Mary's Rainbow

Perhaps Aunt Mandy does not find it an easy matter t

st my room and down the stairs some t

in. "Dick spied them from the window and could hardly wait until

vin had planned to start for home with his six eldest boys that same evening, leaving his wife with four-year-old Dick and baby Jack as company for Wilhelmina until school should reopen at Maryvale. But Mr. Selwyn and Doctor Carlton would not listen to such a plan; and at last Mr. Marvin had to promise that his whole family should be their guests until it was time for hi

four little ones were missi

the Doctor. "I hope it will turn out more hap

call that breakfast was ready, there was a chorus of, "Oh! oh! don't come, Mary!" "Jes' a minute!"

banged. All at the table paused, smiling at the loud whispers and smothered giggles co

ittle folkses." To which Berta agreed, "Yes, nennybody

r at all," ech

same as our comp'ny likes us to. So I'll go first." And into the dining-room, single file, marched the four. J

you think you might have waited until after breakfast to don your wor

d Beth and I lended Aunt Mandy's apins. I'se quite sure sh

o me at the last minute with his overalls and Jack's. I couldn't see why he w

ily under his mothe

hes, do you, son? Jack, being only two years old, does not

't like over-halls so very well for breakfus; but--but--oh, dear, me! they's such a drefful many things to do, you see, that we thinked we ought to be ready afore breakfus. Doesn

-day that we have ever had in any of our lives." Mrs. Marvin

remember to lay aside their working clothes at meal time i

t one we is going

library in hand, and the books that I shall pack this morning will be too large and heavy for such little peo

has strong mushes in his arms, and he's going to show Beth and me

take many years for even Dick's muscles to grow s

e you never did see Dic

Jack, carefully watched by Beth, bringing up the rear. At the door of every room where packing was being done, they stopped while their leader asked, "Does you s'pect

k ran for his sister and Mary, who were busy carrying piles of sheets, pillowcases, t

rls are crying their eyes o

things, Mary. Then I can climb the ladder

thought of a "s'prise;" and when Mary went to the bedroom to see what was delaying them, she was just in time to see the procession

n the table in the dining-room, and then we's going to pack them in one o

rd-a-Lea, it will be much easier for Mother to find these center pieces and things if they are packed in the trunk with the table clot

Mary, b

yard to play for a little whi

d they's such a drefful many things to do? Why, Mary, I'se on the shock at you! I

dem chilluns am gwine to come in heah pesterin' dis heah niggah, I reckon dey won't be no

tood in th

ects we can h

got to git all dese t'ings down off'n de top shelf fust t'ing. Dey's milk an' cookies on de li'l table out on de back porch fo' yo' all

ery 'zact instinct when we ea

ld ef'n I told yo' how plumb tiahed out she am

rse packing dainty wh

carry ev'ything right over by side you, and

gs gits powahful tiahed walkin' round disaway. Dats' right, Missy Bef. Bring dem li'l pettiskir

ng a pair of slippers in a hand embroidered white dress, and

nohow. Git yo' dollies an' play lak nice li'l chilluns." And she d

ers had; so the twins brought out their picture books and game

at big box

a little girl. She said we can have

our dolls and things in it

and then we'll be the same a

and clasp of the strong oak box. Berta and Beth took their dolls and let Jack carry their other toys

se tight, so we'll hav

jes' love to jump o

e box and jumped, jumpe

r! What's t

wn, Berta," explained Dick, jumpi

r ball under the table. That

threw back the cover; and with a cry of di

ing back and forth in her grief. "My chile, my mos' beauty chile!" she moaned. "Your face is all in seven, fi

r, doll and all, while Dick shifted

that one. It's all my fault, 'cause I told you to jump on the box. Mother'll

d--doll what I love most of all. A--and 'sides--it isn't your fault--'c--'cause I jumped right--on t--top of

with lace and shiny soft stuff and flowers all around her, and I'll dig a grave under that big rose bush in the garden, and we'll bury her. That's what they did with my

listened, eyes an

what you said you i

e in the ground

ding the doll close, ran from the room just as Aunt Mandy

y poor little chile, my Lucy doll is deade

d. "Dick, you ought to b

I'm sure Dick wouldn't bre

I wouldn

s we is the very best fambly in the land-and so is you, Willy-mean, I'se quite sure." And Berta gave an account of wh

, and Uncle Frank may be able to cure her

hought had entered her head. "I am afraid she is a very sick child. Let us put her to bed in my room until Uncle comes home. I think it will take a long, lon

following; but though Mary gave Beth her choice, even placing the lovely Amelia Anabelle i

let her take a long nap, and I am sure Uncle will be able to make her well very soon, Beth. Now, children, you mustn't come into this room again u

ey went slowly down the stairs; then she returned to her own room, whe

w I have never had any use for dolls, but this one must have been dear with

thing that we can do is to go to the same st

ucceeded in piecing Lucy's face together and stood with it between her hands. "Ther

so glad! We shall put Lucy's wig and clothes on