He was a rollicking boy, full of merriment and bluster, and what tender
feelings he possessed, he took such a wonderful amount of pains to
conceal, that Susy never suspected he had any. She would have enjoyed
her ride if she had not felt so full of grief. The day was beautiful.
There had been a storm, and the trees looked as if they had been
snowballing one another; but Susy had no eye for trees, and just then
hardly cared for her pony.

Percy put the cage in the sleigh, under the buffalo robes; and when
they reached his own door, he carried the cage into the house, while
Susy drew a sigh of relief. He offered to stuff Dandy, or have him
stuffed; but Susy rejected the idea with horror.

"No, if Dandy was dead, he was all dead; she didn't want to see him
sitting up stiff and cold, when he couldn't sing a speck."




CHAPTER VIII.

ANNIE LOVEJOY.


But the day was not over yet. The bright sun and blue sky were doing
what they could to make a cheerful time of it, but it seemed as if Susy
fell more deeply into trouble, as the hours passed on.

There are such days in everybody's life, when it rains small vexations
from morning till night, and when all we can do is to hope for better