第3章
Atmidnightyoumighthaveseenaquaintlydespondentlittlefigure，whosecurlyheadissuedfromahoodedcloak，staggeringhopelesslyfromahammock，andseatingherselfonamossystump。Fromthelimpnessofherattitudeandthepatheticexpressionofhereyes，I
fearPollywasreviewingformerhappynightsspentonspring-beds；
andatthisparticularmomenttherealitiesofcamping-outhardlyequalledheranticipations。Whatevermayhavebeenherfeelings，however，theywerepromptlystifledwhenacertaininsolentheadreareditselffromitsblanket-roll，andahoarsevoicecackled，"PrettyPolly!Pollywantacanyon?"AtthisinsultMissOliverwrappedherdraperyaboutherandstrodetoherhammockwiththeairofatragedyqueen。
CHAPTERIII:LIFEINTHECANYON——THEHEIRAPPARENTLOSESHIMSELF
"Know"stthouthelandwherethelemon-treesbloom，Wherethegoldorangeglowsinthegreenthicket"sgloom；
Wherethewind，eversoft，fromtheblueheavenblows，Andgrovesareofmyrtle，andolive，androse?"
Onthenextmorning，aswehaveseen，theynamedtheirsummerhomeCampChaparral，andforaweekormoretheyweretheverybusiestcolonyofpeopleunderthesun；forittakesadealofhardworkandingenuitytomakeacomfortableandbeautifuldwelling-placeintheforest。
Thebestwayofshowingyouhowtheyaccomplishedthisistodescribethecampafteritwasnearlyfinished。
Thetwolargestbedroomtentsweremadeofbrightawningcloth，oneofredandwhite，theotherofblueandwhite，bothgailydecoratedwithbraid。Theywerepitchedunderthesamegiantoak，andyetwerenearlyfortyfeetapart；thatofthegirlshavingacanvasfloor。
Theywerenotquitewillingtosleepontheground，sotheyhadbroughtemptybed-sackswiththem，andPancho"sfirstdutyafterhisarrivalhadbeentodrivetoaneighbouringranchforagreatloadofstraw。
Inaglorioustreenearbywasa"skyparlour，"arrangedbyafewboardsnailedhighupintheleafybranches，andreachedfrombelowbyaprimitiveladder。Thiswasthefavouritesitting-roomofthegirlsbyday，andservedforPancho"sbedroomatnight。Itwasbeautifulenoughtobefitshelterforallthewoodlandnymphs，withitsfestoonsofmistletoeandwildgrape-vines；butPanchowasratheranunappreciativetenant，evengoingsofarastosnoreinthesacredplace!
Justbeyondwasacard-room，——imagineit——inwhichasquareboard，nailedonalowstump，servedforatable，whereDr。Paulandtheboysplayedmanyagameofcrib，backgammon，andcheckers。Here，too，allElsie"sletterswerewrittenandBell"snonsenseverses，andherewastheidenticalspotwhereJackHoward，thatmischievousknightofthebrush，perpetratedthosemoderntravestiesonthe"WilliamHenrypictures，"forElsie"sdelectation。
Thedressing-roomwasreachedbyapathcutthroughbushestoacharminglittlepool。Herewereunmistakableevidencesoffeminineart:looking-glasseshangingtotrees，snowywash-cloths，eachbearingitsowner"sinitials，adorningtheshrubs，whilenumeroustowelswavedinthebreeze。Betweentwotreesathinboardwasnailed，whichappearedtobeused，asnearlyasthewoodpeckerscouldmakeout，asatoothbrushrack。Inthis，Philip，theskilfulcarpenter，hadboredthenecessarynumberofholes，andeachonecontainedatoothbrushtiedwithagorgeousribbon。
InthissecludedspotBellwaswonttomarshaleverymorningtheentireforceof"thetoothbrushbrigade"；and，conductingthedrillwithmuchingenuity，shewouldtakehervictimsthroughalongseriesofmilitarymanoeuvresarrangedforthetoothbrush。Oh，thegaspings，thechokingsandstranglings，whichoccurredwhenshemountedarockbytheedgeofthepool，andaftercallingintonesofthunder，"Brush，brothers，brushwithcare!
