Clematis was as proud of that, as Deborah was with her first rat. In the afternoon Mrs. Alder found her a pair of small overalls. These covered her dress and kept her clean.
It was a happy child that came in at evening. She had worked steadily, in the hot sun and the breeze, and had finished all the carrots.
“You don’t know how much help that has been, Clematis,” said Mr. Alder. “It tires my back to weed carrots, and now they are all done.”
“I will weed tomorrow, too,” she said, happy with her praise.
There was plenty to do, as there always is on a farm, and Clematis was busy all day.
“I don’t see how she learns so quickly,” exclaimed Mr. Alder, when he was telling Mr. Ladd about her.
“I suppose it is because she naturally loves it,” he answered. “It seems too bad that she couldn’t live here in the country, she seems to love it so.”
“Yes. I wish Mrs. Alder was better, and took to children more. Clematis is clumsy in the house, but out in the garden she is right at home.”
So the days went on, with sunshine and clouds, and Saturday came nearer and nearer.
“Clematis, what have you been doing to the calendar in your room?” asked Mrs. Alder, at dinner on Friday.