"Ihaven'tgotanything。Can'tsewragstogether;ormakebabyengines,andIhavenolive—stock——yes,Ihavetoo！There'soldBun。
　　I'llsendhim,forthefunofit;hereallyisacuriosity,forheisthebiggestoneIeversaw,andhoppingintothelimehasmadehisfursuchaqueercolor,helookslikeanewsortofrabbit。I'llcatchandshuthimupbeforehegetswildagain";andoffrushedJacktolureunsusFectinsoldBun,whohadgrowntameduringtheirabsence,intothecagewhichhedetested。
　　Theyalllaughedathisardor,butthefancypleasedthem;andasMammasawnoreasonwhytheirlittleworksofartshouldnotbesent,Frankfelltoworkonhismodel,andJillresolvedtofinishherquiltatonce,whileMrs。MinotwentofftoseeMr。Actonaboutthehoursandstudiesfortheboys。
　　Inaweekortwo,theyoungpeoplewerealmostresignedtothelossofschool,fortheyfoundthemselvesdelightfullyfreshforthefewlessonstheydidhave,andnotwearyofplay,sinceittookmanyusefulforms。OldJanenotonlycarriedthemalltoride,butgaveJackplentyofworkkeepingherpremisesinniceorder。Frankmournedprivatelyoverthedelayofcollege,butfoundasolaceinhiswhirligigandtheGymnasium,wherehesethimselftodevelopingachesttomatchthebigheadabove,whichheadnolongerachedwitheightortenhoursofstudy。Harvestingbeansandrakingupleavesseemedtohaveasoothingeffectuponhisnerves,fornowhefellasleepatonceinsteadofthumpinghispillowwithvexationbecausehisbrainwouldgoonworkingatdifficultproblemsandpassageswhenhewantedittostop。
　　JillandMollydroveawayinthelittlephaetoneveryfairmorningoverthesunnyhillsandthroughthechangingwoods,fillingtheirhandswithastersandgolden—rod,theirlungswiththepure,invigoratingair,andtheirheadswithallmannerofsweetandhappyfanciesandfeelingsbornofthewholesomeinfluencesahoutthem,People5hooktheirheads,andsaiditwaswastingtime;buttherosy—facedgirlswereContenttotrustthosewiserthanthemselves,andfoundtheirnewschoolverypleasant。Theyreadaloudagooddeal,rapidlyacquiringoneoftherarestandmostbeautifulaccomplishments;fortheycouldstopandaskquestionsastheywentalong,sothattheyunderstoodwhattheyread,whichishalfthesecret。Athousandthingscameupastheysewedtogetherintheafternoon,andtheeagermindsreceivedmuchgeneralinformationinaneasyandwell—orderedway。Physiologywasoneofthefavoritestudies,andMrs。Hammondoftencameintogivethemalittlelecture,teachingthemtounderstandthewondersoftheirownsystems,andhowtokeeptheminorder——alessonoffarmoreimportancejustthenthanGreekorLatin,forgirlsarethefuturemothers,nurses,teachers,oftherace,andshouldfeelhowmuchdependsonthem。Merrycouldnotresisttheattractionsofthefriendlycircle,andsoonpersuadedhermothertoletherdoastheydid;soshegotmoreexerciseandlessstudy,whichwasjustwhatthedelicategirlneeded。
　　Thefirstofthenewideasseemedtoprosper,andthesecond,thoughsuggestedinjoke,wascarriedoutinearnest,fortheotheryoungpeoplewereseizedwithastrongdesiretosendsomethingtotheFair。Infact,allsortsofqueerarticleswereproposed,andmuchfunprevailed,especiallyamongtheboys,whoransackedtheirgardensformammothvegetables,sighedforfive—leggedcalves,blueroses,oranyothernaturalcuriositybymeansofwhichtheymightdistinguishthemselves。Ralphwastheonlyonewhohadanythingreallyworthsending;forthoughFranksmodelseemedquiteperfect,itobstinatelyrefusedtogo,andatthelastmomentblewupwithareportlikeapop—gun。Soitwaslaidawayforrepairs,anditsdisappointedmakerdevotedhisenergiestohelpingJackkeepBuninorder;forthatindomitableanimalgotoutofeveryprisontheyputhimin,andledJackadreadfullifeduringthatlastweek。Atallhoursofthedayandnightthatdistractedboywouldstartup,crying,"Thereheisagain！"anddartouttogivechaseandcapturethevillainnowgrowntoofattorunasheoncedid。
　　TheverynightbeforetheFair,Frankwaswakenedbyachillydraught,and,gettinguptoseewhereitcamefrom,foundJack'sdooropenandbedempty,whilethevisionofawhiteghostflittingaboutthegardensuggestedamidnightrushafteroldBun。Frankwatchedlaughingly,tillpoorJackcametowardthehousewiththegentlemaningraykickinglustilyinhisarms,andthenwhisperedinasepulchraltone,"Puthimintheoldrefrigerator,hecan'tgetoutofthat,"
