The trees were getting bigger, the birds were busy, and the creek was
in a dreadful hurry to reach the river. It was like that poetry piece
that says:

"When a playful brook, you gambolled,"

(Mostly that gambolled word is said about lambs)

"And the sunshine o'er you smiled,
On your banks did children loiter,
Looking for the spring flowers wild?"

The creek was more in earnest and working harder at pushing steadily
ahead without ever stopping than anything else; and like the poetry
piece again, it really did "seem to smile upon us as it quickly passed
us by." I had to quit playing, and go to work some time; it made me
sorry to think how behind I was, because I had not started two years
before, when I should. But that couldn't be helped now. All there was
left was to go this time, for sure. I got up heavily and slowly as an
old person, and then slipped out and ran down the path to the meadow,
because I could hear Leon whistle as he came to bring the cows.

By fast running I could start them home for him: Rose, Brindle, Bess,
and Pidy, Sukey and Muley; they had eaten all day, but they still
snatched bites as they went toward the gate. I wanted to surprise Leon
and I did.

"Getting good, ain't you?" he asked. "What do you want?"

"Nothing!" I said. "I just heard you coming and I thought I'd help
you."

"Where were you?"

"Playing."

"You don't look as if you'd been having much fun."

"I don't expect ever to have any, after I begin school."

"Oh!" said Leon. "It is kind of tough the first day or two, but you'll
soon get over it. You should have behaved yourself, and gone when they
started you two years ago."

"Think I don't know it?"

Leon stopped and looked at me sharply.

"I'll help you nights, if you want me to," he offered.

"Can I ever learn?" I asked, almost ready to cry.

"Of course you can," said Leon. "You're smart as the others, I
suppose. The sevens and nines of the multiplication table are the
stickers, but you ought to do them if other girls can. You needn't
feel bad because you are behind a little to start on; you are just that
much better prepared to work, and you can soon overtake them. You know
a lot none of the rest of us do, and some day it will come your turn to
show off. Cheer up, you'll be all right."

Men are such a comfort. I pressed closer for more.

"Do you suppose I will?" I asked.

"Of course," said Leon. "Any minute the woods, or bird