Brushinthepresenceofthecommandaire!"
orderedherunwillingprivatestopolishtheirinnocentmolarstothetuneof"Hail，Columbia，"or"AuldLangSyne"!Andiftheybecamemutinous，itwasGeoffreywhoreducedthemtosubmission，andorderedthemtobrushforthreemorningstothetuneof"BluebellsofScotland"asasignofloyaltytotheircommander。
Asforthefurnishingofthecamp，therewereimpromptustoolsandtablesmadeofpacking-boxesandtrunks，allcoveredwithbrightTurkey-redcotton；therewerenolessthanthreerusticloungesandtwoarm-chairsmadefrommanzanitabranches，andaQueenAnnebedsteadwasbeingslowlyconstructed，daybyday，bytheambitiousboysfortheirbelovedElsie。
Onecornerofeachtentwascurtainedoffforabath-room，anotherforaclothes-press，andtherewereadozendevicesforcomfort，asDr。Winshipwasopposedtoanymoreinconveniencethanwasstrictlynecessary。Dr。andMrs。WinshipandlittleDickyoccupiedonetent，theboysanother，andthegirlsathird。
WhenBell，Polly，andMargeryemergedfromtheirtentonthesecondmorning，theyweredisagreeablysurprisedtoseealargeplacardoverthefrontentrance，bearingtheinsolentinscription，"TentChatter。"
Theysaidnothing；butonthenightafter，acommitteeoftwostoleoutandgluedacompanionplacard，"TentClatter，"overthedooroftheirmasculineneighbours。Andtotellthetruth，onewasaswelldeservedastheother；foriftherewasgenerallyasubduedhumofconversationintheone，thereneverfailedtobeaperfectdinanduproarintheother。
Underagreatsycamore-treestoodthedining-table，whichconsistedoftwolong，wideboardsplacedtogetheruponacoupleofbarrels；
andnotfarawaywasthebrushkitchen，whichshouldhavebeenaworkofart，foritrepresentedthecombinedgeniusofAmerican，Mexican，andChinesecarpenters，Dr。Winship，Pancho，andHopYethavinglabouredinitserection。Itreallyansweredthepurposeadmirably，andlookedquitelikeaconventionalCaliforniakitchen；thatis，itwastenfeetsquare，andcontainedatable，astove，andaChinaman。
Theyoungpeople，bytheway，hadfoughtbitterlyagainstthestove，protestingwithalltheirmightagainsttakingit。PollyandJackdeclaredthattheywouldstarvesoonerthaneatanythingthathadn"tbeencookedoveracamp-fire。BellandPhilipsaidthattheyshouldstandinfrontofitallthetime，forfearsomebodywouldridethroughthecanyonandcatchthemcampingoutwithastove。Imaginesuchasituation；itmadethemblush。Margerysaidshewishedpeopleweren"tquitesopractical，andwouldn"truinnaturebyintroducingsuchuglyandunnecessarythings。SheintendedtopointthemoralbydrawingapictureofAdamandEveinthegardenofEden，——Evebendingoveracook-stoveandAdampeelingappleswithamachine。GeoffreyscoffedatMargery"ssentimentalism，putonhismosttryingair，anddeclaredthatifhehadhisporkandonionsservedup"hotandreg"lar，"hedidn"tcarehowshehadhervictualscooked。
Theywereallsomewhatappeased，however，whentheyfoundthatDr。
Winshipwasasanxiousastheyforaneveningcamp-fire，andmerelyinsisteduponthestovebecauseitsimplifiedthecookery。
Furthermore，beinganeminentlyjustman，heyieldedsofarastogivethempermissiontopreparetheirownmealsonaprivatecamp-
firewhenevertheydesired；andthiseffectuallystoppedtheargument，fornoonewaswillingtopaysoheavyapriceforeffect。
Thehammocks，madeofgaily-colouredcords，wereslunginvariousdirectionsashortdistancefromthesquaretent，which，beingthefamilysitting-room，wasthecentreofattraction。Itwasarrangedwithagaycanopy，twentyfeetsquare。Threesidesweremadebyhangingfullcurtainsofawningclothfromredwoodrodsbymeansofhugebrassrings。Thesecurtainswereloopedbackduringthedayanddroppedafterdark，makingacosyandwarminteriorfromwhichtowatchthecamp-fireoncoolevenings。
