Allen laughed.

"O, so white and nice!" added Prudy. "He hasn't got a speck of red
cheeks, 'cept his nose and little toes. Mayn't he have one of my
oranges? I never did see any thing look so much like a sugar pig."

It did Mr. Allen and aunt Madge a world of good to see the child so
pleased.

"Do you know," said she, eagerly, "who that piggy b'longs to?"

"Why, to grandpa, I suppose."

"O," said Prudy, very sadly, while the bright color died out of her
cheeks at once, "I didn't know but it b'longed to grandma."

"Well, you little pet," said aunt Madge, laughing, "what do you care
who it _b'longs_ to? You can look at it all the same, can't you?"

"But," said Prudy, "do you s'pose----"

"S'pose what?"

"Do you s'pose if grandpa thought I was a darlin'----" Prudy could get
no farther.

"Of course he _knows_ you're a darling!" said aunt Madge.

"Do you s'pose when I don't tease for things to eat, and grandma says
I may think what I want for a present, he'd be willing I should
have--she should give me that--_piggy_?"

"O, what a Prudy!" said aunt Madge, laughing till she cried. "Isn't
there something nicer you would like for a present? You'd better
think again."

"O, no, no," said Prudy, trembling with eagerness. "If grandma should
give me a house full of dolls and candy all rolled up, and every
single present in the world, I'd rather have that piggy."

"Well, well," said Mr. Allen, "I guess the folks that wouldn't give
their pigs away to Prudy don't live here. Let's go and see."

They went into the house to see grandpa. Of course he said Yes.

"Of all the funny presents!" said grandma;--but Prudy was happy, and
that was enough.

Grandpa was very kind, but there was one thing he would not consent
to--he would not let the pig come into the house. But as he said he
would be sure to take good care of it, and give it sweet milk to
drink, Prudy did not mind so much.

When she grew stronger she fed it herself, and the pretty creature
knew her, and was glad to see her, Prudy thought. Now she had a great
many presents that summer, but none that pleased her half so well as
the little pet pig.

CHAPTER VIII

PRUDY FISHING

One morning, after Prudy was quite well, aunt Madge told her she might
go into the garden and get some currants. While she was picking with
all her might, and breathing very fast, she saw Horace close by, on
the other side of the fence, with a pole in his hand.

"I thought you