Chapter 1 of The Silver Bear. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by April H. The Silver Bear by Egna Adelaide Brown. Chapter 1. The Brown Cottage. Lucy and Dora Merrill lived in a little brown cottage on the corner of the main street of a New England town. Across from the house was a drugstore. In November when the nights were cold, the drugists put hot water bottles in his window so the passerby would think how comfortable one would feel tucked into bed near his toes when the holidays were coming. The window showed boxes of candy and bright holly berries. When it was time to clean house, mothballs and camphor reminded people to put away their moths and winter clothes. But when this story begins, it was early summer and the window held a number of sherbet glasses filled with soft white stuff like that on Christmas trees with red cherries on top. Lucy and Dora considered this quite the most delightful display the drugists had ever shown. On the other corner of the street stood a long, low brick building used as a printing office. The children's father was foreman of the printing room. Nearest, its big windows was a wonderful machine into one end of which a man fed blank pieces of paper. At the other end, they came out as neatly printed in folded pamphlets. The children sometimes saw their father directing one or another of the dozen busy working men, or sometimes he was seated at the big lino type machines across the room. A machine which Lucy and Dora believed could almost think for itself. It did such wonderful things. Each of the little girls owned a thin metal strip forming a single line of print made by this machine. Lucy's strip had her name Lucy S. Merrill and Dora's red Dora Merrill. The letters on these strips were all backwards so as to make it read the right way when the type was used for printing. You will see how this must be if you hold a book up to a mirror. The children also owned an indelible ink pad and they used these metal strips to mark their names on their underclothes and handkerchiefs. Farther down the street were more shops and then the country began again until it came to a big city a few miles off. And where Main Street stretched away on the other side of the Brown Cottage, there were some doctor's offices, two garages, a church, and some beautiful big houses all the way up the Long Hill. Lucy and Dora went to that church and one reason why they liked it was because their Uncle Dan sang in its choir. All along the two streets, which the children could see from the Brown Cottage, were great elms and the houses were not packed tightly together but stood apart in little yards with pretty flower beds. Farther up the hill around the big houses, the gardens were very lovely indeed. The Merrill Cottage had been built a long time. Over 100 years ago, it was a farmhouse and the smooth wide street before it was only a narrow country road. When you went into the cottage, it was into the tiniest hall ever seen, only about a yard square. There was just space to step in and then one really had to shut the door immediately so there would be room to go somewhere else. The ceiling was so low that even a person who wasn't very tall could easily touch it. Directly before the entrance, Rosa Stare so steep that going up was like climbing a ladder and this stair led to two rooms, one where Lucy and Dora slept and the other belonging to Uncle Dan.  A castle before which walked ladies in queer old fashioned dresses and a park with deer and swans. This paper was as old as the house and Mrs. Merrill was very proud of it. On opening the door at the left of the little square hall, you found yourself in the parlor where the floor was painted dark green and the walls covered with a pretty pink and white paper. At the three windows hung clean muslin curtains and while the furniture was rather shabby and mourn, it was the kind that looked as though people enjoyed using it. The stove that heated the parlor was clear but nice for it was not made of metal but of grey soapstone and was open all across the front so it was just like having a fire on the earth. Once a man who came to see Mr. Merrill on business wanted to buy that stove and offered him a perfectly new shiny iron one in its place but Mr. Merrill would not sell it. On cold nights, he liked to sit before it and popcorn for little girls. Besides the stove, the room contained a piano and a case full of books. The piano was there because everybody in the family liked to gather around it and sing and the books because Mr. Merrill liked them and wanted the children to have them to read. He was also very particular about their spelling. Being a printer, he understood that it makes a good deal of trouble if you put into