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。\'
