XII. “might I Have A BIt Of Earth?”

           Maryransofastthatshewasratheroutofbreathwhenshereachedherroom.Herhairwasruffledonherforeheadandhercheekswerebrightpink.Herdinnerwaswaitingonthetable,andMarthawaswaitingnearit.

           “Tha’sabitlate,”shesaid.“Wherehastha’been?”

           “I’veseenDickon!”saidMary.“I’veseenDickon!”

           “Iknewhe’dcome,”saidMarthaexultantly.“Howdoestha’likehim?”

           “Ithink—Ithinkhe’sbeautiful!”saidMaryinadeterminedvoice.

           Marthalookedrathertakenabackbutshelookedpleased,too.

           “Well,”shesaid,“he’sth’bestladaseverwasborn,butusneverthoughthewashandsome.Hisnoseturnsuptoomuch.”

           “Ilikeittoturnup,”saidMary.

           “An’hiseyesissoround,”saidMartha,atrifledoubtful.“Thoughthey’reanicecolor.”

           “Ilikethemround,”saidMary.“Andtheyareexactlythecoloroftheskyoverthemoor.”

           Marthabeamedwithsatisfaction.

           “Mothersayshemade’emthatcolorwithalwayslookin’upatth’birdsan’th’clouds.Buthehasgotabigmouth,hasn’the,now?”

           “Ilovehisbigmouth,”saidMaryobstinately.“Iwishminewerejustlikeit.”

           Marthachuckleddelightedly.

           “It’dlookrarean’funnyinthybitofaface,”shesaid.“ButIknoweditwouldbethatwaywhentha’sawhim.Howdidtha’liketh’seedsan’th’gardentools?”

           “Howdidyouknowhebroughtthem?”askedMary.

           “Eh!Ineverthoughtofhimnotbringin’’em.He’dbesuretobring’emiftheywasinYorkshire.He’ssuchatrustylad.