a word a letter which doesn't belong there or for that matter, leave or now. From the parlor, a door opened into the kitchen which was always warm and sunny whenever the sun shone. From the kitchen, you could also step into the wee front hall through a door under the stairs. The last door in this hall opened into the bedroom where Mr. and Mrs. Merrill slept. At the top of the cellar stairs was another tiny entry where the refrigerator lived and where Lucy and Dora kept their gardening tools. Behind the parlor and opening from the kitchen was the bathroom. And if this seems to you a queer place to put a bathroom, you must remember that this was a very old house. And as Mrs. Merrill said, it was much better to have a bath in an inconvenient place than to have none at all. End of Chapter 1, Recording by April H. Chapter 2 of The Silver Bear. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by JKT76. The Silver Bear by Edna Adelaide-Brown. Chapter 2. How Dora came to live with Lucy. Most little girls are very anxious to have a baby brother or sister, and most of them, when the wish comes true, are surprised that the baby isn't big enough or strong enough to play. But after the first disappointment, there are nice things about having anyone so little and cunning and helpless to love when another surprise comes very soon, when the baby, in its turn, begins to love back.  Strange to say, Lucy Merrill was one of the very few little girls who didn't have this experience. Her sister came to her just the right size. It was four years ago when Dora came, but Lucy remembered very well the September morning when she saw a big red automobile standing before the drugstore across the street. A great many cars stopped there during the date, but this one attracted Lucy's attention. To begin with, it was unusually large and fast, and of a bright red color, which was enough to make it conspicuous anywhere. And afterwards, Uncle Dan said that it looked like the chariot of fire in the Bible. He and Lucy spoke of it by that name. Its dusty appearance showed that it had traveled a long way, and at the back, strapped on tightly, were four extra tires. Lucy had never before seen a car with more than two. Along both running boards were fitted curious cases like trunks, and inside were two large leather suitcases. The number on the rear showed that the car came from California. Everyone who passed the automobile glanced curiously at it, but Lucy was most interested when a pretty little girl about four years old who sat in front were alone except for her doll. When Lucy first saw the car, the little girl was evidently tired of waiting. She twisted and turned and wriggled in a seat, and finally stood up looking around as though hoping to find somebody she knew. Lucy slipped out of her yard and went across the street. The little girl gazed at her seriously, and then held out her doll for Lucy to see. Lucy climbed on the running board, and the two looked at each other. What is her name, Lucy asked? Just Jane, said the little girl. Mine is Susie Mary Pretty, said Lucy. Let me see her. Well, asked the little girl. Lucy ran over to her house to get Susan Mary, and when she came back, the jug was standing by the car. Lucy knew him very well. He often gave her peppermints. Look here, Lucy, he said as soon as she came out. Do you want to take this little girl over to your house for an hour or so? The man she came with is sick. Yes, please, Mr. Giddings, said Lucy. Do you want to go with Lucy and see her toys, Mr. Giddings asked the little girl. What's your name, honey? Dora, said the child, immediately holding out her hands to be lifted from the car. Mr. Giddings set her gently on her feet. There, you ran along with Lucy, he said.  You keep the baby over there till he feels better. When Lucy brought the little girl into the clean kitchen where her mother was cooking, Mrs. Merrill looked at them kindly. Take off her coat and bonnet, Lucy, she said, and then you may butter two slices of bread and fill two glasses with milk. Lucy took off the little white hat and blue silk coat and looked admiringly at the pretty white frock underneath.  All that mourning the red car stood outside the drugstore, and when Mrs. Merrill came home for dinner, his wife sent him to ask Mr. Giddings what the trouble was. Lucy was afraid that Dora would have to leave, but her father came back looking rather serious. Guess we'll have company for dinner, he said as he opened the door.  