s
rather in awe of Tom's superiority, for he was the only person who
called her knowledge "stuff," and did not feel surprised at her
cleverness. Tom, indeed, was of opinion that Maggie was a silly little
thing; all girls were silly,--they couldn't throw a stone so as to hit
anything, couldn't do anything with a pocketknife, and were frightened
at frogs. Still, he was very fond of his sister, and meant always to
take care of her, make her his housekeeper, and punish her when she did
wrong.

They were on their way to the Round Pool,--that wonderful pool, which
the floods had made a long while ago. No one knew how deep it was; and
it was mysterious, too, that it should be almost a perfect round, framed
in with willows and tall reeds, so that the water was only to be seen
when you got close to the brink. The sight of the old favorite spot
always heightened Tom's good humor, and he spoke to Maggie in the most
amicable whispers, as he opened the precious basket and prepared their
tackle. He threw her line for her, and put the rod into her hand. Maggie
thought it probable that the small fish would come to her hook, and the
large ones to Tom's. But she had forgotten all about the fish, and was
looking dreamily at the glassy water, when Tom said, in a loud whisper,
"Look, look, Maggie!" and came running to prevent her from snatching her
line away.

Maggie was frightened lest she had been doing something wrong, as usual,
but presently Tom drew out her line and brought a large tench bouncing
on the grass.

Tom was excited.

"O Maggie, you little duck! Empty the basket."

Maggie was not conscious of unusual merit, but it was enough that Tom
called her Magsie, and was pleased with her. There was nothing to mar
her delight in the whispers and the dreamy silences, when she listened
to the light dipping sounds of the rising fish, and the gentle rustling,
as if the willows and the reeds and the water had their happy whispering
also. Maggie thought it would make a very nice heaven to sit by the pool
in that way, and never be scolded. She never knew she had a bite till
Tom told her; but she liked fishing very much.

III

On Wednesday, the day before the aunts and uncles were coming, there
were such various and suggestive scents, as of plumcakes in the oven and
jellies in the hot state, mingled with the aroma of gravy, that it was
impossible to feel altogether gloomy; there was hope in the air. Tom and
Maggie made several inroa