoucandogreatthingsifyouonlyhavethechance。Andtotravel,andseeallthelovelypicturesandstatues,andpeopleandplacesinItaly。Flowhappyyoumustbe！"andMerry'seyeshadthewistfullooktheyalwaysworewhenshedreameddreamsoftheworldshelovedtolivein。
　　"Iam——sohappythatI'mafraiditneverwillhappen。IfIdogo,I'llwriteandtellyouallaboutthefinesights,andhowIgeton。
　　Wouldyoulikemeto？"askedRalph,beginningenthusiasticallyandendingratherbashfully,forheadmiredMerryverymuch,andwasnotquitesurehowthisproposalwouldbereceived。
　　"IndeedIshould！I'dfeelsograndtohavelettersfromParisandRome,andyou'dhavesomuchtotellitwouldbealmostasgoodasgoingmyself,"shesaid,lookingoffintothedaffodilsky,astheypausedaminuteonthehill—toptogetbreath,forbothhadwalkedasfastastheytalked。
　　"Andwillyouanswertheletters？"askedRalph,watchingtheinnocentface,whichlookedunusuallykindandbeautifultohiminthatsoftlight。
　　'Why,yes;I'dloveto,onlyIshallnothaveanythinginterestingtosay。WhatcanIwriteabout？"andMerrysmiledasshethoughthowdullherletterswouldsoundaftertheexcitingdetailshiswoulddoubtlessgive。
　　"Writeaboutyourself,andalltherestofthepeopleIknow。
　　Grandmawillbegone,andIshallwanttohearhowyougeton。"
　　Ralphlookedveryanxiousindeedtohear,andMerrypromisedshewouldtellallabouttheotherpeople,adding,assheturnedfromtheeveningpeaceandlovelinesstothehouse,whencecametheclatterofmilk—pansandthesmellofcooking,"Inevershouldhaveanythingverynicetotellaboutmyself,forI
　　don'tdointerestingthingsasyoudo,andyouwouldn'tcaretohearaboutschool,andsewing,andmessingroundathome。"