Rainbow Valley, Part 3 of 15

Good evening. Thank you so much for being here. The sleepy bookshelf wouldn't be possible without your support. Help us keep the show going and enjoy all of our episodes and free by joining our premium feed. You'll also get exclusive bonus content. There's a link in the show notes if you'd like to learn more. Aisha owns a bistro. She loves it but the admin not so much. Luckily her Monzo Business Bank account takes some of the strain, like expensing, with real-time visibility and spend limits all managed in one app, so she's free to cook up a storm without having to make a meal of the admin. Make the switch and join over 800,000 other UK businesses already banking with us. Search Monzo Business today. Team plan starts from £25 a month. UK Soul Traders are limited company directors only. Teason sees apply. There's a world of opportunity out there, beyond the typical 9-5, where purpose and grit and the American spirit come together in the Peace Corps. It's been called the toughest job you'll ever love. Tough because it asks so much of you. And the love part? Knowing your hard work can transform lives and build bridges across cultures. After 65 years the Peace Corps is still the toughest job you'll ever love. Explore opportunities in more than 60 countries and apply at peacecore.gov forward slash serve. Hello, it's Elizabeth and I'm excited to share with you the newest show from Slumber Studios. It's called Sleepy History and it's exactly what it sounds like. In trekking stories, people, mysteries and events from history, delivered in a supremely calming atmosphere. Explore the legend of El Dorado. See what life was like for the Roman gladiators. Uncover the myths and mysteries of Stonehenge. You'll find interesting but relaxing episodes like these on Sleepy History and the same great production quality you've come to know and love from the Sleepy Bookshelf. So check it out and perhaps you'll have another way to get a good night's rest. Just search Sleepy History in your preferred podcast player. Good evening and welcome to the Sleepy Bookshelf where we put down our worries from the day and pick up a good bird. I'm your host, Elizabeth and it is lovely to be here with you this evening. Tonight we are continuing with Rainbow Valley but first let's take a moment to prepare for sleep. Focus on allowing every muscle in your face to relax. Start by releasing tension in your forehead. Let your eyebrows feel like they're sliding down the sides of your face. Let your lips relax and part naturally. Allow your tongue to fall from the roof of your mouth and finally, unclench your jaw. Drop your shoulders and let your arms fall beside you. Breathe in through your nose and exhale completely relaxing your chest. Now think about letting your legs of thighs and calves sink down with. Now stay still and calm while I recap our last episode. The Ingleside Children adored playing in the valley in the afternoons. Gem, the oldest, was setting a fire to cook up some trouts they had called. Gem was a boy of science and liked to discover the truth of things for himself. Like his father, he was sturdy and reliable. While Walter, the next oldest, didn't look like either his father or mother, but he had Anne spirit and was often teased at school for being too soft. Anne, nicknamed, Anne and Diana or Die were non-identical twin girls. Anne had not brown hair and eyes with a pretty complexion and a cheerful disposition. Die was very like Anne with red hair and grey green eyes and so happened to be her father's particular favourite. She was also very close to her brother Walter, who secrets she kept all to herself. The meridates or the man's children liked to play in the Methodist graveyard next to their house. Jerry was the eldest and he resembled his father in looks with black hair and eyes. Faith was very beautiful and always laughing with her golden brown curls. Thoughtful little uner wasn't the laughing type and had straight black braids and dark blue soulful eyes. Karl looked most like their mother. He had bright dark blue eyes and brown hair. He loved nature in all forms and could often be found with a critter in his pocket. They smelt the trout cooking and as their old aunt was a terrible cook, they ran to find its source, discovering both the fish and the blights. The Ingleside children invited the man's children to eat and before it was time to go, they had lent all about each other. Tonight the man's children go exploring. So just lie back and relax as I turn to the next pages of Rainbow Valley. Chapter 5 This is just the sort of day you feel as if things might happen. Then said Faith, responsive to the lore of crystal air and blue hills. She hugged herself with delight and danced a hornpipe on old Hezekiah Pollock's bench tombstone. Much to the horror of two ancient maidens who happened to be driving past, just as Faith hops on one foot around the stone, waving the other and her arms in the air. And that grown one ancient maiden is our minister's