Page:The New-Year's Bargain (1884).djvu/85

 any more careful next time. In two minutes the dead insect was forgotten by everybody but me. I picked him up, you may be sure; and that evening made him a little grave under a partridge-berry vine.

"It was droll to hear the three babies talk together. They had no words in common; but they had fingers to point with, comical little heads to nod and wag, and eyes to explain the meaning of each gesture. So they got on wonderfully. The brown baby's name was Al-a-gon-qua, but 'Sister' called him Ally.

My name Ruth,' she said, 'her name Baby,' speaking very loud to make it easier to understand.

"Ally tried to say it, but couldn't get nearer than 'Tute.' This was stupid; but he was a clever baby, for all that. He could take straight aim with his bow, and bring down a robin or a quail ten yards off. He knew how to find the water-springs. He could climb a tree, and swim like a jolly little polliwog. Fearless as a squirrel, he sprang about the trackless wilderness without