After dinner, Dora took a nap on the sofa and woke Rested to play with Lucy. At about five, Lucy saw the big automobile going slowly down the street. She thought it odd that the man at the wheel should be Mr. Modernman, the tall policeman who usually stood in the square, but just then her father came out of the drugstore. After talking a minute with Mr. Giddings, he crossed to his own house, and in his hand was one of the suitcases which had been in the red car. Lucy was too small herself and too delighted to have a playmate to think it odd that the suitcase was brought up into her room, and that presently her mother took from it from a little night dress and began to undress Dora. All Lucy cared about was that the little girl was tucked into her bed to spend the night. Now Lucy knew that the sick man who came into the drugstore for help did not get well. The policeman in Massachusetts and California tried to find out about Dora, but all they could learn was that the man who owned the car was James Brent. When he left his home in California, there was no child with him, and nobody with whom the police could get in touch had any idea who Dora was nor how she had a chance to be traveling beneath St. Massachusetts with Mr. Brent. Dora herself could tell nothing. She did not even know her last name. The little garments in the suitcase were all of fine material and beautifully made but quite unmarked, and the child talked only of Mrs. Katie, Cousin Jim and Rover with occasional demands to be taken into the big car. For a long time, people tried hard to find out who Dora was, but nobody could tell them. She stayed on and on at Lucy's house, and after a while, it seemed that she had always been there. Nobody remembered now that her real name wasn't Meryl, and it wasn't often that Lucy's parents remembered that she wasn't their own child, so warm a place to little Dora make for herself in their hearts. She was a sunny, affectionate little thing who at once made herself one of the family and claimed to share of their love. End of Chapter 2, Recording by JKT76 Chapter 3 of The Silver Bear This is a LibriVox recording. While LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Silver Bear by Edna Adelaide-Brown Chapter 3, The Sunday School Picnic On the day our story really begins, Lucy woke very early. Even before the first electric car came down the hill, which it usually did about six. But the sun was already up, and none of the robins had sore throats. If they had, they couldn't possibly have been singing so hard. Lucy listened to the birds just for that one sleepy moment before she was really wide awake. But the very instant she knew that the night was gone, she jumped out of bed and ran to the open window. Yes, the day was to be pleasant. Down Elm Street, she could see how fresh and green Mr. Sharp's garden looked. Every leaf was wet with dew, and the sunlight fell in slanting lines which made it seem prettier than at noon. Lucy drew a long breath of satisfaction. This was the day chosen for the Sunday School Picnic and had the sky been acting like a watering pot, but good many children in Westmore would have been disappointed. Is it pleasant? Dora asked, sleepily. Yes, said Lucy, and we'd better get up. We must help Mother pack the lunch. In a second, Dora was awake and out of bed. The two began to dress in the clean garments laid ready the night before, but the white frocks were not to go on because accidents sometimes happen when an excited little girl's eating breakfast just before starting on a picnic. Besides, said Lucy, we wouldn't want to leave the dishes for Mother to do and we couldn't wash them in our white dresses. Dora agreed.  Dora was only eight, and Lucy being nine was fussy. Older sisters often are about the way Dora's clothes looked. Lucy was brushing her hair.  Dora's was cut short at her neck, and all she had to do was run a comb through it and tie the longest lock with a ribbon on top. This took two minutes, while Lucy had to spend at least ten on hers. If she didn't, Uncle Dan would tease her by pretending it was a bird's nest and reciting a rhyme he had found in a book. There was an old man who said hush. I perceived a young bird in this bush. When asked where is it, I said I can't see it. It's four times as big as the bush. Lucy didn't consider this at all funny. Dora, who did think it a joke, couldn't decide what it meant. When she asked Uncle Dan he said he didn't write it, so he couldn't be expected to know. This picnic morning Dora's stockings went on as nicely as anyone could wish, and Lucy's curls fell meekly into place. Both looked happy as they put on their old gingham dresses and ran down to the kitchen where Mrs. Merrill was busy. Dora set the table, she said, and Lucy, bring the butter and milk from the refrigerator. Mrs. Merrill smiled as she spoke, and whisked open the oven door for a peep inside. A delicious spicy smell came out. Mother's making cookies, Dora sang. Mother's making cookies. Yes, for