　　Blessinghimforthesuggestion,theexhaustedhuntershutuphisvictiminthenewcell,andfounditasafeone,forBuncouldnotburrowthroughasheetofzinc,orclimbupthesmoothwalls。Jill'squiltwasaveryelaboratepieceofwork,beingbrightbluewithlittlewhitestarsalloverit;thisshefinishednicely,andfeltsurenopatientoldladycouldoutdoit。Merrydecidedtosendbutter,forshehadbeenhelpinghermotherinthedairythatsummer,andratherlikedthelightpartofthelabor。SheknewitwouldpleaseherverymuchifshechosethatinsteadofwildBowers,soshepractisedmouldingtheyellowpatsintoprettyshapes,thatitmightpleasebotheyeandtaste。
　　Mollydeclaredshewouldhavealittlepen,andputBooinit,astheprizefatboy——athreatwhichsoalarmedtheinnocentthatheranaway,aniwas~ouncltwoorthreemilespromborne,asleepunderthewall,withtwoseed—cakesandapairofsocksdoneupinabundle。Beingwithdifficultyconvincedthatitwasajoke,heconsentedtoreturntohisfamily,butwasevidentlysuspicious,tillMollydecidedtosendhercats,andsetaboutpreparingthemforexhibition。TheMinots'desertedBunny—housewasratherlarge;butascatscannotbepackedascloselyasmuch—enduringsheep,Mollyborrowedthisdesirablefamilymansion,andputherdarlingsintoit,wheretheysoonsettleddown,andappearedtoenjoytheirnewresidence。Ithadbeenscrubbedupandpaintedred,cushionsandplatesputin,andtwoAmericanflagsadornedtheroof。Beingbarredallround,afineviewoftheHappyFamilycouldbehad,nowtwelveinnumber,asMolasseshadlatelyaddedthreewhitekitstothevariedcollection。
　　Thegirlsthoughtthiswouldbethemostinterestingspectacleofall,andGrifproposedtogivesomeofthecatsextratails,toincreasetheircharms,especiallypoorMortification,whowouldappreciatethehonoroftwo,afterhavingnoneforsolong。ButMollydeclined,andGriflookedabouthimforsomeattractiveanimaltoexhibit,sothathetoomightgoinfreeandcometohonor,perhaps。
　　Ayoungladyinthetownownedadonkey,asmall,graybeast,whoinsistedontrippingalongthesidewalksandbumpingherrideragainstthewallsasshepausedtobrowseatherownsweetwill,regardlessofblowsorcries,tillreadytomoveon。Expressinggreatadmirationforthisrareanimal,GrifobtainedleavetodisplaythecharmsofGraciosaattheFair。Littledidsheguessthedarkdesignsentertainedagainstherdignity,andhappilyshewasnotassensitivetoridiculeasalesshumble—mindedanimal,soshewentwillinglywithhernewfriend,andenjoyedthecombingandtrimmingupwhichshereceivedathishands,whilehepreparedforthegreatoccasion。
　　WhenthemorningofSeptember28tharrived,thetownwasallastir,andtheFairgroundalivelyscene。Theairwasfullofthelowingofcattle,thetrampofhorses,squealingofindignantpigs,andclatteroftongues,aspeopleandanimalsstreamedinatthegreatgateandfoundtheirproperplaces。Ouryoungfolkswereinahighstateofexcitement,astheyrumbledawaywiththeirtreasuresinahay—cart。TheBunny—housemighthavebeenacageoftigers,sorampantwerethecatsatthisnewmove。OldBun,inasmallbox,broodedovertheinsultoftherefrigerator,andlookedasfierceasarabbitcould。Gushadacoopofrarefowls,whocluckedwildlyalltheway,whileRalph,withthebustinhisarms,stoodupinfront,andJillandMollyborethepreciousbedquilt,astheysatbehind。
　　Theseobjectsofinterestweresoonarranged,andthegirlswenttoadmireMerry'sgoldenbuttercupsamongthegreenleaves,underwhichlaytheicethatkepttheprettyflowersfresh。Theboysweredownbelow,wherethecacklingwasveryloud,butnotloudenoughtodrownthesonorousbraywhichsuddenlystartledthemasmuchasitdidthehorsesoutside。Ashoutoflaughterfollowed,andawaywentthelads,toseewhatthefunwas,whilethegirlsranoutonthebalcony,assomeonesaid,"It'sthatrogueofaGrifwithsomenewjoke。"