AsfortheCanyondeLasFloresitself，thislittlevalleyoftheflowers，itwasbeautifulenoughineveryparttoinspireanartist"spencilorapoet"spen；soquietandromanticitwas，too，itmightalmosthavebeenunderaspell，——thehomeofsomesleepy，enchantedprincesswaitingthemagickissofaprincelylover。Itreachedfromtheoceantothemountains，andheldathousanddifferentpicturesonwhichtofeasttheeye；forDameNaturedealsoutbeautywithalavishhandinthislandofperpetualsummer，song，andsunshine。
Thereweremanynobleoak-trees，somehungprofuselywithmistletoe，andotherswiththelong，Spanishgreybeardmoss，thatdroopsfromthebranchesinsilverylines，likewaterspray。Sometimes，inthemoonlight，itwindsabouttheoaklikeashroud，andthenagainlikeafilmybridalveil，ordrippingsofmistfromafrozentree。
Hereandtherewereopentractsofgroundbetweentheclumpsoftrees，likethatinwhichthetentswerepitched，——sunnyplaces，wheretheearthwaswarmanddry，andthelizardsblinkedsleepilyunderthestones。
Fartherupthecanyonweresuperbbay-trees，withtheirglossyleavesandaromaticodour，andthemadrono，which，withitsblood-redskin，isoneofthemostbeautifulofCaliforniatrees，havinganopengrowth，likeamaple，brightgreenlustrousleaves，andabrilliantredbark，whichpeelsoffatregularseasons，givingplacetoanewoneofdelicatepea-green。
Therewerenobircheswithpurewhiteskin，orgracefulelms，orfluffypussywillows，butsomanybeautifulforeignthingsthatitwouldseemungratefultomournthoseleftbehindinthedearNewEnglandwoods；andasforflowers，therearenoyellowandpurpleviolets，fragileanemones，orblushingMayflowers，butinMarchthehillsidesarecoveredwithred，inAprilflushedwithpinkandblue，inMaybrilliantwithyellowblossoms；andinthecanyons，wheretheearthismoist，thereareflowersalltheyear。
AndthenthegirlswouldneverforgivemeifIshouldforgetthesuperbyucca，orSpanishbayonet，whichisasbeautifulasatropicalqueen。Itstall，slenderstalkhasnotwigsorbranches，butitsleaveshangdownfromthetoplikebayonet-blades；andoh，thererisesfromthecentreofthemsuchastatelyprincessofaflower，likeatreeinitself，ladenwithcream-white，velvety，fragrantblossoms。
Theboysoftenclimbedthehillsidesandbroughthomethesesplendidtreasures，whichwereplacedinpailsofwateratthetentdoors，toshedtheirluxuriantbeautyandsweetnessintheairfordaystogether。TheybroughthomequantitiesofSpanishmoss，andwildclematis，andmanzanitaberriestoo，withwhichtodecoratethebelovedcamp；andevenDickytrottedbackwithhisarmsfullofgorgeousblossomsandgrasses，whichhearrangedwithgreattasteandskillinmugs，bottles，andcansonthedining-table。
Can"tyouseewhatacharmingplaceitwas?AndIhavenotbeguntotellyouthehalfyet；fortherewasalwaysasoftwindstirringtheleavesindreamymusic，andaboveandthroughthiswhisperedsoundyouheardthebrooksplashingoveritspebblybed，——splashingandsplashingandlaughingallitpossiblycould，knowingitwouldspeedilybedriedupbythethirstyAugustsun。Everyfewyardspartofthestreamsettleddowncontentedlyintoaplacidlittlepool，whilethemostinquisitiveandrestlesslittledropsflowednoisilydowntoseewhatwasgoingonbelow。Thebankswerefringedwithgracefulaldersandpoison-oakbushes，vividincrimsonandyellowleaves，whiledelicatemaiden-hairfernsgrewinminiatureforestsbetweenthecrevicesoftherocks；yet，withthepracticalityofChinesehumannature，HopYetusedallthisbeautyforadish-panandrefrigerator!