daughter. Or what else could you expect if a widow was family? Growned the other ancient maiden and then they both shook their heads. It was early on Saturday morning and the merideth swout in the dew-drenched world with the delightful consciousness of the holiday. They had never had anything to do on a holiday. Even man and dye-bley had certain household tasks for Saturday mornings. But the daughters of the man's were free to roam from blushing mourn to duey eve if it so pleased them. It did please Faith, but Una felt a secret bitter humiliation because they never learned to do anything. The other girls in her class at school could cook and so and knit. She only was a little ignoramous. Jerry suggested that they go exploring, so they went lingeringly through the fur grove, picking up Carl on the way who was on his knees in the dripping grass, studying his darling ants. Beyond the grove, they came out in Mr. Taylor's pasture field, sprinkled over with the white ghosts of dandelions. In a remote corner was an old tumble-down barn where Mr. Taylor sometimes stored his surplus hay crop but which was never used for any other purpose. The other, the merideth children, trooped and prowled about the ground floor for several minutes. What was that? Whispered Una suddenly. They all listened. There was a faint but distinct rustle in the hay loft above. The merideths looked at each other. There's something up there. Breatheed Faith. I'm going up to see what it is, said Jerry resolutely. Oh don't! Begged Una, catching his arm. I'm going. We'll all go to then. Said Faith. The whole four climbed a shaky ladder. Jerry and Faith quite stauntless. Una pale from fright. And Carl, rather absent mindedly speculating on the possibility of finding a bat up in the loft. He longed to see a bat in daylight. When they stepped off the ladder, they saw what had made the rustle and the sight struck them dumb for a few moments. In a little nest in the hay, a girl was curled up looking as if she had just wakened from sleep. When she saw them, she stood up, rather shakily it seemed. And in the bright sunlight that streamed through the cobwebbed window behind her. They saw that her thin, sunburned face was very pale under its town. She had two braids of lank, thick, toe-colored hair and very odd eyes. White eyes, the man's children thought as she stared at them, half defiantly, half pitiously. They were really of so pale a blue that they did seem almost white, especially when contrasted with the narrow black ring that circled the iris. She was barefooted and bare-headed and was clad in a faded, ragged, old, clad dress, much too short and tight for her. As for years, she might have been almost any age judging from her wizard little face. But her height seemed to be somewhere in the neighborhood of twelve. Who are you? Asked Jerry. The girl looked about her as if seeking a way of escape. Then she seemed to give in with a little shiver of despair. I'm Mary Vance. She said, where'd you come from? The Seed Jerry. Mary, instead of replying, suddenly sat or fell down on the hay and began to cry. Instantly, faith had flung herself down beside her and put her arm around the thin, shaking shoulders. You stopped bothering her. She commanded Jerry. Then she hugged the wave. Don't cry dear. Just tell us what's the matter. We're friends. I'm so... so hungry. Wailed Mary. I... I hate not a thing to eat since Thursday morning. Heh, it's a little water from the brook out there. The man's children gazed at each other in horror. Faye, sprang up. You come right up to the man's and get something to eat before you say another word. Mary, shrank. Oh, I can't. What will your power, Marseille? Heh, it's decided to send me back. We've known mother and father won't bother about you. Neither will Aunt Martha. Can't they say? Faye stamped her foot impatiently. Was this queer girl going to insist on starving to death almost at their very door? Mary yielded. She was so weak that she could hardly climb down the ladder. But somehow they got her down and over the field and into the man's kitchen. Aunt Martha muddling through her Saturday cooking took no notice of her. Faye and Una flew to the pantry and ran sacked it for such eatables as it contained. Some didto. Bread, butter, milk, and a doubtful pie. Mary vans attacked the food ravenously and uncritically while the man's children stood around and watched her. Jerry noticed that she had a pretty mouth and very nice even white teeth. Faith decided with secret horror that Mary had not one stitch on her except that ragged, faded dress. Una was full of pure pity. Karl of a mused wonder. And all of them of curiosity. Now come out the graveyard and tell us about yourself. Warded faith when Mary's appetite showed signs of failing her. Mary was now nothing glow. Food had restored her natural vivacity and unlucent her by no means reluctant tongue. He won't tell your power or marra anybody if I tell you. She stipulated when she was enthroned on Mr. Pollock's tombstone. Opposite