MERRIMEG AND THE APPLE-SEED ELF
MERRIMEG was sitting in an apple tree in the orchard. She sat there as still as a mouse.
Her mother came to the kitchen door and called: “Merrimeg!”
But Merrimeg sat in the apple tree as quiet as a mouse; and answered never a word.
“Merrimeg!” called her mother. “Where are you?”
Still Merrimeg said nothing. It was not one of her days to be good.
“Come dry the dishes! Come dry the dishes!” called her mother.
But Merrimeg did not want to dry dishes, so she sat in the apple tree among the green leaves and red apples, and said never a word.
Her mother went back into the kitchen, and closed the door behind her.
Then Merrimeg reached out her hand and plucked the biggest and reddest apple near her, and took a great bite out of it.