THE LITTLE GIRL LOOKED FROM HER MOTHER TO HER GRANDMOTHER
“Oh, I am glad it isn’t a secret any longer. I’ll tell Polly to-morrow!” she exclaimed, as her mother drew her down into her lap.
Then there was a little more talk about the swing, and Roxy told her mother about the tiny bantam chickens, and that Roland had brought her as far as the bridge with the gray ponies. “I won’t forget about the bridge again,” she declared earnestly, and her mother said:
“No one means to forget a promise; but we must think of some way to remind you of this one.”
“I know a way!” declared Grandma Miller. “Just wait a moment,” and she went briskly across the porch into the house.
“What way do you suppose Grandma means?” questioned Roxy; but her mother declared that she could not imagine. “Unless Grandma means to tie a very long string to you,” and at this Roxy laughed happily.
“Here is something, Roxy, that will make you remember not to go beyond the bridge, and to keep whatever promise you make! Hold out your left hand,” said Grandma Miller, and Roxy promptly obeyed, and Grandma slipped a gold ring on the little girl’s forefinger. “It just fits!” she said smilingly. “I thought it would! Now, Roxana,” and Grandma Miller’s voice grew serious, “whenever you look at that ring remember that it means a number of things: first of all it means: keep a promise; and besides that it means keep your temper; it is always a silly thing to get angry.”
“Yes’m! It’s a lovely ring!” said Roxy, sliding from her mother’s lap, and standing close beside Grandma Miller. “I’ve wanted a ring, and this is so pretty!” and she held out her hand and looked admiringly at the gold ring with its chased pattern of roses. “Thank you, Grandma; I couldn’t forget now,” she added; and when a little later she went upstairs she again fastened the white signal, meaning “Come over as soon as you can,” to the green shutter, and went happily to bed eager for the morning to come when she could tell Polly about the Hinham girls and show her this wonderful ring that was to help Roxy remember her promises and keep her temper.
Polly appeared in good season the next morning, and listened smilingly to the story of Roxy’s visit, admired the pretty chased ring, and asked Mrs. Delfield’s permission to take Roxy on a fishing excursion.