Then Papa headed the procession and introduced them, one by one, to old Farmer Brown, and the old man wrung Master John’s hand, and laughed till the tears would come, and then the old red-stained handkerchief must.
The orchards next must be visited, the old Rhode Island greening, from whose branches Papa fell and broke his arm, when climbing up to count the eggs in a Bluebird’s nest; the old russet where his initials were plainly to be seen; the pear-trees laden with fruit, which as young saplings he had planted.
Then came the very same old duck-pond, but those ducks had gone
“Where all good ducks go,”
and a most ill-bred set of fowls had taken possession, who quacked and shook their wet feathers in the children’s faces, in a most offensive manner, and fairly drove them away.
Then came the poultry-yards, where the country geese hissed at the city goslings, and the turkey-cocks gobbled out their doubtful welcome, and the hens clucked the impolite notice that it was time for younglings to go to roost.
The barnyard was lively enough, for it was nearly six, and the milkmaids, with their shining buckets, are drawing streams of milk from the patient, mild-eyed cows. Sorry am I to say that a sad thing occurred here, for Artie was tempted to tickle, with a long straw, the quivering nostrils of Brindle, who, supposing the milkpail had something to do with the affront, gave a sudden kick, which threw over milkmaid, stool, and half-filled bucket. Artie turned whiter than the milk itself, when he saw the mischief he had done, and flushed again as he met Papa’s serious gaze. How different the Brown Farm looked through the misty eyes as Papa began:
“I am ashamed of you, my son. Instantly pick up that pail and apologize for your unpardonable mischief. I repeat that I am ashamed of you.”
It was rather hard for the Keeper to ask the milkmaid’s pardon before Charlie Leonard and his young brothers and sisters, but Papa’s will was law, and besides, the boy was already heartily ashamed of himself, and distressed at the trouble he had caused, so he made his apology in so earnest a manner that the tender heart of the milkmaid was touched, and she heartily forgave him, and assured him, with Irish warmth,—