your lunch, Dora child, be quick. Father and Uncle Dan must have breakfast. Dora stopped dancing and flew madly about the table, putting forks and plates and spoons in place. The table was covered with a white cloth and stood near the screen door opening on the backyard. A green grass plot formed the center and flowers boarded the grass. Uncle Dan and Lucy and Dora took care of the flowers. On a June morning it was pleasant to eat breakfast and look out at bees and butterflies making early visits to the Shirley Poppies. When Lucy had brought the butter and milk from the refrigerator she helped Dora finish setting up the table. Everything was ready when Father and Uncle Dan came in. Uncle Dan had been out to get a morning paper. Pity about your picnic, Lucy, he said solemnly. Uncle Dan was always joking. Heavy snow and extreme cold followed by high winds. Snow gasped Lucy, quite horrified. Uncle Dan laughed Dora. Does it say so in the paper? Doesn't it? Teased Uncle Dan holding the paper so she cannot reach it. Oh, I made a mistake. That was for December 28th. This is June, isn't it? Lucy's face again became smiling and Dora looked over Uncle Dan's shoulder long enough to see that the weather corner of the paper said continued fair, not much change in temperature. After breakfast Mr. Merrill kissed the little girls and gave them each a twenty-five cent piece. To spend just as you like, he said, for candy or popcorns, whatever you choose. They don't need it, John, said Mrs. Merrill. The Sunday school provides the car and ice cream and they'll have their lunch. Dora will find a use for it, said Mr. Merrill as he shut the screen door behind him. Then Uncle Dan went to his work and he gave them each a shining dime. They'll both be sick tomorrow, Dan, said Mrs. Merrill, but she smiled as she saw how pleased the children were. After the dishes were washed, Lucy and Dora made their bed and Uncle Dan's bed and then it was time to put on the white dresses. Mrs. Merrill brushed their hair and tied their ribbons, a red one for Lucy with her dark curls and brown eyes and a blue one for Dora's fair hair to match her eyes. Do we look nice, mother? Dora asked when they were ready.  Now remember, Dora and Lucy, you must be little ladies. I don't want anybody to think my little girls don't know how to behave themselves properly. Do everything Miss Page tells you and if you see anybody who gets left out of the games, try to make her feel happy. You must help the others have a good time too, you know. You each have more lunch than you can possibly eat, so offer Miss Page some of your cookies and if there's any child who didn't bring enough, go shares. The Sunday school was to have special cars in the square at half past eight. It was only a quarter after when Lucy and Dora reached the place. But the cars were on the track and ever so many children were already seated or standing in groups. There's Miss Page, exclaimed Lucy, happily, catching sight of the teacher to whose class she and Dora belong. Good morning, Lucy. Good morning, Dora, said Miss Page. As she saw their happy faces, isn't it a lovely day? Lucy, come in with me, called Alice Harper. There's room on the seat for both you and Dora. Yes, jump in there, said Miss Page. All my classes together and everybody has come but Mildred. Lucy and Dora climbed aboard the car. There were eight little girls in Miss Page's class and they all thought they had the very nicest teacher in the whole Sunday school. Besides Lucy and Dora, there were Mildred Monroe, Alice Harper, Mary Barrows, Gladys Parr, Iris Whitman, and Grace Benson. Alice and Grace lived in big houses on the hill and their fathers went every day to business in Boston. Mary's father kept a little shoe store in Main Street. Gladys' father worked in the cotton mill. Iris had no father. And Mrs. Whitman went out washing for people or helping them scrub and clean their houses. She worked very hard to keep a home for Iris and the three younger children. Iris cannot always come to Sunday school and she could hardly ever stop to play after school because she had to look out for the children while her mother was working. Mildred's father was a conductor on the railroad and Mildred and her mother could go into Boston whenever they wished without paying any fare because Mr. Monroe had a pass for his family. The other girls thought this a wonderful privilege but Mildred did not get taken to Boston very often. Before long, Mr. Thorne, who was the rector of the church, came into the square and when they saw him, all Miss Page's girls began to giggle partly because they were so happy and partly because they had never seen Mr. Thorne dressed as he was. He didn't look as he did on Sundays. He didn't look