Now，confessthat，afterhavingseenexactlyhowitlooks，youwouldliketorubamagiclamp，likeAladdin，andwishyourselftherewithourmerryyoungsextette。ForCaliforniaisalovelylandandastrangeone，evenatthislateday，whenhercharacterhasbeennearlyruinedbydreadfulstories，ormaderidiculousbyfoolishones。
Whenyouwereallbabiesinlongclothes，somepeopleusedtobelievethattherewerenuggetsofgoldtobepickedupinthestreets，andthatinthefloweryvalleys，flowingwithmilkandhoney，theregrewgrovesofbeet-trees，andforestsofcabbages，andshadybowersofsquash-vines；andtheythoughtthatthroughthesefertilevalleysstrodemenofcuriousmien，wildbanditsandhighwayrobbers，withredflannelshirtsandmanypocketsfilledwithplaying-cardsandrevolversandbowie-knives；andthatwhenyoumetthesefrightfulpersonsandcourteouslyaskedthetimeofday，theywereapttoturnandstabyoutotheheartbywayofresponse。
Now，someofthesethingsweretrue，andsomewerenot，andsomewillneverhappenagain；forthetownsandcitiesnolongerconductthemselveslikeheadstrongyoungtomboysoutonalark，buthavegrownintoancientanddecoroussettlementssometwenty-fiveorthirtyyearsold。
PerhapsCaliforniaisn"treallysointerestingsinceshebegantolearnmanners；butsheisalandofwondersstill，withhersublimemountainsandvalleys；herpreciousmetals；hervineyardsandorchardsoflemonsandoranges，figs，limes，andnuts；hermammothvegetables，eachbigenoughforanewspaperstory；hercelebratedtrees，onthestumpsofwhichdancing-partiesaregiven；hervultures；hergrizzlybears；andherpeople，drawnfromeverynookandcornerofthemap——pink，yellow，blue，red，andgreencountries。
AndthoughthestoryofCaliforniaisnotwritten，inallitsromanticdetails，intheschool-booksofto-day，itisapartofthepoetryofourlateAmericanhistory，fullofstrangeandthrillingscenes，glowingwithinterestanddramaticfire。
Iknowalittlegirlwhocrossedtheplainsinthatgreatungeneraledarmyoffifteenortwentythousandpeoplethatmadethelongandwearyjourneytothelandofgoldin1849。Shetellsherchildrennowofthestrange，longdaysandmonthsintheox-team，passingthroughtheheatanddustofalkalideserts，fordingrivers，andtoilingoversteepmountains。Shetellsthemhowatnightsheoftenusedtolieawake，curledupinhergreyblanket，andhearthementalkingtogetherofthegoldtreasurestheyweretodigfromtheground——treasures，itseemedtoherchildishmind，morepreciousthanthoseofwhichshereadinTheArabianNights。Andfromalittleholeinthecanvascoveroftheoldemigrantwagonsheusedtoseethetiredfathersandbrothers，wornandfootsorefromtheirhardday"stramp，somesleepingrestlessly，andothersguardingthecattleorwatchingforIndians，whowerealwaysexpected，andoftencame；
andthelastthingatnight，whenhereyeswereheavywithsleep，shepeereddreamilyoutintothedarknesstoseethehundredsofgleamingcamp-fires，whichdottedtheplainasfarastheeyecouldreach。
Youwillhavenoticedthatthisfirstweekofcamp-lifewasaquietone，spentmostlybytheyoungpeopleingettingtheiropen-airhomecomfortablyarranged，makingconveniencesofallkinds，becomingacquaintedwiththecanyonsofarastheycould，andridingonceortwicetoneighbouringranchesforhayorprovisions。
Dr。Winshipbelievedinagoodbeginning；and，asthiswasnotaweek"sholiday，butasummercampaign，hewantedhisyoungpeopletogetfullyusedtothesituationbeforeundertakinganyoftheexcitingexcursionsinprospect。So，beforetheweekwasover，theybegantoenjoysound，dreamlesssleepontheirhardstrawbeds，toeattheplainfarewithdecidedrelish，togrowalittlehardyandbrown，andquitestrongandtoughenoughforalongtramporhorsebackride。
