He made the cook bake them some hot corn hoe-cakes and boil them some
eggs; and while she was fixing it, and getting the fresh butter and
buttermilk to add to the meal, Mr. Smith took them to the June
apple-tree, and gave them just as many red apples as they wanted to
eat, and some to take home to Tot. And Dumps told him all about "Old
Billy" and Cherubim and Seraphim, and the old man laughed, and enjoyed
it all, for he had no relatives or friends, and lived entirely alone--
a stern, cold man, whose life had been embittered by the sudden loss
of his loved ones, and it had been many weary years since he had heard
children's voices chatting and laughing under the apple-tree.
After the lunch, which his guests enjoyed very much Mr. Smith had a
little donkey brought out for Dilsey to ride, and, taking Diddie
behind him on his horse, and Dumps in his arms, he started with them
for home.
There was but one saddle, so Dilsey was riding "bareback," and had to
sit astride of the donkey to keep from falling off, which so amused
the children that merry peals of laughter rang out from time to time;
indeed, Dumps laughed so much, that, if Mr. Smith had not held her
tightly, she certainly would have fallen off. But it was not very
funny to Dilsey; she held on with all her might to the donkey's short
mane, and even then could scarcely keep her seat.
Pages:
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147