She cries
enough now without my telling her there's been a death in the
family. She set great store by the old toad, and so did all of
us."
"It's too bad; I'm sorry, but after all you couldn't help it."
"No, but we should always look round every-wheres when we're
cutting; that's what Ivory says. He says folks shouldn't use
edged tools till they're old enough not to fool with 'em."
And Rodman looked so wise and old-fashioned for his years that
Patty did not know whether to kiss him or cry over him, as she
said: "Ivory's always right, and now good-bye; I must go this
very minute. Don't forget the picnic."
"I won't!" cried the boy, gazing after her, wholly entranced with
her bright beauty and her kindness. "Say, I'll bring something,
too,--white-oak acorns, if you like 'em; I've got a big bagful up
attic!"
Patty sped down the long lane, crept under the bars, and flew
like a lapwing over the high-road.
"If father was only like any one else, things might be so
different!" she sighed, her thoughts running along with her feet.
"Nobody to make a home for that poor lonesome little boy and that
poor lonesome big Ivory. . . . I am sure that he is in love with
Waitstill. He doesn't know it; she doesn't know it; nobody does
but me, but I'm clever at guessing.
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