Journeys Through Bookland, Vol. 7

ver had a strong feeling, it was fondness for her boy. At last the sound came,-that quick light bowling of the gig wheels,-and in spite of the wind, which was blowing the clouds about, a

y! he's got never a collar on; it's been lost

then on the other; while Tom descended from the gig, and said, with mascu

ith light-brown hair, cheeks of cream and roses, full lips, indeterminate nose and eyebrows,-face in which it seems impossible to see anything but boyhood; as different as possible from poor Maggie's phiz, which Nature seemed to have moulded and colored with the most decided intention. But that same Nature has the deep cunning which hides itself under the appearance of openness, so that simple people think they can see t

ine his box, and the warm parlor had taken off the chill he had felt from the long drive, "you don't kno

or cobnuts?" Maggie's heart sank a little, because Tom always said

nd cobnuts are no fun, you silly, only when the nuts are green.

in a whisper. "I can see no

-a-new-gue

s, Tom," said Mag

you," said Tom, thrusting his hand bac

hat was held stiffly in the pocket. "I'm not cross, Tom; it w

ie, all to yourself. And here's hooks; see here-I say, won't we go and fish to-morrow down by the Round

ug him, and hold her cheek against his without speaking, whi

u a line all to yourself? You know, I ne

d put the line back in his pocket, and was lookin

me, because I wouldn't g

ldn't fight at your school

rge pocketknife, and slowly opening the largest blade, which he look

at he got by wanting to leather me; I wasn't go

ike Samson. If there came a lion roaring at m

t you, you silly thing? There'

rica, where it's very hot; the lions eat people the

ld get a gun

inking, just as we go fishing; and then a great lion might run toward

ntemptuously, saying, "But the lion is

be," said Maggie, following him, "

you're such a silly. I sh

m in trembling silence as he went out, thinking how she could tell him the news so as to soften at once his

y were out of doors, "how much mon

and a sixpence,"

than that in my steel purse upstai

y than you, because I'm a boy. I always have half-sovereigns and sovereigns for my Christmas box

rowns and a sixpence out of my purse to put into your pock

s? I don't w

om, they're

his color heightening for a moment, but soon subsiding. "I don't love you, Maggie. You shan't g

it, indeed, Tom. I'm so very sorry," sa

severely, "and I'm sorry I bought y

forgive you, if you forgot anything-I wouldn't

; but I never do for

" said Maggie, shaking with sobs, clinging to Tom

g in a peremptory tone, "Now, Maggie, you j

gie, her chin rising a

n to buy it, and saved my money o' purpose, and wouldn't go ha

I-lo-lo-love

x, and the holidays before that you let the boat drag my fish line down when I'd

," said Maggie; "I

hat you were doing. And you're a naughty girl,

on the floor and laid her head against the worm-eaten shelf, with a crushing sense of misery. Tom was come home, and she had thought how happy she should be; and now he was cruel to her. What use was anything if Tom didn't

E IS C

llow resonance that came through the long empty space of the attic. She never

trange, when hope has not yet got wings to fly beyond the days

as she crept behind the tub; but presently she began to cry again at the idea that they didn't mind her being there. If she went down again to Tom now-would he forgive her? Perhaps her father would be there, and he would take her part. But then she wanted Tom to forgive her because he loved her, not because his father told him. No, she would never go down if

l,-to think of Maggie and the effect his anger had produced on her. He meant to punish her, and that business having been performed, he occupied himself with other matters, like a practical person. But when he had been called

o "tell" of Maggie, though he was angry wi

l this while?" said the father. "She'd bee

two hours," says Tom, c

seat and running to the window. "How could you let her do so?" she added, as

" said Mr. Tulliver. "You've be

," said Tom indignantly. "I

lliver, "a-singing and talking to hersel

rly fondness for Maggie making him suspect that the lad had been hard upon "the little un," else s

intending to reprieve Maggie's punishment, which was no more than she deserved. Tom was only thirteen, and had no decided views in grammar and arithmetic, regarding them for the most part as open questions, but h

es and dishevelled hair to beg for pity. At least her father would stroke her head and say, "Never mind, my wench." It is a wonderful subduer, this need

he top of the stairs and said, "Maggie, you're to come down." But she rushed to him and clung around his neck, sobbing

te in our behavior to the mere impulsiveness of the lower animals, but conduct ourselves in every respect like members of a highly civilized society. Maggie and Tom were still very much like young animals, and so she could rub her cheek against his, and kiss his ear in a

Magsie; here, ea

n Tom bit a piece, just for company, and they ate together and rubbed each other's cheeks and b

said Tom at last, when there was no

hat worms couldn't feel (it was Tom's private opinion that it didn't much matter if they did). He knew all about worms, and fish, and those things; and what birds were mischievous, and how padlocks opened, and which way the handles of the gates were to be lifted. Maggie thought this sort of knowledge was very wonderful,-much more difficult than remembering what was in the books; and she was rather in awe of Tom's superiority, for he was

you got close to the brink. The sight of the old favorite spot always heightened Tom's good humor, and he spoke to Maggie in the most amicable whispers, as he opened the precious basket and prepared their tackle. He threw her line for her, and put the rod into her hand. Maggie thought it

ing wrong, as usual, but presently Tom drew out her

as ex

little duck! Em

silences, when she listened to the light dipping sounds of the rising fish, and the gentle rustling, as if the willows and the reeds and the water had their happy whispering also. M