chnut's," repeated Annie, "that's a funny name."

"Why, his real name is Antonio," said Rodolphus. "But, come, walk along;
there is no danger in going over the bridge."

Notwithstanding her brother's assurances that there was no danger, Annie
was very much afraid of the bridge. She however walked along, but she kept
as near the middle of the roadway as she could. Sometimes she came to wide
cracks in the floor of the bridge, through which she could see the water
foaming and tumbling over the rocks far below. There was a sort of
balustrade or railing each side of the bridge, but it was very open.
Rodolphus went to this railing and putting his head between the bars of
it, looked down.

Annie begged him to come back. But he said he wished to look and see if
there were any fishes down there in the water. In the mean time Annie
walked along very carefully, taking long steps over the cracks, and
choosing her way with great caution. Presently she heard a noise behind
her, and looking round she saw a wagon coming. This frightened her more
than ever. So she began to run as fast as she could run, and very soon she
got safely across the bridge. When she reached the land, she went out to
the side of the road to let the wagon go by, and sat down there to wait
for her brother.

Presently Rodolphus came. Annie left her seat and went back into the road
to meet him, and so they walked along together.

"If his name is truly Antonio," said Annie, "why don't you call him
Antonio?"

"Oh, I don't know," said Rodolphus, "the boys always call him Beechnut."

"_I_ mean to call him Antonio," said Annie, "if I see him."

"Well, you _will_ see him," said Rodolphus, "for we go right where he
lives."

"Where does he live?" asked Annie.

"He lives at Phonny's," said Rodolphus.

"And where is Phonny's?" asked Annie.

"Oh, it is a house up here by the valley. Didn't you ever go there?"

"No," said Annie.

"It is a very pleasant house," said Rodolphus. "There is a river in front
of it, and a pier, and a boat. There is a boat-house, too. There used to
be a little girl there, too--just about as big as you."

"What was her name?" asked Annie.

"Malleville," replied Rodolphus.

"I have heard about Malleville," said Annie.

"How did you hear about her?" asked Rodolphus.

"My sister Ellen told me about her," said Annie.

"We can go and see Ellen," said Rodolphus, "after we have got the rabbit."

"Well," said Annie, "I should like to g