like their minister at all because he wore a flannel shirt, tennis shoes and bright blue tie in an old gray suit. Clearly Mr. Thorne was going on a picnic and probably it was as fester for him to get into old clothes as it was for the little girls to wear their white dresses. People's ideas of fun differ. Mr. Thorne walked about the square speaking to all the grown people and calling the boys and girls by name. Motormen seemed to feel picnicky too and joked and laughed with the boys crowded into the front seats. Presently they rang their gongs furiously to warn anyone who was late and then the long bars on either side of the car were put down so that it wouldn't be easy for children to fall out. Mr. Thorne ran into the middle of the square and looked up each of the six streets leading into it. Then he gave the signal. The bells clanged, the cars started and the children began to laugh and cheer. End of Chapter 3 Chapter 4 of The Silver Bear This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The Silver Bear by Edna Adelaide Brown Chapter 4 World's End Pawn World's End Pawn was the place appointed for the picnic and Dora was anxious to see what it was like. Naturally the end of the world must be a most interesting spot. The first part of the way was only the road to the big city six miles distant and this was not new to any of the Westmore children but when they had jolted and climbed their way through its crowded streets and through a long stretch of dusty tenement houses they came to a river bedside which lay the car track. Back in the city people had not noticed the picnic cars. If they saw them at all they only glanced at the signs special and then looked away impatient because it was not the car for which they were waiting but when the picnic reached the river it reached a place where a big car packed with children singing and waving flags was very exciting.  The young people in a passing automobile laughed and shouted good luck and even the dogs ran out to bark in a friendly and excited way as though they knew these were no ordinary electric cars. Overhead the sky was as blue as June alone can make it and the fields were starred with daisies. Over the grass the wind swept and waved as though the feet of fairies passed and this went on for a long distance. Then the way grew even more mysterious. Leaving the real street the cars ran on a road of their own right through a wood. On either side tall trees grew out of ground brown with pine needles. Only at the left one began to catch glimpses of something silvery. Just a glimmer between tree trunks. The boys shouted but Dora sat quite still for was it not the end of the world to which he was coming? Presently the bits of silver grew bigger and wider. The trees moved farther apart and a sandy beach appeared. The cars stopped. The children did not wait to have the bars pushed up. They dived under them. Miss Page told her class to put their boxes and wraps together on one of the long tables which stood in the grove. Then they might do as they liked. At twelve everybody was to have lunch. Lucy ran down to the water's edge but Dora stopped under the trees just where the beach began. Where was it this end of the world? Before her lay a lovely little round pond all bright and shining under the sun. Beyond it rose softly rounded hills into which the little lake exactly fitted just as though somebody had measured the space it was to occupy and fastened it in like a diamond into its setting. But where was the end? Across on one of the hills a road went up to the sky. Dora could see the trees on either side right where it reached the very top of the hill and it certainly looked as though it didn't stop there at all but went on and on as roads have a way of doing. Dora stood looking so hard at the pond and the hills that she did not see the other girls down on the beach. Well Dora said Mr. Thorne's voice what do you think of the world's end pond? I don't see the end said Dora before she had time to be surprised that Mr. Thorne was so near. I want to know what lies beyond. Mr. Thorne smiled but it was such a kind smile that Dora didn't feel he was laughing at her it wasn't that sort of a smile at all rather one as though Mr. Thorne was also wondering Dora did you ever learn at school that the earth is round? Dora said she did Mr. Thorne took a plain gold ring from his hand Let's see, he said a circle being round really doesn't begin nor end anywhere, does it? We can't find a place on this ring where it begins, can we? But we can take any spot on it and just say it begins there and then you see it will have to end in the very same place and so with world's end pond if the world ends here a little Dora just so truly it is the beginning of