　　Itcertainlywas,and,tojudgefromthepealsofmerriment,thejokewasagoodone。Inatthegatecameatwo—headeddonkey,riddenbyGrif,ingreatspiritsathissuccess,forthegate—keeperlaughedsoheneverthoughttoaskfortoll。Atrainofboysfollowedhimacrosstheground,lostinadmirationoftheanimalandtheclevernessofherrider。AmongthestagepropertiesoftheDramaticClubwastheoldass'sheadonceusedinsometableauxfrom"MidsummerNight'sDream。"ThisGrifhadmendedup,andfastenedbymeansofstrapsandacollartopoorGraciosa'sneck,hiding~workwitharedclothoverherback。Oneeyewasgone,buttheotherstillopenedandshut,andthelongearswaggedbymeansofstrings,whichheslylymanagedwiththebridle,sotheartificialheadlookedalmostasnaturalastherealone。ThefunniestthingofallwastheinnocentairofGraciosa,andthemildlyinquiringexpressionwithwhichshenowandthenturnedtolookatortosmellofthenewornamentasifsherecognizedafriend'sface,yetwasperplexedbyitswantofanimation。Sheventedherfeelingsinabray,whichGrifimitated,convulsingallhearersbythesoundaswellasbythewinktheoneeyegave,andthedrollwaggleofoneerectear,whiletheotherpointedstraightforward。
　　Thegirlslaughedsoattheridiculoussightthattheynearlyfellovertherailing,andtheboyswereinecstasies,especiallywhenGrif,emboldenedbyhissuccess,trottedbrisklyroundtherace—course,followedbythecheersofthecrowd。Excitedbythenoise,Graciosadidherbest,tillthefalsehead,loosenedbytherapidmotion,slippedroundunderhernose,causinghertostopsosuddenlythatGrifflewoff,alightingonhisownheadwithaviolencewhichwouldhavekilledanyotherboy。Soberedbyhisdownfall,hedeclinedtomountagain,butledhissteedtoreposeinashed,whileherejoinedhisfriends,whowerewaitingimpatientlytocongratulatehimonhislatestandbestprank。
　　TheCommitteewenttheirroundssoonafter,and,whenthedoorswereagainopened,everyonehurriedtoseeiftheirarticleshadreceivedapremium。Acardlayonthebuttercups,andMrs。Grantwasfullofpridebecauseherbutteralwaystookaprize,andthisprovedthatMerrywaswalkinginhermother'ssteps,inthisdirectionatleast。Anothercardswungfromthebluequilt,forthekindlyjudgesknewwhomadeit,andweregladtopleasethelittlegirl,thoughseveralothersascuriousbutnotsoprettyhungnearby。Thecatswereadmired,but,astheywerenotamongtheanimalsusuallyexhibited,therewasnoprizeawarded。Gushopedhishenswouldgetone;hutsomebodyelseoutdidhim,tothegreatindignationofLauraandLotty,whohadfedthewhitebiddiesfaithfullyformonths。Jackwassurehisrabbitwasthebiggestthere,andwenteagerlytolookforhispremium。ButneithercardnorBunweretobeseen,fortheoldrascalhadescapedforthelasttime,andwasneverseenagain;whichwasagreatcomforttoJack,whowasheartilytiredofhim。
　　Ralph'sbustwasthebestofall,fornotonlydiditgetaprize,andwasmuchadmired,butalady,whofoundJillandMerryrejoicingoverit,wassopleasedwiththetruthandgraceofthelittlehead,thatsheaskedabouttheartist,andwhetherhewoulddooneofherownchild,whowassodelicateshefearedhemightnotlivelong。
　　Merrygladlytoldthestoryofherambitiousfriend,andwenttofindhim,thathemightsecuretheorder。Whileshewasgone,Jilltookupthetale,gratefullytellinghowkindhehadbeentoher,howpatientlyheworkedandwaited,andhowmuchhelongedtogoabroad。Fortunatelytheladywasrichandgenerous,aswellasfondofart,andbeingpleasedwiththebust,andinterestedintheyoungsculptor,gavehimtheorderwher~hecame,andfilledhissoulwithjoybyadding,that,ifitsuitedherwhendone,itshouldbeputintomarble。Shelivedinthecity,andRalphsoonarrangedhisworksothathecouldgiveuphisnoonhour,andgotomodelthechild;foreverypennyhecouldearnorsavenowwasveryprecious,ashestillhopedtogoabroad。
　　Thegirlsweresodelightedwiththisgoodfortune,thattheydidnotstayfortheraces,butwenthometotellthehappynews,leavingtheboystocareforthecats,andenjoythevariousmatchestocomeoffthatday。
　　"I'msogladItriedtolookpleasantwhenIwaslyingontheboardwhileRalphdidmyhead,forthepleasantnessgotintotheclayface,andthatmadetheladylikeit,"saidJill,asshelayrestingonthesofa。
　　"Ialwaysthoughtitwasadear,brightlittleface,butnowIloveandadmireitmorethanever,"criedMerry,kissingitgratefully,assherememberedthehelpandpleasureithadgivenRalph。