to her the man's children lined up on another. Here was spice and mystery and adventure. Something had happened. No, we won't. Cross your hearts. Cross our hearts. Well, I've run away. I was living with Mrs. Wiley over Harbour. Do you know Mrs. Wiley? No. Well you don't want to know her. She's an awful woman. My how I hate her. She worked me to death and wouldn't give me half enough to eat. And she used to lyrically moist every day. Look at here. Mary rolled up her ragged sleeves and held up her scrawny arms and thin hands, chapped almost to rawness. They were black with bruises. The man's children shivered. Faith flushed crimson with indignation. Unas blue eyes filled with tears. She lit me Wednesday night with a stick, said Mary indifferently. It was because I let the cow kick over a pearly milk. How do I know that Donald cow was going to kick? A not unpleasant thrill ran over her listeners. They would never dream of using such dubious words, as it was rather titivating to hear someone else use them. And a girl at that. Certainly this Mary Vance was an interesting creature. I don't blame you for running away. Said Fee. I did not run away because she licked me and licked him as all in the day's work for me. I was darn well used to it. No, but I had meant to run away for a week, because I'd found out Mrs. Wiley was going to rent our farm and go to Lowbridge to live and give me to a cousin of ours up Charlotte Townway. I wasn't in his stand for that. She was a worse sort of woman than Mrs. Wiley even. Mrs. Wiley lent me to her for a month last summer and I'd rather live with the devil himself. Sensation number two, but Una looked downfall. So I made up my mind, I beat it. I had 70 cents saved up that Mrs. John Crawford gave me in the spring for planting potatoes for her. Mrs. Wiley didn't know about it. She was always visiting her cousin when I planted him. I thought I'd sneak up here to the Glen and buy a ticket to Charlotte Town and try to get work there. I'm a hustler, let me tell you. They're in a lazy bone in my body. So I lit out Thursday morning for Mrs. Wiley was up and walked to the Glen. Six miles and when I got to the station I found I'd lost my money. Dunna how, Dunna where. Anyway, it was gone. I didn't know what to do. If I went back to Old Lazy Wiley she'd take the eye off me. So I went and hid in that old barn. What were you doing now? Asked Jerry. Dunno. Suppose I left to go back home and take my medicine. Now that I got some grab in my stomach I guess I can stand it. But there was fear behind the bravado in Mary's eyes. Dunna suddenly slipped from the one tombstone to the other and put her arm about Mary. Don't go back. Just stay here with us. Oh Mrs. Wiley or hump me up. Said Mary. It's likely she's on my trail before this. I might stay here till she finds me I suppose. If your folks don't mind. I was a damn fool to ever think of skipping out. She'd run a weasel to earth. But I was so miserable. Mary's voice quivered but she was ashamed of showing her weakness. I hate and had the life of a dog for these four years. She explained defiantly. You've been for four years with Mrs. Wiley. Yep. She took me out of the asylum over and opened how when I was eight. That's the same place Mrs. Blight came from. Exclaimed fee. I was two years in the asylum. I was putting though when I was six. My parents were dead. Holy cats. How? Said Jerry. Boose said Mary, leconically. And you've no relations. Not a damn one that I know of. Must have had some once though. I was called after half a dozen of them. My full name is Mary, Martha, Lucille, and more ball vans. Can't beat that. My grandfather was a rich man. I bet he was richer than your grandfather. But par drunk it all up and mar, she did her part. They used to beat me too. I know. Laws I've been licked so much I can't like it. Mary tossed her head. She divined that the man's children were pitting her for her many stripes. And she did not want pity. She wanted to be embeed. She looked gale about her. Her strange eyes, now that the dullness of famine was removed from them were brilliant. She would show these youngsters what a personage she was. I've been sick and awful lot. She said proudly. There's not many kids could have come through what I have. I've had scarlet fever and measles, anercypeles, and mumps, and whooping cough, and pumonia. Were you ever fatally sick? Asked doona. I don't know. Said Mary doubtfully. Course she wasn't scoffed Jerry. If you're fatally sick you die. I will I've never died exactly. Said Mary. But I came plain near it once. They thought I was dead and they was getting ready to lay me out when I up and come too. What does it like to be half dead? I scat Jerry curiously. Like nothing. I didn't know it for days after it. It was when I had the pumonia. Mrs. Wiley wouldn't have the doctor. Said she wasn't going to go to no such expense for an own girl. Old Aunt Christina McAllister nursed me with paltices. She brung me round. Sometimes I wish I'd just died the other half