the world as well Dora smiled she hadn't known Mr. Thorne could understand like that and so it goes on and on she said looking across the lake Exactly said Mr. Thorne the smile again in his eyes there is no place where we can find what is beyond the end of the earth because just there is where the earth begins Mr. Thorne looked as though he was thinking hard but just then Lucy discovered that Dora was not with the girls and came running to fetch her Miss Page is going to walk around the point with us she called the boats are over there just around a little point through the woods across from where the cars stopped stood a wooden building where candy and lemonade were for sale and boats to let the older boys pounced upon the robots immediately but at the dock was one quite large motor launch the man who owned it was willing to take people around the lake Lucy and Dora looked at each other this seemed a desirable use for some of that gift money we must ask Miss Page said Lucy let us go too Grace said Alice Harper it will be such fun to sail around the lake Miss Page was talking to the boatman and presently she invited all her class to go on the launch when it came Dora's turn to be helped onto the boat the man picked her up and swung her over onto the stern there you are he said you wait just about as much as my little girl when the launch started Dora found herself next to the man who held the steering wheel before the prow the water divided into two even waves and behind the boat lay a broad strip which looked all soapy because of the many bubbles the propeller stirred up there were no houses on that side of the world's end pond only trees coming down to the water's edge and big grey rocks some of the rocks were partly covered and the boat which was named the Swift did not get very close to land for fear of running on a stone across the pond some pretty green farm fields broke the woods and came down to the shore the launch passed one point where five red cows stood knee deep in the water off the speech grew weeds which the boatman told Dora was called rushes above them darted dragonflies with gauzy wings that moved so fast they were only a blur one lighted on the Swift and Dora saw the bright blue spots on its back my little girl calls them darning needles said the man Dora laughed at this funny name she must remember to tell Uncle Dan Miss Page sat between Iris and Mary Dora thought she looked very lovely all in white except for a bright rose sweater Dora decided that when she was a young lady she would have one just like it by and by the Swift came back to the pier and took another party the boats were as popular as ever and some of the young men had thought to bring bathing suits they were having a fine time swimming and diving there was so much to see and to watch that Dora quite forgot she had been feeling hungry but she was glad when Mr. Thorn pulled a rope near the boathouse and a bell in a tree began to ring that was the signal for lunch some of the people prefer to eat at long tables in the grove but Miss Page and her girls sat in a group under one of the big trees one can only sit on a chair at home and it is best to seize a chance to use a rock or a pine needle cushion where is Iris? asked Miss Page the chattering girls stopped opening their lunchboxes Iris had been with them only a moment ago we can't eat without her said Miss Page jumping up where has she gone? Lucy, Grace and Alice also left their lunches to search for Iris among the many people in the grove presently Miss Page came back looking quite troubled I can't find her, she said didn't any of you see which way she went? Iris is over by the boats said Lucy running up she didn't bring any lunch why I have more than I can eat exclaimed Miss Page mother packed me an enormous luncheon so have I, so have I cried every one of the girls show me where she is Lucy said Miss Page while they were gone Alice took a paper napkin and laid on it a chicken sandwich Grace put a jelly one beside it and everyone added something Nora contributed two cookies and a little cake for her share and Lucy's Miss Page came back holding Iris by one hand while Lucy held the other though Iris was smiling she looked rather tearful Benny had the earache yesterday and Mrs. Whitman was up all night with him said Miss Page she and Iris forgot about packing a lunch it is lucky for me for I hate to take food home from a picnic Iris did not speak as she sat down but Grace patted her hand and Mildred her shoulder and little Dora who was the youngest in the class smiled anxiously at her there was plenty of luncheon for Iris presently one of the big boys came around with a basket perfectly filled with ice cream cones vanilla, chocolate and strawberry