　　Chapter24DowntheRiverAfortnightlater,theboyswerepickingapplesonegoldenOctoberafternoon,andthegirlswerehurryingtofinishtheirwork,thattheymightgoandhelptheharvesters。ItwassixweeksnowSincethenewschoolbegan,andtheyhadlearnedtolikeitverymuch,thoughtheyfoundthatitwasnotallplay,byanymeans。Butlessons,exercise,andvarioussortsofhouseworkmadeanagreeablechange,andtheyfeltthattheywerelearningthingswhichwouldbeusefultothemalltheirlives。Theyhadbeenmakingunderclothesforthemselves,andeachhadseveralneatlyfinishedgarmentscut,fitted,andsewedbyherself,andtrimmedwiththeprettytattingJillmadeinsuchquantitieswhileshelayonhersofa。
　　Nowtheywerecompletingnewdressingsacks,andhadenjoyedthisjobverymuch,aseachchoseherownmaterial,andsuitedherowntasteinthemaking。Jill'swaswhite,withtinyscarletleavesalloverit,trimmedwithredbraidandbuttonssolikecheckerberriesshewastemptedtoeatthem。Molly'swasgay,withbouquetsofeverysortofflower,scallopedallround,andadornedwithsixbuttons,eachofadifferentcolor,whichshethoughtthelasttouchofelegance。Merry's,thoughthesimplest,wasthedaintiestofthethree,beingpaleblue,trimmedwithdelicateedging,andbeautifullymade。
　　Mrs。MinothadbeenreadingfromMissStrickland's"QueensofEngland"whilethegirlsworked,andanillustratedSliakspearelayopenonthetable,aswellasseveralfinephotographsofhistoricalplacesforthemtolookatastheywentalong。Thehourwasovernow,theteachergone,andthepupilssettingthelaststitchesastheytalkedoverthelesson,whichhadinterestedthemexceedingly。
　　"IreallybelieveIhavegotHenry'ssixwivesintomyheadrightatlast。TwoAnnes,threeKatherines,andoneJane。NowI'veseenwheretheylivedandheardtheirstories,IquitefeelasifIknewthem,"saidMerry,shakingthethreadsoffherworkbeforeshefoldedituptocarryhome。
　　"KingHenrytheEighthtosixspouseswaswedded,Onedied,onesurvived,twodivorced,twobeheaded,'
　　wasallIknewaboutthembefore。Poorthings,whatabadtimetheydidhave,"addedJill,pattingdowntheredbraid,whichwouldpuckerabitatthecorners。
　　"KatherineParrhadthebestofit,becausesheoutlivedtheoldtyrantandsokeptherheadon,"saidMolly,windingthethreadroundherlastbutton,asifboundtofastenitonsofirmlythatnothingshoulddecapitatethat。
　　"IusedtothinkI'dliketobeaqueenoragreatlady,andwearvelvetandjewels,andliveinapalace,butnowIdon'tcaremuchforthatsortofsplendor。Iliketomakethingsprettyathome,andknowthattheyalldependonme,andlovemeverymuch。Queensarcnothappy,andIam,"saidMerry,pausingtolookatAnneHathaway'scottageassheputupthepicture,andtowonderifitwasverypleasanttohaveafamousmanforone'shusband。
　　"Iguessyourmissionaryinghasdoneyougood;minehas,andI'mgettingtohavethingsmyownwaymoreandmoreeveryday。MissBatissoamiable,Ihardlyknowher,andfathertellshertoaskMissMollywhenshegoestohimfororders。Isn'tthatfun？"
　　laughedMolly,inhighglee,attheagreeablechange。"Ilikeiteversomuch,butIdon'twanttostaysoallmydays。Imeantotravel,andjustassoonasIcanIshalltakeBooandgoallroundtheworld,andseeeverything,"sheadded,wavinghergaysack,asifitweretheflagshewasabouttonailtothemastheadofhership。
　　"Well,Ishouldliketobefamousinsomeway,andhavepeopleadmiremeverymuch。I'dliketoact,ordance,orsing,orbewhatI
　　heardtheladiesatPebblyBeachcalla'queenofsociety。'ButI
　　don'texpecttobeanything,andI'mnotgoingtoworryIshallnotbeaLucinda,soIoughttobecontentedandhappyallmylife,"
　　saidJill,whowasveryambitiousinspiteofthenewlyacquiredmeekness,whichwasallthemorebecomingbecausehernaturallivelinessoftenbrokeoutlikesunshinethroughaveiloflightclouds。
　　Ifthethreegirlscouldhavelookedforwardtenyearstheywouldhavebeensurprisedtoseehowdifferentafatewastheirsfromtheoneeachhadchosen,andhowhappyeachwasintheplaceshewascalledtofill。Merrywasnotmakingtheoldfarmhousepretty,butlivinginItaly,withayoungsculptorforherhusband,andbeautysuchassheneverdreamedofallabouther。Mollywasnottravellingroundtheworld,butcontentedlykeepinghouseforherfatherandstillwatchingoverBoo,whowasbecomingherprideandjoyaswellascare。NeitherwasJillafamouswoman,butaveryhappyandusefulone,withthetwomothersleaningonherastheygrewold,theyoungmenbetterforherinfluenceoverthem,manyfriendstoloveandhonorher,andacharminghome,whereshewasqueenbyrightofhercheeryspirit,gratefulheart,andunfailingdevotiontothosewhohadmadeherwhatshewas。