and done with it. I'd been better off. If you went to heaven I suppose you would. Said faith rather doubtfully. But what other places there to go? demanded Mary in a puzzled voice. There's hell you know. Said Una, dropping her voice and hugging Mary to lessen the awfulness of the suggestion. Hell or sad? Why it's where the devil lives? Said Jerry. You've heard of him. You spoke about him. Oh yes. I didn't know he lived anywhere. I thought he just roamed round. Mr. Wiley used to mention her when he was alive. It was always telling folks to go there. I thought it was just someplace over new brands where he'd come from. Hell is an awful place. Said faith with the dramatic enjoyment that is born of telling dreadful things. Bad people go there when they die and burn in fire forever and ever and ever. They told you that. demanded Mary incredulously. It's in the Bible. A Mr. Isaac covers it may whether told us to in Sunday school. He was in elder and a pillar in the church and knew all about it. But you needn't worry if you're good you'll go to heaven. And if you're bad I guess you'd rather go to hell. I wouldn't. Said Mary positively. No matter how bad I was I won't want to be burned and burned. I know what it's like. I picked up a red hot poker once by accident. What must you do to be good? You must go to church and Sunday school and read your Bible and pray every night and give to you. I'm not going to give you any commissions. Seduna. Sounds like a large order. Said Mary. Anything else? You must ask God to forgive the sins you've committed. I've never committed committed any. Said Mary. I was just seeing anyway. Oh Mary you must have everybody does. Did you never tell a lie? Eeps of them said Mary. That's a dreadful sin. Said you know solemnly. Do you mean to tell me? Demanded Mary. There I'd be sent to hell for telling a lie now and then. Why I had to. Mr. Wily would have broken every bone in my body one time if I hadn't told him a lie. Lies have saved me many a while I can tell you. Euna sighed. Here were too many difficulties for her to solve. She shuddered as she thought of being cruelly whipped. Very likely she would have lied too. She squeezed Mary's little calloused hand. Is that the only dress you've got? Asked Faith whose joyous nature refused to dwell on disagreeable subjects. I just put this dress on because it was no good. Cryed Mary flushing. Mrs. Wily bought my clothes and I wasn't going to be beholden to her for anything. And I'm honest. If I was going to run away I wasn't going to take what belonged to her that was worth anything. When I grow up I'm going to have a blue satin dress. Your own clothes don't look so stylish. I thought Ministers' children were always dressed up. It was plain that Mary had a temper and was sensitive on some points. But there was a queer, wild charm about her which captivated them all. She was taken to Rainbow Valley that afternoon and introduced to the Blithes as a friend of ours from Over harbour who is visiting us. The Blithes accepted her unquestioningly, perhaps because she was fairly respectable now. After dinner, through which Aunt Martha had mumbled and Mr. Meredith had been in a state of semi-unconsciousness while brooding his Sunday sermon, Faith had prevailed on Mary to put on one of her dresses as well as certain other articles of clothing. With her hair neatly braided, Mary passed muster tolerably well. She was an acceptable playmate for she knew several new and exciting games and her conversation lacked not spice. In fact, some of her expressions made Nan and Die look at her rather as scams. They were not quite sure what their mother would have thought of her, but they knew quite well what Susan would. However, she was a visitor at the man's, so she must be all right. When bedtime came, there was the problem of where Mary should sleep. We can't put her in the sparing, you know, said Faith perplexedly to Una. I haven't got anything in my head. Cried Mary in an injured tone. Oh, it didn't mean that. Protested Faith. The sparing room is all torn up. The mice have knotted a big hole in the feathered tick and made a nest in it. You never found out to Aunt Martha put the reverend Mr. Fisher from Charlottetown there to sleep last week. He seemed found it out. Then Father had to give up his bed and sleep on the study lounge. Aunt Martha hasn't had time to fix the sparing bed up yet, so she says, so nobody can sleep there, no matter how clean their heads are. And our room is so small and the bed is so small you can't sleep with us. I can go back to the hay in the old barn for the night if you'll lend me a quilt. Said Mary philosophically. There was kind of chilly last night, except for that I've had worse beds. Oh no, no you mustn't do that. Seduna. I've thought of a plan, Faith. You know that little trassel bed in the garret room with the old mattress on it that the last minister left there. Let's take up the sparing bed clothes and make Mary a bed there. You weren't mind sleeping in the garret will you