Afterareligiousdevotiontocoldcreamforafewnights，Pollyhadsignifiedherterribleintentionof"lettinghernosego。""Idisownit!"shecried，peepinginhertinymirror，andlightinguphertoorosytintswithatallowcandle。"Hideousobjick，Idefythee!Spotandspeckle，yea，burntoacrisp，andshedthyskinafterwards!I
carenot。Indeed，Ishallbewellridofthee，thou——h"m——thou——
well，leopard，forinstance。"
Onebeautifuldayfollowedanother，eachtheexactcounterpartoftheonethathadprecededit；forCaliforniaboysandgirlsneverhavetosay"windandweatherpermitting"fromMarchorApriluntilNovember。
Theyalwaysknowwhattheweatherisgoingtodo；andwhetherthisisanadvantageornotisadifficultmattertosettleconclusively。
NewEnglandboysaffirmthattheywouldn"tliveinacountrywhereitcouldn"trainanydayitfeltlikeit，andCalifornialadsretortthattheyaregladtheirdispositionsarenotruinedbythefreaksofNewEnglandweather。Atallevents，itisaparadiseforwould-becampers，andanyonewhoshouldassertthecontrarywouldmeetwithenergeticoppositionfromtheloyaldwellersinCampChaparral。
Bellreturnedonedayfromawalkwhichshehadtakenbyherself，whiletheothergirlswereoffonsomeerrandwiththeDoctor。Afterluncheonshedrewthemmysteriouslyintothesquaretent，andloweredthecurtains。
"Whatisit?"Pollywhispered，withananxiousexpressionofcountenance。"Haveyoulostyourgoldthimbleagain，oryourtemper，orhaveyoudiscoveredasilvermine?"
"Ihavefound，"sheansweredmysteriously，"themostbeautifullysecretplaceyoueverbeheld。Itwillbejustthespotforustowriteandstudyinwhenwewanttobealone；oritwillevendoforatheatre；anditisscarcelymorethanhalfamileupthecanyon。"
"Howdidyoufindit?"askedMargery。
"AsIwaswalkingalongbythebrookside，Isawasnakemakingitswaythroughthebushes，and——"
"Goodness!"shriekedPolly，"Ishallnotwritethere，thankyou。"
"Goose!Justwaitaminute。Ilookedatit，andfollowedatadistance；itwasaharmlesslittlething；andIthought，forthefunofit，IwouldjustpushblindlyonandseewhatIshouldfind，becauseweareforeverwalkinginthebeatenpath，andIlongforsomethingnew。"
"Abadinstinct，"remarkedMadge，"andonewhichwillgetyouintotrouble，soyoushouldcrushitinitsinfancy。"
"Well，Itookupmydressandploughedthroughthechaparral，untilI
came，inaboutthreeminutesofscratchingandfighting，toanopencircularplaceaboutaslargeasthistent。Itwasexactlyround，whichisthecuriouspartofit；andinthecentrewasonestump，coveredwithmossandsurroundedbygreatwhitetoadstools。HowanyonehappenedtogointhereandcutdownasingletreeIcan"tunderstand，noryethowtheymanagedtobringoutthetreethroughthetangledbrush。Itissostrangethatitseemsasiftheremustbeamysteryaboutit。"
"Certainly，"saidMargerypromptly。"Atragedyofthedarkestkind!
Somecruelwretchhascutdown，intheprideandpompofitbeauty，onesycamore-tree；itsinnocentlife-bloodhasstainedtheground，andgivenbirthtothewhitetoadstoolswhichmarkthespotandtestifytothepurityofthevictim。"
"Well，"continuedBell，impressively，"IknewIcouldneverfinditagain；andIwantedsomuchyoushouldseeitthatItooktheballoftwinewealwayscarry，unrolledit，anddroppedthethreadallthewayalongtothebrookside，likePhrygia，orMelpomene，orAnemone，orwhateverhernamewas。"
"OrArtesia，orPolynesia，orEuthanasia，"interruptedPolly。"I
thinktheladyyoumeanisAriadne。"
"Exactly。Nowwe"lltakepapatoseeit，andthenwe"llfititupasaretreat。Won"titbecharming?We"llcallittheLoneStump。"
"Oh，Ilikethat；itmakesmeshiver!"criedPolly。"I"mgoingtowriteanodetoitatonce。Ahem!Itshallbegin——letmesee-
"Olonelytree，Whatcruel"he"
Didlaytheelow?
Tellusthefacts；
DidcruelaxeAbusetheeso?"
