The Yard at Mr. Randon's.
The party traveled on by a winding and very pleasant road among the mountains, for about a mile, and at length they drove up to the door of a pleasant little farm-house in a sort of dell. There was a high hill behind it—overhung with forest trees. There was a spacious yard at the end of the house, with ducks, and geese, and chickens, in the back part of it. There was a large dog lying asleep on the great flat stone step when the wagon came up, but when he heard the wagon coming, awoke, opened his eyes, got up, and walked away. There was a well in the middle of the yard. Beechnut rode round the well, and drove up to the door. Ellen was sitting at the window. As soon as she saw the wagon, she got up and ran to the door.
“How do you do, Ellen!” said Beechnut.
“How do you do, Antonio!” said Ellen, “I am much obliged to you for bringing my brother and sister to see me.”
So saying, she came to the wagon and helped Annie out. Rodolphus, who was on the other side of Beechnut, then handed her his basket, saying, “Here, Ellen, take this very carefully. There are two rabbits in it, and one of them is for you.”
“For me,” said Ellen.
“Yes,” said Annie, “only I am to take care of it for you.”
“Good-by,” said Beechnut. He was just beginning, as he said this, to drive the wagon away.
“Good-by, Beechnut,” said Rodolphus.
“I am much obliged to you for my ride,” said Annie.