e had let me trim out the under-bresh now an' then I
shouldn't ha' broke my leg a-stumblin' over old tree-roots. But, no!
Things must be kep' just as they was in the old Colonel's time, no
matter what! She 'pears to think that timber's got as much feelin' as
folks, an' I 'low there ain't no other oaks an' pines an' maples to
compare with 'em left this section of the State. It makes me plumb wild
to lie here helpless, an' think o' them villagers a-trompin' her brakes
an' scarin' them gray squir'ls that there's so few of, anyway, let alone
the birds an' chipmunks! Oh, hum!"

Surely, there was no lovelier spot in the world, so Katharine felt,
finding the basket rather heavy, and running across fields the sooner to
be rid of it. But this by-path led to the river and a quaint old-time
bridge which spanned it; and here the girl meant to rest and give
herself a lesson in angling. Setting her basket down in the shade of
some alder-bushes, she swung her feet over the stone ledge of the bridge
and prepared to arrange her tackle. To fit the jointed rod into a
desirable length was simple enough, and to attach the line with its
hook as easy; but there trouble began.

"I never thought a thing about bait, and where shall I get it? I suppose
the ground is just as full of worms here as it is in the garden where
the boys dig them. But--ugh! Shall I dare to touch one if I find it?"
she asked herself. Then as promptly exclaimed: "I must! I just must!
I'll catch the nicest fish out the water and take it home to Uncle Moses
for his supper. Susanna will cook it, I'm sure--or, maybe, let me do it
myself. Then I'll take it to that poor sick man on one Aunt Eunice's
prettiest dishes, and he'll forgive me for saying such impudent things
to him. It will make it easier to apologize if I have a gift in my
hand," said this wise little maid. Unfortunately, she said it aloud,
having the bad habit of talking to herself whenever there was nobody
else to talk to.

Then, picking up a sharp stick, she resolutely set to work to unearth an
angleworm. But this was difficult. The mold was hard and sunbaked, and
the stick of little use. Its point broke repeatedly; yet the longer she
labored the more determined she became, and finally she did succeed in
driving a red earthworm from its haunts. No sooner had it come to the
surface than she sprang away in disgust, exclaiming:

"Oh, you nasty, dirty, squirmy thing! I wouldn't touch you for anything!
Indeed, I'll