"Sublime!Secondverse，"saidBellslowly，withpausesbetweenthelines:-
"Ordidagopher，Thewickedloafer，Gnawatthybase，And，doingso，Contrivetogo，Andleavenotrace?"
"Ohdear!"sighedMargery；"ifyouwilldoit，waitaminute。
"Otoadstoolswhite，PraygiveuslightUponthequestion。
Didgophergnaw，AndliveinaweOfindigestion?"
"Good!"continuedBell:-
"OrdidamanMaliciousplanThegoodtree"sruin，AndleaveitsoConvenientlow，AseatforBruin?
Fortravellinggrizzlies，youknow。Wemaygothereandseeahungrycreaturemakingastump-speech，whileanadmiringaudienceofgrasshoppersandtarantulasseatthemselvesinacircleonthetoadstools。"
"Charmingprospect!"saidMadge。"Idon"tthinkIcaretovisittheLoneStumporpassmymorningsthere。"
"Nonsense，dearchild；itisjustlikeeveryotherpartofthecanyon，onlyalittlemorelonely。Itisnothalfamilefromcamp，andhardlyadozenstepsfromtheplacewheretheboysgosooftentoshootquail。"
"Verywell，"saidthegirls。"Wemustgothereto-morrowmorning；
andperhapswe"dbetternottelltheboys，——theyaresopeculiar。
Jackwillcertainlyinterferewithusinsomeway，ifhehearsaboutit。"
"Nowletustakeourbooksandrundownbythepoolforanhourortwo，"saidBell。"Papaandtheboysarealloffshooting，andmammaislyingdown。Wecanhaveacool，quiettime；thesunshineissohotherebythetents。"
Accordingly，theydeparted，astheyoftendid，foroneoftheprolongedchatsinwhichschool-girlsarewonttoindulge，andwhichsooften，too，arebutidle，senselesschatter。
Theseyoungpeople，however，hadbeenfortunateinhavingthewisestandmostlovingguardianship，sothatalltheirhappyyoungliveshadbeenspenttogoodpurpose。Theyhadnotshirkedstudy，andsotheirmindswerestockedwithusefulinformation；theyhadreadcarefullyanddigestedthoroughlywhatevertheyhadread，sothattheypossessedagooddealofgeneralknowledge。Thegirlswerebright，sensible，industriouslittlewomen，whotriedtobegood，too，intheold-fashionedsenseoftheword；andfulloffun，nonsense，andchatterastheywereamongthemselves，theyneverforgottobemodestandunassuming。
Theboyswereprettywellinearnestaboutlife，too，withgoodambitionsandgenerousaspirations。TheyhadallbeenstudyingwithDr。Winshipfornearlytwoyears；andthatmeansagreatdeal，forhewasarealteacher，enteringintothelivesofhispupils，sympathisingwiththemineveryway，andleadingthem，throughthestudyofnature，ofhumanbeings，andofGod，toseethebeautyandmeaningoflife。
GeoffreyStrong，ofcourse，wasolderthantherest，havingcompletedhisjunioryearatcollege；butDr。Winship，whowashisguardian，thoughtitwiserforhimtorestayearandcometohiminCalifornia，ashisambitionandenergyhadalreadyledhimintogreaterexertionsthanhisageorstrengthwarranted。HewasnowstudyingmedicinewiththegoodDoctor，butwouldgobacktothe"landofperpetualpie"inthefallandcompletehiscollegecourse。
Asplendidfellowhewas，——soearnest，thoughtful，andwise；sogravelytenderinallhiswaystoAuntTruth，whowastheonlymotherhehadeverknown；sodevotedtoDr。Winship，wholovedhimashisownelderson。
WhatwillGeoffreyStrongbeasaman?Thetwigisbent，anditissafetopredicthowthetreewillincline。Hiswordwillbeasgoodashisbond；hewillbeagoodphysician，forhiseyeisquicktoseesuffering，andhishandreadytorelieveit；littlechildrenwithfeverishcheeksandtiredeyeswilllovetoclasphiscool，strongsand；hewillbegentleasawoman，yetthoroughlymanly，asheisnow，forhehasmadethemostofhisgoldenyouth，andeveryladwhodoesthatwillhaveagoldenmanhoodandagloriousoldage。
AsforPhilipNoble，hewasadear，good，trustworthyladtoo；
kindly，generous，practical，andindustrious；atrifleslowandreserved，perhaps，butfullofcommonsense，——thekindofsensewhich，afterall，ismostuncommon。
