oney for my rabbits. I would rather give you a
rabbit for nothing."

This, Beechnut said finally, he would do. "I will _give_ you a rabbit,"
said he, "for the present, and whenever you get a quarter of a dollar,
which is honestly your own, you may come and pay for it, if you please,
and if not, not. But don't bring me any money which is not truly your own.
And carry that quarter of a dollar back and give it to your father."

So saying, Beechnut led the way, and Rodolphus and Annie followed him,
into one of the barns. They walked along a narrow passageway, between a
hay-mow on one side, and a row of stalls for cattle on the other. Then
they turned and passed through an open room, and finally came to a place
which Beechnut called a bay. Here there was a little pen, with a house in
it, for the rabbits, and a hole at one side where the rabbits could run in
under the barn. Beechnut called "Benny! Benny! Benny!" and immediately
several rabbits came running out from the hole.

"There," said Beechnut, "which one will you have?"

The children began immediately to examine the different rabbits, and to
talk very fast and very eagerly about them. Finally, Rodolphus decided in
favor of a gray one, though there was one which was perfectly white, that
Annie seemed to prefer. Beechnut said that he would give Rodolphus the
gray one.

"As to the white one," said he, "I am going to let you take it, Annie, for
Ellen. I can't give it to _you_. I give it to Ellen; but, perhaps, she
will let you carry it home with you, and take care of it for her, and so
keep it with Rodolphus's."

Annie seemed very much pleased with this plan, and so the two rabbits were
caught and put into the basket. The cloth was then tied over them, and
Rodolphus and Annie prepared to go away.

"But, stop," said Beechnut, "I am going directly by your aunt's in my
wagon, and I can give you a ride."

"Well," said Annie, dancing about and clapping her hands. It was very
seldom that Annie had an opportunity to take a ride. She ran to the wagon.
Rodolphus followed her slowly, carrying the basket. Beechnut helped in the
two children, and then got in himself, and took his seat between them.
Rodolphus held the basket between his knees, peeping in under the cloth,
now and then, to see if the rabbits were safe.

[Illustration.]

The Yard at Mr. Randon's.

The party traveled on by a winding and very pleasant road am