everybody might have two somebody must have been very busy filling those cones for all the young men in Mr. Thorn's class were going about with baskets after lunch people lay around on the pine needles and Mr. Hooper, the Sunday school superintendent told a funny story it was really very funny and the children enjoyed it as much as the grown-ups then Mrs. Proctor's class of boys gave a dramatic reading of puss in boots poor puss and enormous rubber boots on a June day looked uncomfortable and deserved applause after the reading Mr. Hooper called some of the choir boys together and with them to lead people sang all sorts of songs until the sun grew less warm and they could play games again the boys played baseball and the girls ran potato races and obstacle races and the older people worked hard helping the fun along Lucy enjoyed the races but Dora, who was not as strong was soon contented just to sit on the bank and look at the world's end pond she wanted to look hard so when she was at home again she would only have to think there it would lie before her Dora was only eight but she had discovered a rather wonderful secret that every lovely thing in life is always ours if we have ever seen it or it has ever happened to us then it is ours any time we want it just for the thinking End of Chapter 4 Chapter 5 of The Silver Bear This is a LibriVox recording while LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The Silver Bear by Edna Adelaide-Brown Chapter 5 Stars and Things When the Picnicars reached Westmore that evening Mr. Merrill was in the square to meet them quite a few fathers had come downtown because the party was later than expected and the mothers were beginning to wonder what had happened Lucy and Dora were glad to see their father they said goodbye to Miss Page and the other girls and then each took one of his hands along beside him even after an old day picnic they were not too tired to skip When they reached the Brown Cottage Mrs. Merrill and Uncle Dan were sitting out in the backyard enjoying the Long June Twilight well did you have a nice time ask their mother and why are you so late I thought the cars were to start back at half past five people didn't come explained Lucy putting down her hat and sweater herself on her father's knee Dora had already climbed to Uncle Dan's lap she and Uncle Dan were great friends then said Lucy after everybody was supposed to be on the car and we had started Mrs. Carol found that two of her boys weren't there so we had to stop and call they answered and after a while they came through the woods Mr. Thornt said everybody must stay on the cars till we were counted some of the teachers didn't go so there were some who didn't have anybody to see that they came back I wish you had gone mother I couldn't said Mrs. Merrill my kitchen stove was so gummed up that I didn't have grace enough to use it any longer without a thorough cleaning I wish Uncle Dan had come said Dora Uncle Dan had other fish to fry said their young uncle fish repeated Lucy who always thought Uncle Dan meant exactly what he said sure said Uncle Dan that's why your mother had to clean the stove Mrs. Merrill sniffed Dan she said I wish you content yourself with talking so the children could understand you you understand don't you Dora asked Uncle Dan Dora smiled sleepily Uncle Dan never puzzled her as he did Lucy she understood him very well there were cows walking in the water and over the rushes a lot of sewing machines were flying around sewing machines exclaimed Mrs. Merrill what is the child talking about that's right said Uncle Dan I've often seen the air black with them for goodness sake Dan said his sister you're the worst boy I ever saw Molly you brought me up said Uncle Dan tickling Dora to make her squeal it's a lot to be responsible for said Mrs. Merrill what do you and Dora mean with your sewing machines just big flies with lace wings exclaimed Lucy I guess it was darning needles said Dora the man called them something funny oh said Mrs. Merrill and then she laughed sewing machines is good enough for us isn't it Dora asked Uncle Dan the thunder bugs over there in the grass Dora smiled this was a favorite joke of her uncles once when she was a very little girl he had told her that the fireflies were lightning bugs and she mistook the name what did you spend your money for asked Mrs. Merrill candy yes said Lucy I bought candy but I gave part to Dora and the others Dora gave all her money to the three little their teacher wasn't with them and they wanted so much to go on the motorboat around the lake Dora thought she'd like them to know how nice it was I knew Dora would find a use for that quarter said Mr. Merrill Uncle Dan patted her head Mrs. Carol had