“Why don't you go faster?” inquired Della rebukingly, as she waited for us in the kitchen doorway.
Mary blushed furiously. “I can't,” she said. “I have a weak back.”
“Turn round,” said the little girl peremptorily, “let me see it!”
Oh! how angry I was. I could have scratched her. Her request, or command, seemed so brutal when I thought of the sensitiveness of my dear little mistress.
I heard Mary making a choking sound in her throat. However, she did as she was told, and then Della who, if rough, is at heart a very kind child, did a very nice thing.
She passed her hand swiftly but gently up and down Mary's back, then she turned her round again and throwing her arms about her neck she kissed her heartily and said, “I'm sorry.”
The two boys stared hard at the girls, then, by common consent, they all walked slowly instead of running to the barn. Della put her arm round Mary's waist. It had not taken them long to get acquainted. My dear little mistress' face just beamed, and I saw that she would like these children.
When we reached the barn, Della went straight to the grain room. There she filled the pockets of her blue cotton dress with oats and cracked corn. Then she led the way to the horse stalls. Oh! how glad the horses were to see those children. They stretched their heads over the door and neighed and whinnied and Della and the boys rubbed and hugged them. As for the pony, he almost went crazy, and coolly opening the door of his stall, Della let him out. He followed her just like a dog, occasionally putting his nose over her shoulder to sniff at the oats in her hand.
The cows were all out to pasture. Della unfastened the calves, and let them play a little about the barn floor. I never saw such extraordinary antics in any young creatures. They were so awkward with their legs and heads—Mary laughed till the tears came in her eyes. After a while Della fastened up the calves, said, “Come on!” and, going out-of-doors, led the way round to the back of the barn, where a big door opened into the barn cellar. She would not go down the staircase, because the pony wanted to go with her.
Mary and the boys followed meekly behind. Della went up to the first pig-pen. The pigs knew her, and began to squeal. She had no food for them, so she got a stick and scratched their backs.