friend's reasons; but she remembered
to bring the ragged old book with her
the very next time her brother dropped
her at Mr. Roberts's gate to spend
an hour with Miss Philippa. There
had to be a few formal words between
the preacher and the sinner before
Mary had entire possession of her
playmate, but when her brother drove
away, promising to call for her later
in the afternoon, she became so
engrossed in the important task of
picking hollyhock seeds that she quite
forgot the dream-book. The air was hazy
with autumn, and full of the scent of
fallen leaves and dew-drenched grass
and of the fresh tan-bark on the garden
paths. On the other side of the road
was a corn-field, where the corn stood
in great shocks. Philly looked over at
it, and drew a quick breath,--her dream!

"Did you bring that foolish book?"
she said.

Mary, slapping her pocket, laughed
loudly. "I 'most forgot! Yes, ma'am;
I got it. I'll show what it says about
the black ox--"