Belloncesaid:"ThisisthedifferencebetweenPhilipandGeoffrey，——onedoes，andtheotheris。GeoffistherealSimon-pureidealwhichwepraisePhilipfortryingtobe，"——averygooddescriptionforalittlemaidenwhosebrighteyeshadonlylookedintolifeforsixteensummers。
AndnowwecometoJackHoward，whoneverkeptstilllongenoughforanyonetowriteadescriptionofhim。ToexplainhowhedifferedfromPhiliporGeoffreywouldbelikebringingtheEquatorandtheTropicofCancertogetherforpurposesofcomparison。
Iftherewereahorsebackride，Jackrodethewildestcolt，wasoftenestthrownandleastoftenhurt；ifafishing-party，Jackitwaswhocaughtallthefish，thoughhemademorenoisethananyoneelse，andfollowednoruleslaiddowninTheCompleteAngler。
Hewasveryoftenintrouble；buthismisdemeanourswerethoseofpuremischief，andweregenerallyatonedforwhenitwaspossible。
Heexcelledinallout-of-doorsports。Andindeed，ifhisprudencehadatallkeptpacewithhisability，hemighthavedoneremarkablethingsinalmostanydirection；butheconstantlyovershotthemark，andpeoplelookedtohimforthedazzlingbrilliancyanduncertaintyofameteor，butneverforthesteadyglowofafixedstar。
Justnow，Jackwasagooddealsobered，andappearedathisverybest。TheteachingofDr。PaulandthecompanionshipofGeoffreyhaddonemuchforhim，whiletheillnessofhissisterElsie，whowasthedarlingofhisheart，actedconstantlyasasortofcurbuponhim；
forhelovedherwithalltheardourandpassionwhichhegavetoeverythingelse。YoumightbefearfulofJack"shighspiritsandriotousmirth，ofhisrecklessactionsandheedlessjokes，butyoucouldscarcelykeepfromadmiringtheboy；forhewasbraveandhandsomeandwinsomeenoughtocharmtheverybirdsoffthebush，asAuntTruthacknowledged，aftergivinghimalectureforsomemisdemeanour。
ThethreegirlsmadetheirwayashortdistanceupthecanyontoaplacewhichtheycalledProspectPool，becauseitwassoentirelyshutinfromobservation。
"DearoldGeoff!"saidBell，throwinghershawloverarockandopeninghervolumeofCarlyle。"Hehasgoneallthroughthisforme，andwrittennicelittleremarksonthemargin，——explanationsandthings，andinterrogationswherehethinksIwon"tknowwhatismeantandhadbetterfindout，——blesshisheart!Whathaveyoubrought，Margery?Bytheway，youmustmoveyourseatawayfromthatclumpofpoison-oakbushes；wecan"taffordtohaveanyaccidentswhichwillinterferewithourfun。Wehaveallsortsofnewremedies，butI
preferthattheboysshouldexperimentwiththem。"
"It"sthesoftestseathere，too，"grumbledMargery。"Wemustgettheboystocutthesebushesdown。Why，youhaven"tanybook，youlazyPolly。Areyougoingtosleep，orshallyouchatterandpreventourreading?"
"Neither，"sheanswered。"HereisadoughnutwhichIproposetosenddowntheredpathwayoffate；andhereapencilandpaperwithwhichIamgoingtobeginourround-robinlettertoElsie。"
"That"sgood!ShehasonlyhadnotesfromJackandoneletterfromus，which，ifIrememberright，hadnothinginit。"
"Thanks!Iwroteit，"sniffedBell。
"Well，Imeantithadnonews——noaccountofthings，youknow。"
"No，Iwouldn"tdescendtowritingnews，andIleaveaccountstothebutcher。"
"Stopquarrelling，girls!Thisismyplan:Iwillbegininmyusualrocketystyle，sometimesmaliciouslycalledthePollyolivermethod；
Margerywilltakeupthethreadsedately；Bellwillplungeinwithaburstofenthusiasmandseventeenadjectives，followedbyaverseofpoorpoetry；Geoffwilldothesportiveorinstructive，justashehappenstofeel；andPhilwillwinduptheletterbysomepracticaldetailswhichwillserveasakeytoalltherest。Won"titbeaboxofliterarybonbonsforhertoreadinbed，poordarling!Letmesee!Irepresentthecayennelozenges，sharpbutimpressive；Margerywilldoforjujubepaste，whichIadore，——mild，pleasant，yielding，delicious。"
"Stickyandinsipid!"murmuredMadge，plaintively。
"Notatall，mydear。Bellstandsforthepeppermints；Jackforchocolates，"theladies"delight"；Geoffreyforawine-drop，altogethergood，butsweetestinitsheart；Phil——letmesee!Philislike——whatishelike?"