　　Ifanycuriousreader,notcontentwiththispeepintofuturity,asks,"DidMollyandJillevermarry？"wemustreply,forthesakeofpeace——Mollyremainedamerryspinsterallherdays,oneoftheindependent,brave,andbusycreaturesofwhomthereissuchneedintheworldtohelptakecareofotherpeoples'wivesandchildren,anddothemanyusefuljobsthatthemarriedfolkhavenotimefor。
　　Jillcertainlydidwearawhiteveilonthedayshewastwenty—fiveandcalledherhusbandJack。Furtherthanthatwecannotgo,excepttosaythatthisleapdidnotendinacatastrophe,likethefirstonetheytooktogether。
　　Thatday,however,theyneverdreamedofwhatwasinstoreforthem,butchatteredawayastheycleareduptheroom,andthenranoffreadyforplay,feelingthattheyhadearneditbyworkwelldone。Theyfoundtheladsjustfinishing,withBootohelpbypickingupthewindfallsforthecider—heap,afterhehadamusedhimselfbyputtingaboutabusheldownthevariousholesoldBunhadleftbehindhim。Jackwasriskinghisneckclimbinginthemostdangerousplaces,whileFrank,withalong—handledapple—picker,nippedoffthefinestfruitwithcare,bothenjoyingthepleasanttaskandfeelingproudofthehandsomeredandyellowpilesallaboutthelittleorchard。MerryandMollycaughtupbasketsandfelltoworkwithalltheirmight,leavingJilltosituponastoolandsorttheearlyapplesreadytouseatonce,lookingupnowandthentonodandsmileathermotherwhowatchedherfromthewindow,rejoicingtoseeherlasssowellandhappy。
　　Itwassuchalovelyday,theyallfeltitscheerfulinfluence;forthesunshonebrightandwarm,theairwasfullofaninvigoratingfreshnesswhichsoonmadethegirls'faceslooklikerosyapples,andtheirspiritsasgayasiftheyhadbeenstealingsipsofnewciderthroughastraw。Jackwhistledlikeablackbirdasheswungandbumpedabout,Frankoratedandjoked,MerryandMollyranracestoseewhowouldfillandemptyfastest,andJillsungtoBoo,whoreposedinabarrel,exhaustedwithhislabors。
　　"Thesearethelastofthepleasantdays,andweoughttomakethemostofthem。Let'shaveonemorepicnicbeforethefrostspoilstheleaves,"saidMerry,restingaminuteatthegatetolookdownthestreet,whichwasaglorifiedsortofavenue,withbrilliantmaplesliningthewayandcarpetingthegroundwithcrimsonandgold。
　　"Oh,yes！GodowntheriveroncemoreandhavesupperontheIsland。Icouldn'tgotosomeofyourpicnics,andIdolongforalastgoodtimebeforewintershutsmeupagain,"criedJill,eagertoharvestallthesunshineshecould,forshewasnotyetquiteheroldselfagain。
　　"I'myourman,iftheotherfellowsagree。Wecan'tbarreltheseupforawhile,soto—morrowwillbeaholidayforus。Bettermakesureofthedaywhileyoucan,thisweathercan'tlastlong";andFrankshookhisheadlikeoneonintimatetermswithOldProb。
　　"Don'tworryaboutthosehighones,Jack。Giveashakeandcomedownandplanabouttheparty,"calledMolly,throwingupabigBaldwinwithwhatseemedaremarkablygoodaim,forashowerofapplesfollowed,andaboycametumblingearthwardtocatchonthelowestboughandswingdownlikeacaterpillar,exclaiming,ashelanded,"I'mgladthatjobisdone！I'veraspedeveryknuckleI'vegotandwornoutthekneesofmypants。Nicelittlecropthough,isn'tit？"
　　"Itwillbenicerifthisyoungmandoesnotbiteeveryapplehetouches。Hithere！Stopit,Boo,"commandedFrank,ashecaughthisyoungassistantputtinghissmallteethintothebestones,toseeiftheyweresweetorsour。
　　Mollysetthebarreluponend,andthattooktheboyoutofthereachofmischief,soheretiredfromviewandpeepedthroughacrackasheatehisfifthpearmain,regardlessofconsequences。
　　"Guswillbeathometo—morrow。HealwayscomesupearlyonSaturday,youknow。Wecan'tgetonwithouthim,"saidFrank,whomissedhismateverymuch,forGushadenteredcollege,andsofardidnotlikeitasmuchashehadexpected。
　　"OrRalph;heisverybusyeveryspareminuteonthelittleboy'sbust,whichisgettingonnicely,hesays;buthewillbeabletocomehomeintimeforsupper,Ithink,"addedMerry,rememberingtheabsent,asusual。
　　"I'llaskthegirlsonmywayhome,andallmeetattwoo'clockforagoodrowwhileit'swarm。WhatshallIbring？"askedMolly,wonderingifMissBat'samiabilitywouldextendtomakinggoodiesinthemidstofherusualSaturday'sbaking。
