treated us pretty tolerably well; but
here I shall expect something further to be done. Also, in the way of
future favors, a kitten would be very acceptable. Animals (except,
perhaps, a pig) seem never out of place, even in the most paradisiacal
spheres. And, by the way, a young colt comes up our avenue, now and
then, to crop the seldom-trodden herbage; and so does a company of cows,
whose sweet breath well repays us for the food which they obtain. There
are likewise a few hens, whose quiet cluck is heard pleasantly about the
house. A black dog sometimes stands at the farther extremity of the
avenue, and looks wistfully hitherward; but when I whistle to him, he
puts his tail between his legs, and trots away. Foolish dog! if he had
more faith, he should have bones enough.

* * * * *

_Saturday, August 6._--Still a dull day, threatening rain, yet without
energy of character enough to rain outright. However, yesterday there
were showers enough to supply us well with their beneficent outpouring.
As to the new cistern, it seems to be bewitched; for, while the spout
pours into it like a cataract, it still remains almost empty. I wonder
where Mr. Hosmer got it; perhaps from Tantalus, under the eaves of whose
palace it must formerly have stood; for, like his drinking-cup in Hades,
it has the property of filling itself forever, and never being full.

After breakfast, I took my fishing-rod, and went down through our
orchard to the river-side; but as three or four boys were already in
possession of the best spots along the shore, I did not fish. This river
of ours is the most sluggish stream that I ever was acquainted with. I
had spent three weeks by its side, and swam across it every day, before
I could determine which way its current ran; and then I was compelled to
decide the question by the testimony of others, and not by my own
observation. Owing to this torpor of the stream, it has nowhere a
bright, pebbly shore, nor is there so much as a narrow strip of
glistening sand in any part of its course; but it slumbers along between
broad meadows, or kisses the tangled grass of mowing-fields and
pastures, or bathes the overhanging boughs of elder-bushes and other
water-loving plants. Flags and rushes grow along its shallow margin. The
yellow water-lily spreads its broad, flat leaves upon its surface; and
the fragrant white pond-lily occurs in many favored spots,--generally
selecting a situation jus