The Chronicles of Rhoda

, with the catechism open in her hand.

her lap into her eyes, over which she wore glass things like covers. "And ain't

mother answered, sober

a little girl in a most comfortable fashion. Her white hair rippled down low at the sides, concealing her ears, but her ears were there for I had run my fingers up to see. She wore a lovely lace collar, and a breastpin with a picture on it, and when she walked the charms on h

erson to have me always. The family handed me around very much like refreshments. Now I would be with mother, and now with father, and now with Aunti

into the house at night, and I would sit up for him, holding on tight

d give me anything, quite irrespective of goodness or badness, for when I was naughty he never appeared to think any the worse of me, although the rest of the family migh

way, and I only came home just no

n the road?" he asked,

of my love

ith a red pepper in her mouth," I answered, pe

clapping his hands like a boy. "Mot

he had a red pepper in hi

oing to do with them," my

, father?" I cr

can't

make pies out of them!

surprised. "I never thought of tha

techism at such an early age, and I could repeat some pretty hymns, too, which helped to comfort her. Always, no matter how extravagant

ed, in a severe voice. "You did not see an

at her wi

n old woman in a r

an at all. Child, you have not

red pepper in his mo

d not even

udden tears, for this was my last stronghold, and if the

head back as if he were displeased. "It was merely a story of adventu

and stole a cautious

Robert

y again harde

n his arms, and carried

e truth," he said, ruefully. "She hasn't

a beautiful blue plate with a blue bridge over a blue and white stream, I never imagined until after years that those tiny figures on the bridge were lovers running away from a cruel parent.

uld eat her dinner. It is simply preposterous that her temper shou

per," my mother replied, plaintively. "

was a large basket, a beautiful yellow one with a red handle, and when I began to play my things came out of it, and when I was through playing they went into the yellow basket again. I had a rag doll of a pleasing appearance, named Arabella, and a black woo

se quietly watching the fire on the hearth. There was a cheerful glitter from the brass andirons and fender, and on a shelf above a silver candle-stick with crystal pendants threw out rosy lights. I did not know any of these wonder

e to find myself lost. I was in a new bed. I was in grandmother's big bed, where there was a faint smell

one, somewhat like a grandmother, but more li

hining fender. It was gone! The fir

other," I sa

st stay with grandma," the dulcet voic

I cried, all the stern

y one as heretofore, but, lavishly, in dozens, into my hand. I felt a little more comfortable. The fender was a pretty thing to watch, but peppermint

heard her say, in the

t, as if she had forgotten how small garments were constructed, and how hard it was for arms to go into sleeves. I was preternat

yed to see me; but, although I searched in all the closets and behind the doors, there was no mother in any of the rooms. When no one was looking at me

id, decisively. "You are n

father and I were all that were left of the circle about the table, which was usually so

" I said, eagerly. "

ith rather an a

in a tender way, "did I ever

," I answer

time when it br

ly I was going to hear something of great im

babies and boy babies-on the shore of a lake where the sun shines day and night. She's a very good-natured bird, and sometimes when she hears of a father who's lonely because he hasn't any children, she'll put a little baby under her wing, an

pping my hands. "She put me under her

ugh; but in a moment he

into the garden where I was wa

my little Rhoda?' and

st

r again, father," I

on his face, and if I had been a little older and a little wiser, I woul

an uneasy tone. "More than she knows what to do wit

from him,

exclaimed, with a g

th?" he inquired, tenderly. "To sleep with yo

fat

es, you wou

creamed, breaking

ing manner, but in the midst of all my sorrow

ber

d before my eyes I s

were hidden from sight. My blue hood which hung in the hall, and was something quite new and precious, I put on my head, where it would be safest. Then half terrified, half defiant, I took up my position at the window to watch for the arrival of that other self whi

g unlimited cake, and apt to display a strong liking for myself, but then she had been only an outsider, while n

t there could be another Rhoda. She had never heard of any bird, but when I per

aid, consolingly. "No burrd in her sinses wo

inst the house, and pools of water stood under the trees. The raindrops on the window pane

thers all wet," I c

my kitchen fire!" Norah decl

ripes that seemed too pretty to walk on. Norah was very good to me. She had my high-chair ranged at the side of the hearth, and the cat, under compulsion, sat on my

n might fall, and the day might be very dark, but who was to know if that conscientious bird would not still fulfill her mission? Why, there were five children in the next house, and the bird must have brought th

rah would say, report

the door?" I a

her way into this house to-day," she answ

. For one moment I thought Norah heard the sound, too. She seemed to smile; but on the instant she broke into a queer, elfish song, and began to dance before the fire in an irresistible way that brough

an eager, excited manner. He came out into the kitchen where I and the

here is my little daughter? I'

ld fond way. He threw me upon his shoulder and started off; but even as we stepped i

said, generously. "I want you t

on the hearth, in front of which grandmother was sitting. She sat in a new majestic style, and on her lap there was something bundled up which she patted from time to time, and she trotted her f

her arms in the air. "Now the saint

dmother whispered, in rebuke, and

er exclaimed. "Let Rh

for a moment I felt sorry for myself. Those about me must have shared the feeling, for

n in the world," I he

h that smile of kinship in their depths! I forgot the bird, I forgot my jealousy. I was ready to give them anything, anything, even the woolly dog and the yellow basket with the red handle, for the simple honor of their acquaintanceship. They were so you

y, "you may have one, but the ot

. There on the pillow beside her pretty dark hair she made a place for me, where we could see each othe

wise, "mother's heart is a big, big place! There is room i

hat I wa