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