"Nomorelikecandythanacoldboiledpotato，"saidhissister。
"Heiscandid，"suggestedBell。"Letuscallhimrock-candy，pure，healthful，andfarfromsoft。"
"Ormarshmallow，"saidMargery，"good，buttough。"
"Orcaramel，"laughedPolly；"italwaysstickstoapoint。"
"Thanks，gentlecreatures，"saidavoicefromthebushesontheothersideofthepool，andPhilstalkedoutfromhiscovert，likeawoundeddeer。
"Howlonghaveyoubeeninthere，villain?"criedBell。
"Eversincelunch；butIonlywakedfromasoundsleepsometwentyminutesago。I"veheardamostinstructiveconversation——neverbeenmoreamusedinmylife；don"tknowwhetherIpreferbeingacoldboiledpotatooraladies"-delight!"
"Youhaven"tanychoice，"snappedPolly，atrifleembarrassedathavingbeenoverheard。
"I"mgladitwasmyownsisterwhocalledmeac。b。p。(themostloathsomethinginexistence，bytheway)，becausesistersneverappreciatetheirbrothers。"
"Ididn"tcallyouac。b。p。，"remonstratedMargery。"Isaidyouwerenomorelikecandythanac。b。p。Thereisadifference。"
"Isthere?Mypoorbrainfailstograspit。Butnevermind；I"llforgiveyou。"
"Listenersneverheargoodofthemselves，"sighedPolly。
"Areyouwritingacopy-book，MissOliver?Ididn"twanttolisten；
itwasverypainfultomyfeelings，butIwastoosleepytomove。"
"Andnowourafternoonisgone，andwehavenotreadaword，"sighedlittleMargery。"InevermettwosuchchatterboxesasyouandPolly。"
"Andtohearustalkisaliberaleducation，"retortedPolly。
"Exactly，"saidPhilip，dryly，"Come，I"lltakethebooksandshawls。
It"snearlyfiveo"clock，andweshallhearHopYetblowinghislustydinner-hornpresently。"
"Whydidn"tyougooffshootingwiththeothers?"askedMargery。
"Stayedathomesothey"dgetachancetoshoot。"
"Why，doyoumeanyoualwaysscarethegameaway?"inquiredPolly，artlessly。
"No；ImeanthatIalwaysdoalltheshooting，andtheothersgetdiscouraged。"
"Clasphandsoverthebloodychasm，"saidBell，"andletussmokethepipeofpeaceatdinner。"
PhilipandBellcamethroughthetrees，and，astheynearedthecamp，sawAuntTruthsittingatthedoorofTentChatter，lookingtheverypictureofcomfort，asshedrewherdarning-needleinandoutofanunseemlyrentinoneofDicky"sstockings。MargeryandPollycameupjustbehind，anddroppedintoherlapsomebeautifulbranchesofwildazalea。
"Didyouhaveapleasantwalk，dears?"sheasked。
"Yes，indeed，dearauntie。Now，justholdyourheadperfectlystill，whilewedecorateyoufordinner。WewillmakeUncleDoc"seyesfairlypopwithadmiration。Haveyoubeenlonelywithoutus?"
"Oh，notabit。Youseetherehasbeenagooddealofnoiseabouthere，andIfeltasifIwerenotalone。HopYethasbeenpoundingsoap-rootinthekitchen，andIhearthesoundofPancho"saxeinthedistance，——theDoctoraskedhimtochopwoodforthecamp-fire。WasDickyanytrouble?Whereishe?"
"Why，darlingmother，areyoucrazy?"askedBell。"Ifyouthinkamoment，hewasinthehammockandyouwerelyingdowninthetentwhenwestarted。"