Mary? It's just above our room. Any place will do me. Nor was I've never had a decent place to sleep in my life. I slept in the loft over the kitchen at Mrs. Wiles, the roof leaked rain in the summer and the snow drove in in winter. My bed was as straitick on the floor. You won't find me a might out for you about where I sleep. The man's garret was a long, low shadowy place with one gable end partitioned off. Here a bed was made up for Mary of the dainty hem stitched sheets and embroidered spread which Cecilia Meredith had once so proudly made for her spare room and which still survived Aunt Martha's uncertain washings. The good nights were said and silence fell over the man's. Una was just falling asleep when she heard a sound in the room just above that made her sit up suddenly. Listen Faith, Mary's crying. She whispered. Faith replied not being already asleep. Una slipped out of bed and made her way in her little white gown down the hall and up the garret stairs. The creaking floor gave ample notice of her coming and when she reached the corner room all was moonlit silence and the trassel bed showed only a hump in the middle. Mary whispered Una. There was no response. Una crept close to the bed and pulled at the spread. Mary, I know that you were crying. I heard you. Are you lent him? Mary suddenly appeared to view but said nothing. Let me in beside you. I'm cold. Said Una shivering in the chilly air for the little garret window was open and the keen breath of the north shore at night blew in. Mary moved over and Una snuggled down beside her. Now you won't be lonesome. We shouldn't have left you here alone the first night. I wasn't lonesome. Sniffed Mary. What were you crying for then? I just got to thinking of things when I was here alone. I thought of having to go back to Mrs Whiteley and have been licked for running away and and have gone to Elf for telling lies. It all worried me some in scandalous. Oh Mary. Said poor Una in distress. I don't believe God will send you to help for telling lies when you didn't know it was wrong. He couldn't. Why, he's kind and good. Of course you mustn't tell anymore now that you know it is wrong. If I can't tell lies what is to become of me. Said Mary with a sob. You don't understand. You don't know anything about it. Do you've got an home like kind father though it does seem to me he isn't more than about off there but anyway he doesn't lick you and you get enough to eat such as it is. Now that old aren't a yours doesn't know anything about cooking. Why this is the first day I ever remember of feelings if I'd had enough to eat. I've been knocked about all my life except for the two years I was at the asylum. They didn't lick me there. It wasn't too bad though the matrim was cross. She always looked ready to bark my head off a nail. But Mrs. Wiley is an only terror that's what she is and I'm just scared stiff when I think of going back to her. Perhaps you won't have to. Maybe we'll be able to think of a way out. Let's both ask to God to keep you from having to go back to Mrs. Wiley. You say your prayers don't you Mary? Oh yes I always go over an old rhyme for I get into the head. Said Mary indifferently. I never thought of asking for anything in particular though. Nobody in this world ever bothered themselves about me so I didn't suppose God would. He might take more trouble for you seeing your administered daughter. He'd take every bit as much trouble for you Mary I'm sure. Seduna it doesn't matter who's child you are you just ask him and I will too. All right. Agreed Mary. It won't do any harm if it doesn't do much good. If you knew Mrs. Wiley as well as I do you wouldn't think God will want to medal with her. Anyhow I wouldn't cry any more about it. This is a big sight and better and last night down in that bone and the mice running about. Look at the full winds light. Ain't it pretty? This is the only window we can see it from Seduna. I love to watch it. Do you? So do I. I could see it from the Wiley loft. It was the only comfort I had. When I was all sore from being licked I'd watch it and forget about the places that I'd think of the ships sailing away and away from it and wish I was on one of them. Sailing far away too away from everything. I went in nights when it didn't shine I just felt real loneliness. Say you now. What makes all you folks so kind to me when I'm just a stranger? Because it's right to be. The Bible tells us to be kind to everybody. That's it. What I guess most folks don't mind it much then. I'll never remember if anyone being kind to me before. Choose you live I don't. Say you know, ain't them shadows on the walls pretty? They look just like a flock of little dancing birds. And say you know I like all you folks and then life boys and die. But I don't like that man. She's a proud one. Oh no Mary she isn't a bit proud. Seduna eagerly. Not a single bit. Don't tell me. Anyone else are red like that is proud. I don't like her. We all like her very much. Oh suppose you like better in me. Said