　　"Youbringcoffeeandthebigpotandsomebutteredcrackers。I'llseetothepieandcake,andtheothergirlscanhaveanythingelsetheylike,"answeredMerry,gladandproudthatshecouldprovidethepartywithherowninvitinghandiwork。
　　"I'lltakemyzither,sowecanhavemusicaswesail,andGrifwillbringhisviolin,andRalphcanimitateabanjosothatyou'dbesurehehadone。Idohopeitwillbefine,itissosplendidtogoroundlikeotherfolksandenjoymyself,"criedJill,withalittlebounceofsatisfactionattheprospectofarowandramble。
　　"Comealong,then,andmakesureofthegirls,"saidMerry,catchingupherrollofwork,fortheharvestingwasdone。
　　Mollyputhersackonastheeasiestwayofcarryingit,and,extricatingBoo,theywentoff,accompaniedbytheboys,"tomakesureofthefellows"also,leavingJilltositamongtheapples,singingandsortinglikeathriftylittlehousewife。
　　Nextdayelevenyoungpeoplemetattheappointedplace,basketinhand。Ralphcouldnotcometilllater,forhewasworkingnowasheneverworkedbefore。Theywereamerryflock,forthemellowautumndaywasevenbrighterandclearerthanyesterday,andtheriverlookeditsloveliest,windingawayunderthesombrehemlocks,orthroughthefairylandthegaywoodsmadeoneitherside。Twolargeboatsandtwosmallonesheldthemall,andawaytheywent,firstupthroughthethreebridgesandroundthebend,then,turning,theyfloateddowntothegreenisland,whereagroveofoaksrustledtheirsereleavesandthesquirrelswerestillgatheringacorns。Heretheyoftenmettokeeptheirsummerrevels,andheretheynowspreadtheirfeastontheflatrockwhichneedednoclothbesideitsowngraylichens。Thegirlstrimmedeachdishwithbrightleaves,andmadethesupperlooklikeabanquetfortheelves,whiletheboysbuiltafireinthenookwhereashesandblackenedstonestoldofmanyarusticmeal。Thebigtincoffee—potwasnotsoromantic,butmoresuccessfulthanakettleslungonthreesticks,gypsyfashion;sotheydidnotriskadownfall,butsetthewaterboiling,andsoonfilledtheairwiththeagreeableperfumeassociatedintheirmindswithpicnics,asmostofthemnevertastedthefascinatingstuffatanyothertime,beingtheworstchildrencandrink。
　　Frankwascook,Gushelpedcutbreadandcake,JackandGrifbroughtwood,whileBobWalkertookJoe'splaceandmadehimselfgenerallyuseful,astheothergentlemanneverdid,andsowasquiteoutoffavorlately。
　　Allwasreadyatlast,andtheywerejustdecidingtositdownwithoutRalph,whenashouttoldthemhewascoming,anddowntheriverskimmedawherryatsucharatetheboyswonderedwhomhehadbeenracingwith。
　　"Somethinghashappened,andheiscomingtotellus,"saidJill,whosatwhereshecouldseehiseagerface。
　　"Nothingbad,orhewouldn'tsmileso。Heisgladofagoodrowandalittlefunafterworkingsohardalltheweek";andMerryshookarednapkinasawelcomingsignal。
　　Somethingcertainlyhadhappened,andaveryhappysomethingitmustbe,theyallthought,asRalphcameonwithflashingoars,andleapingoutastheboattouchedtheshore,ranuptheslope,wavinghishat,andcallinginagladvoice,sureofsympathyinhisdelight,"Goodnews！goodnews！HurrahforRome,nextmonth！"
　　Theyoungfolksforgottheirsupperforamoment,tocongratulatehimonhishappyprospect,andhearallaboutit,whiletheleavesrustledasifechoingthekindwords,andthesquirrelssatupaloft,wonderingwhatallthepleasantclamorwasabout。
　　Yes,I'mreallygoinginNovember。Germanaskedmetogowithhimto—day,andifthereisanylittlehitchinmygettingoff,he'lllendahand,andI——I'llblackhisboots,wethisclay,andrunhiserrandstherestofmylifetopayforthis！"criedRalph,inaburstofgratitude;for,independentashewas,thekindnessofthissuccessfulfriendtoadeservingcomradetouchedandwonhisheart。
　　"Icallthatahandsomethingtodo！"saidFrank,warmly,fornobleactionsalwayspleasedhim。"Iheardmymothersaythatmakinggoodorusefulmenwasthebestsortofsculpture,soIthinkDavidGermanmaybeproudofthispieceofwork,whetherthebigstatuesucceedsornot。"
　　"I'mveryglad,oldfellow,WhenIrunoverformytripfouryearsfromnow,I'lllookyouup,andseehowyouaregettingon,"saidGus,withaheartyshakeofthehand;andtheyoungerladsgrinnedcheerfully,evenwhiletheywonderedwherethefunwasinshapingclayandchippingmarble。
