on his work and him. Like the tines of a
digging-fork, his fingers sank into the ground.

The precious treasure, hugged gently, reverently, with a fierce sense of
protection, was balm to every hurt. With it thus clasped, the boy
laboriously made the ascent of the ridge on his return, and paused on
the summit. There was something strange in the distance with which the
descending slope to the road stretched so far, so bewilderingly far. He
contemplated it, and wondered if he could compass it in a lifetime. The
impulse to go on--for this last task was only half done--overcame the
check from the illusion, and he started down. His knees developed a
foolish way of suddenly flexing and seating him hard on the ground. At
first it was annoying, but when it happened the second time the
absurdity of it, and the ridiculous suddenness of the surprise that it
caused, made the boy laugh aloud. It astonished him to hear himself
laugh, for that was very unusual, and he wondered. But he rose,
staggered on, and found himself chuckling inside,--a most astonishing
thing! He could not imagine why he was doing it. When he dropped the
third time his voice rang in so loud and merry a laugh that two blue
jays came and scolded him terrifically, and he laughed at them till his
tears ran. He was so absurdly happy that he feared he would hug his
treasure too hard.

If only his mother were with him, that she might see how funny it all
was, and laugh and be happy with him, and then walk with him hand in
hand through the beautiful woods, while he showed her all the wonderful
things that he knew! But no; his sisters and his father must be with
them,--and Grace, and Andy, too, and the teacher and dear old
grandmother. What a glorious time they would have!

The boy started, for a sweet, coaxing smother had suddenly fallen on
him. He fought it away and rose with great difficulty and in some alarm
lest he should not reach the road. On he lurched, clinging to the bushes
as he swayed, trying not to laugh, for he had an idea that he was very
crass and silly. He saw the road, only a rod away, and suddenly
reflected that he was not presentable. Though staying till night would
delay the completion of his task, there was no help for it, and he was
content, and laughed because he was. And he knew that he really needed
rest; for suppose his legs should practise those grotesque
eccentricities in the road, and somebody should see! He sat down,
carefully guarding h