Mary jealously. Do you? I'm Mary we've known her for weeks and we've only known you a few hours. Stammered Una. So you do like her better than? Said Mary in a rage. All right. Like of all you want to I don't care. I can get along without you. She flung herself over against the wall of the carrot with a slam. Oh Mary. Said Una pushing a tender arm over Mary's uncompromising back. Don't talk like that. I do like you ever so much. And she made me feel so bad. No answer. Presently Una gave a sob. Instantly Mary squirmed around again and engulfed Una in a bear's hug. I'll shout. She ordered. Don't go crying ever what I said. I was mean as the devil to talk that way. I ought to be skinned alive and you all so good to me. I should think you would like anyone better in me. I deserve every looking I ever got. Plash now. If you cry anymore I'll come and walk right down to the harbour in this night dressing dream myself. This terrible threat made Una choke back her sobs. Her tears were wiped away by Mary. With the lace frill at the spare room pillow and forgive her and forgiven cuddled down together again. Harmony restored to watch the shadows of the vine leaves on the moonlit wall until they fell asleep. And in this study below Reverend John Meredith walked the floor with wrapped face and shining eyes, thinking out his message of the morrow. And knew not that under his own roof there was a little forlorn soul stumbling in darkness and ignorance beset by Tara and compassed about with difficulties too great for it to grapple in its unequal struggle with a big indifferent world. Chapter 6. Mary stays at the man's. The man's children took Mary vans to school with them the next day. At first Mary objected to the idea. Didn't you go to church over harbour? Asked Una. You bet Mrs. Wiley never troubled church much but I went every sunday I could get off. I was mighty thankful to go to some place where I could sit down for a spill. I can't go to church in this old ragged dress. This difficulty was removed by faith offering the loan of her second best dress. It's faded a little and two of the buttons are off but I guess it'll do. Our side two buttons on an edgy fee said Mary. Not on sunday said Una shocked. Sure the better the day the better the deed. You just give me a needle and thread and look the other way if you squamish. Faith's school boots and an old black velvet cap that had once been Cecilia Meredith's completed Mary's costume and to church she went. Her behaviour was quite conventional and though some wondered who the shabby little girl with the man's children was she did not attract much attention. She listened to the sermon with outward decorum and joined lustily in the singing. She had it appeared a clear strong voice and a good ear. Mrs. Jimmy Millgrave whose pew was just in front of the man's pew turned suddenly and looked the child over from top to toe. Mary in a mere superfluity of naughtiness stuck out her tongue at Mrs. Millgrave marched at Una's horror. I couldn't help it. She declared after church. What she wanted to stare at me not at full such manners. I'm glad I stuck my tongue out at her. I wish I'd stuck it farther out. Say I saw Rob McAllister from over over there. Wonder if I'll tell Mrs. Wiley on me. No Mrs. Wiley appeared however and in a few days the children forgot to look for her. Mary was apparently a fixture at the man's but she refused to go to school with the others. Now I've finished my education. She said when Faith urged her to go. I went to school full-wint and since I've come to Mrs. Wiley's and I've had all I wanted that. I'm sick and tired of being everlastingly jealdexed because I didn't get my own lessons done. I had no time to do own lessons. Our teacher won't jeal you. He's awfully nice. Said Faith. While I ain't going, I can read and write and cypher up to fractions as all I want. You fell as go and I'll stay home. You needn't be scared I'll steal anything. I swear I'm honest. Mary employed herself while the others were at school in cleaning up the man's. In a few days it was a different place. Flaws were swept, furniture dusted, everything straightened out. She mended the spare room bed tick. She sewed on missing buttons. She patched clothes neatly. She even invaded the study with broom and dustpan and ordered Mr. Meredith out while she put it to rights. But there was one department with which Aunt Martha refused to let her interfere. Aunt Martha might be deaf and half blind and very childish. But she was resolved to keep the commissariat in her own hands, in spite of all Mary's wiles and stratagings. I can tell you if old Martha let me cook you some decent meals. She told the man's children indignantly. There be no more ditto and no more lumpy porridge and blue milk either. What does she do with all the cream? She gives it to the cat. He's hers, you know, said fee. I'd like to cat her. Exclaimed Mary bitterly. I've no use for cats anyhow. They belong to the old Nick. You can tell that by their eyes. Well, if old Mary won't