that kind of dirt, but to get close to dear old mother earth, and have
a scent of her fresh soil once in a while is what I enjoy. It is
delightful. I like nature too well to stand on ceremony with her."

"You like butterflies too, don't you, aunty?" asked little Marian.

"To be sure I do, dear. I love all the pretty things that fly."

"And the birdies too?" asked the child.

"Yes, indeed; I love the birds the best of all."

"And the old cat was awful naughty when he caught the baby robin the
other day and ate it up. Wasn't he, aunty?"

"Yes. Tom is a cruel, bad, bad cat," responded Miss Katie, as she
squeezed Marian's little pink hand between her own palms. "That
naughty puss gets plenty to eat in the house and there are lots of nice
fat mice in the barn, and yet he slips slyly out to the orchard and
takes the life of a poor, innocent little bird."

"And it made the mamma-bird cry because her little one was dead," added
Miss Dorothy, who had drawn near.

Little Marian heaved a deep sigh and her rosy lips trembled
suspiciously. "Poor mamma-bird! It can never have its baby bird any
more," she said, with a sob of sympathy. "Don't you feel sorry for it,
Aunt Dorothy?"

"Yes, dear. I feel very sorry for it."