　　"Shallyoustayfouryears？"askedMerry'ssoftvoice,whileawistfullookcameintoherhappyeyes。
　　"Ten,ifIcan,"answeredRalph,decidedly,feelingasifalonglifetimewouldbealltooshortfortheimmortalworkhemeanttodo。"I'vegotsomuchtolearn,thatIshalldowhateverDavidthinksbestformeatfirst,andwhenIcangoalone,Ishalljustshutmyselfupandforgetthatthereisanyworldoutsidemyden。"
　　"Dowriteandtellushowyougetonnowandthen;Iliketohearaboutotherpeople'sgoodtimeswhileI'mwaitingformyown,"
　　saidMolly,toomuchinterestedtoobservethatGrifwasstickingburrsupanddownherbraids。
　　"OfcourseIshallwritetosomeofyou,butyoumustn'texpectanygreatthingsforyearsyet。Peopledon'tgrowfamousinahurry,andittakesadealofhardworkeventoearnyourbreadandbutter,asyou'llfindifyouevertryit,"answeredRalph,soberingdownalittleasherememberedthelongandsteadyeffortithadtakentogetevensofar。
　　"Speakingofbreadandbutterremindsmethatwe'dbettereatoursbeforethecoffeegetsquitecold,"saidAnnette,forMerryseemedtohaveforgottenthatshehadbeenchosentoplaymatron,asshewastheoldest。
　　Theboyssecondedthemotion,andforafewminutessupperwastheall—absorbingtopic,asthecupswentroundandthegoodiesvanishedrapidly,accompaniedbytheusualmishapswhichmakepicnicmealssuchfun。Ralph'shealthwasdrunkwithallsortsofgoodwishes;andsuchsplendidpropheciesweremade,thathewouldhavefarsurpassedMichaelAngelo,iftheycouldhavecometrue。Grifgavehimanorderonthespotforafull—lengthstatueofhimself,andstooduptoshowtheimposingattitudeinwhichhewishedtobetaken,butunfortunatelyslippedandfellforwardwithonehandinthecustardpie,theotherclutchingwildlyatthecoffee—pot,whichinhospitablyburnthisfingers。
　　"IthinkIgrasptheidea,andwillbesuretoremembernottomakeyourhairblowonewayandthetailsofyourcoatanother,asacertainsculptormadethoseofafamousman,"laughedRalph,asthefallenheroscrambledup,amidstgeneralmerriment。
　　"Willthelittlebustbedonebeforeyougo？"askedJill,anxiously,feelingapersonalinterestinthesuccessofthatorder。
　　"Yes:I'vebeenhardatiteveryspareminuteIcouldget,andhaveafortnightmore。ItsuitsMrs。Lennox,andshewillpaywellforit,soIshallhavesomethingtostartwith,thoughIhaven'tbeenabletosavemuch。I'mtothankyouforthat,andIshallsendyouthefirstprettythingIgetholdof,"answeredRalph,lookinggratefullyatthebrightface,whichgrewstillbrighterasJillexclaimed,"Idofeelsoproudtoknowarealartist,andhavemybustdonebyhim。IonlywishIcouldpayforitasMrs。Lennoxdoes;butI
　　haven'tanymoney,andyoudon'tneedthesortofthingsIcanmake,"sheadded,shakingherhead,asshethoughtoverknitslippers,wall—pockets,andcrochetinallitsforms,asofferingstoherdepartingfriend。
　　"Youcanwriteoften,andtellmeallabouteverybody,forIshallwanttoknow,andpeoplewillsoonforgetmewhenI'mgone,"
　　saidRalph,lookir~gatMerry,whowasmakingagarlandofyellowleavesforJuliet'sblackhair。
　　Jillpromised,andkeptherword;butthelongestletterswentfromthefarm—houseonthehill,thoughnooneknewthefacttilllongafterward。Merrysaidnothingnow,butshesmiled,withaprettycolorinhercheeks,andwasverymuchabsorbedinherwork,whilethetalkwenton。
　　"IwishIwastwenty,andgoingtoseekmyfortune,asyouare,"saidJack;andtheotherboysagreedwithhim,forsomethinginRalph'snewplansandpurposesrousedthemanlyspiritinallofthem,remindingthemthatplaytimewouldsoonbeover,andthegreatworldbeforethem,wheretochoose。
　　"Itiseasyenoughtosaywhatyou'dlike;butthetroubleis,youhavetotakewhatyoucanget,andmakethebestofit,"saidGus,whoseownviewswererathervagueasyet。
　　"Noyoudon't,always;youcanmakethingsgoasyouwantthem,ifyouonlytryhardenough,andwalkrightoverwhateverstandsintheway。Idon'tmeantogiveupmyplansforanyman;but,ifI
　　live,I'llcarrythemout——youseeifIdon't";andFrankgavetherockwherehelayablowwithhisfist,thatsenttheacornsflyingallabout。
　　OneofthemhitJack,andhesaid,sorrowfully,ashehelditinhishandsocarefullyitwasevidenthehadsomeassociationwithit,"Edusedtosaythat,andhehadsomesplendidplans,buttheydidn'tcometoanything。"