she won't I suppose. But it gets on my nerves to see good little spoiled. When school came out, they always went to Rainbow Valley. Mary refused to play in the graveyard. She declared she was afraid of ghosts. Those no such thing as ghosts declared gemblithe. I wait now. Did you ever see any? Hundreds of them said Mary promptly. What are they like? Said Carl. All for looking. Dressed all in white with scaring tannins and heads. Said Mary. What did you do? Asked Una. Run like the devil. Said Mary. Then she caught Walter's eyes and blushed. Mary was a good dealing awe of Walter. She declared to the man's scars that his eyes made her nervous. I think of all the lies I've ever told when I look into them. She said, and I wish I hadn't. Jam was Mary's favorite. When he took her to the attic at Ingolside and showed her the museum of Curios that Captain Jim Boyd had bequeathed to him. She was immensely pleased and flattered. She also won Carl's heart entirely by her interest in his beetles and ants. It could not be denied that Mary got on rather better with the boys than with the girls. She quarreled bitterly with Nan Bly the second day. Your mother is a witch. She told Nan scornfully. Fred Eddwimming are always witches. Then she and Faith fell out about the rooster. Mary said its tail was too short. Faith angrily retorted that she guessed God know what length to make a rooster's tail. They did not speak for a day over this. Mary treated Una's hairless and one-eyed doll with consideration, but when Una showed her her other prized treasure, a picture of an angel carrying a baby presumably to heaven. Mary declared that it looked too much like a ghost for her. Una crept away to her room and cried over this, but Mary hunted her out. Hugged her repentantly and implored forgiveness. No one could keep up a quarrel long with Mary. Not even Nan who was rather prone to hold grudges and never quite forgave the insults to her mother. Mary was jolly. She could and did tell the most thrilling ghost stories. Rainbow Valley sayon says were undeniably more exciting after Mary came. She learned to play on the mouth harp and soon eclipsed Jerry. Never struck anything I couldn't do if I put my mind to it. She declared. Mary seldom lost a chance of tooting her own horn. She taught them how to make blowbags out of the thick leaves of the lift forever that flourished in the old Bailey Garden. She initiated them into the toothsome qualities of the sours that grew in the niches of the graveyard dieke. And she could make the most wonderful shadow pictures on the walls with her long, flexible fingers. And when they all went picking gum in Rainbow Valley, Mary always got the biggest chew and bragged about it. There were times when they hated her and times when they loved her. But at all times they found her interesting. So they submitted quite meekly to her bossing and by the end of a fortnight had come to feel that she must always have been with them. Is the queerest thing that Mrs. Wiley ain't been after me? Said Mary. I can't understand it. Maybe she isn't going to bother about you at all. Seduna, then you can just go on staying here. This ass ain't hardly big enough for me and old Martha. Said Mary, darkly. It's a very fine thing to have enough to eat. I've often wondered what it'd be like. I'm particular about my cooking. And Mrs. Wiley will be here yet. She's got a ruddy n' a pickle for me alright. I don't think about it so much in the daytime but say girls up there in that garret night aren't get to thinkin' of it till I almost wish she'd come and have it over with. I don't know is one real good whipping it'd be much worse than all a dozen of living through my mind ever since I ran away? Were any of you licked? No of course not. Said Fee, then dignityately. Father would never do such a thing. You don't know your own life. Said Mary, with a sigh half of envy, half of superiority. You don't know what I've come through. And I suppose the blives were never licked either. No I guess not. But I think there was sometimes spanked when they were small. Spanking doesn't amount to anything. Said Mary contemptuously. If my folks just spanked me I'd have thought they were payin' me. While we're ain't a fair world I wouldn't mind taking my share of wallopins but I've had a darn sight too many. Tisnt right to say that word Mary. Said Una reproachfully. You promised me you wouldn't say it. Give way. Responded Mary. If you knew some of the words I could say if I licked you wouldn't make such a fuss over dawn. And you know very well I ain't told any license I come here. What about all those ghosts you said you saw? Asked Faith. Mary belashed. That was different. She said defiantly. I know you won't believe them Yarns and I didn't intend you to. And I did see something queer one night when I was passing the over upper graveyard truzy live. I don't know where the twos of ghost or sandy crawl for the old white nag but it looked bling queer and I'll tell you I scuited at the rate of no man's business.