　　"Perhapstheydid;whocantell？Doyourbestwhileyoulive,andI
　　don'tbelieveanythinggoodislost,whetherwehaveitalongorashorttime,"saidRalph,whoknewwhatahelpandcomforthighhopeswere,andhowtheyledtobetterthings,ifworthilycherished。
　　"Agreatmanyacornsarewasted,Isuppose;butsomeofthemsproutandgrow,andmakesplendidtrees,"addedMerry,feelingmorethansheknewhowtoexpress,asshelookedupattheoaksoverhead。
　　Onlysevenofthepartyweresittingontheknollnow,fortheresthadgonetowashthedishesandpackthebasketsdownbytheboats。JackandJill,withthethreeelderboys,wereinalittlegroup,andasMerryspoke,GussaidtoFrank,"Didyouplantyours？"
　　"Yes,onthelawn,andImeanitshallcomeupifIcanmakeit,"
　　answeredFrank,gravely。
　　"IputminewhereIcanseeitfromthewindow,andnotforgettowaterandtakecareofit,"addedJack,stillturningtheprettybrownacorntoandfroasifhelovedit。
　　"Whatdotheymean？"whisperedMerrytoJill,whowasleaningagainstherkneeLorest。
　　"TheboyswerewalkingintheCemeterylastSunday,astheyoftendo,andwhentheycametoEd'sgrave,theplacewasallcoveredwithlittleacornsfromthetreethatgrowsonthebank。Theyeachtookupsomeastheystoodtalking,andJacksaidheshouldplanthis,forhelovedEdverymuch,youknow。Theotherssaidtheywould,too;andIhopethetreeswillgrow,thoughwedon'tneedanythingtorememberhimby,"answeredJill,inalowtone,thinkingofthepressedflowersthegirlskeptforhissake。
　　Theboysheardher,butnoonespokeforamomentastheysatlookingacrosstherivertowardthehillwherethepineswhisperedtheirlullabiesandpointedheavenward,steadfastandgreen,alltheyearround。NoneofthemcouldexpressthethoughtthatwasintheirmindsasJilltoldthelittlestory;buttheactandthefeelingthatprompteditwereperhapsasbeautifulanassuranceascouldhavebeengiventhatthedeardeadboy'sexamplehadnotbeenwasted,fortheplantingoftheacornswasasymbolofthedesirebuddinginthoseyoungheartstobewhathemighthavebeen,andtomaketheirlivesnoblerfortheknowledgeandtheloveofhim。
　　"Itseemsasifagreatdealhadhappenedthisyear,"saidMerry,inapensivetone,forthisquiettalkjustsuitedhermood。
　　"SoIsay,forthere'sbeenaDeclarationofIndependenceandaRevolutioninourhouse,andI'mcommander—in—chiefnow;anddon'tIlikeit！"criedMolly,complacentlysurveyingtheneatnewuniformsheworeofherownchoosing。
　　"IfeelasifIneverlearnedsomuchinmylifeasIhavesincelastDecember,andyetIneverdidsolittle,"addedJill,wonderingwhythemonthsofwearinessandpaindidnotseemmoredreadfultoher。
　　'Well,pitchingonmyheadseemstohavegivenmeagoodshakingup,somehow,andImeantodogreatthingsnextyearinbetterwaysthanbreakingmybonescoasting,"saidJack,withamanlyair。
　　"IfeellikeaSiamesetwinwithouthismatenowyouaregone,butI'munderordersforawhile,andmeantodomybest。Guessitwon'tbelosttime";andFranknoddedatGus,whonoddedbackwiththeslightlysuperiorexpressionallFreshmenwear。
　　"Hopeyouwon'tfinditso。Myworkisallcutoutforme,andI
　　intendtogoinandwin,thoughitismoreofagrindthanyoufellowsknow。"
　　"I'msureIhaveeverythingtobegratefulfor。Itwon'tbeplainsailing——Idon'texpectit;but,ifIlive,I'lldosomethingtobeproudof,"saidRalph,squaringhisshouldersasiftomeetandconquerallobstaclesashelookedintotheglowingwest,wasnotfairerthanhisambitiousdreams。
　　Herewewillsaygood—bytothesegirlsandboysofoursastheysittogetherinthesunshinetalkingoverayearthatwastobeforevermemorabletothem,notbecauseofanyveryremarkableevents,butbecausetheywerejustbeginningtolookaboutthemastheysteppedoutofchildhoodintoyouth,andsomeoftheexperiencesofthepastmonthshadsetthemtothinking,taughtthemtoseetheuseandbeautyofthesmallduties,joys,andsorrowswhichmakeupourlives,andinspiredthemtoresolvethatthecomingyearshouldbebraverandbrighterthanthelast。
　　Therearemanysuchboysandgirls,fullofhighhopes,lovelypossibilities,andearnestplans,pausingamomentbeforetheypushtheirlittleboatsfromthesafeshore。Letthosewholaunchthemseetoitthattheyhavegoodhealthtomantheoars,goodeducationforballast,andgoodprinciplesaspilotstoguidethemastheyvoyagedownanever—wideningrivertothesea。