a lady with her said Lucy not a lady who lives in Westmore but somebody from far away she kept looking at Dora and looking at her and then she asked what her name was and after that she asked what mother's name was I said it was Mary Syme Mrs. Merrill gave a little exclamation what did the lady say then she asked quite sharply nothing said Lucy only that Dora reminded her of somebody Molly said Mr. Merrill it's time these children went to bed they've had a hard day yes they must go said their mother Dan you put Dora down and everything to stay is because you keep her Uncle Dan always pretended to be terribly afraid of his sister he set Dora on her feet at once hustle he said she'll have my scalp if you aren't in bed in five minutes nonsense said Mrs. Merrill they must both have a bath Lucy you are quicker than Dora get undressed and see if he can be down by the time I fill the tub does either of you want any supper Lucy said she didn't I'm not hungry said Dora but I think there's a grasshopper down my back I sort of feel it hopping I hope not said her mother grasshopper stains are dreadful to get out of white clothes Mrs. Merrill followed Lucy into the house but Dora forgetting the grasshopper lingered a moment leaning against her uncle's shoulder and looking up at the stars she loved Uncle Dan dearly he had been only 17 and only 17 when Lucy's chariot of fire brought Dora to them four years ago of course he was quite grown up now but Mrs. Merrill treated him as though he was still the motherless little brother she had taken care of since he was a baby Uncle Dan pretended he did not like this but Dora knew he did she looked up at the soft sky where specks of gold were beginning to show the sky was still blue and at night the stars looked blue also did you know the stars have names Uncle Dan she asked Miss Page told me so what is the name of this big one overhead Uncle Dan looked up couldn't say he replied but I'll find out Dora I'll find out even if I have to ask a policeman Dora laughed and hugged him for good night she knew a way better than that in the children's corner at the Westmore Public Library was a book about the stars that would be easier than asking a fat policeman who was supposed to be on duty merely during the day it was not probable he would want to be bothered about things that showed only at night when Dora went Uncle Dan and Father Merrill were left alone in the coolness of the backyard I wonder said Mr. Merrill who that lady was I should let that alone replied Dan only said Mr. Merrill thinking aloud it wouldn't be right to let slip anything that might be to Dora's advantage Dan grunted Dora comes of nice people said Mr. Merrill slowly she has pretty notions and ideas right way of looking at things she's quick at her books too I can't see that she needs any more than she's likely to have growled Dan if her people have money they could do more for her than I ever can they couldn't love her any more than you and Molly have done all these years and that's what counts to a little child said Dan shortly the trouble is that she isn't going to stay a child of course she's like my own and anything I do for one shall be done for both but there's another side to it what about the people she really belongs to from their point of view it isn't right to lose any chance of finding them oh you do as you like said Dan getting up and turning toward the gate Dora's happy here she may not be if you rake up her relations if she's got any the gate shut behind Dan and Mr. Merrill sat in the dark until he heard his wife come downstairs then he went into the house Mrs. Merrill was in her bedroom looking into a box she had taken from the closet when her husband saw what she was doing he knew that she was troubled for the box contained the clothes Dora wore when she came to them that day in the big automobile but as Mr. Merrill came in his wife put everything back again Dora is ours she said just as though Mr. Merrill said she wasn't and this was unfair for he had not spoken one word we adopted her by law and no law can take her away no law of man agreed Mr. Merrill but it might not be right to keep her if her folks did turn up and could do more for her than we can teach her to cook and sew and keep house and tell the truth and behave like a self-respecting girl said Mrs. Merrill you can give her good food and an education through the high school Lucy loves her like a sister and I don't blame Lucy one might for what she said about my name the child never thinks of Dora not being her sister Dora will have all the chance to grow up in a clean decent home that any child needs and you better let well enough alone said, observed Mr. Merrill Dan, said Molly Merrill is daffy over Dora he thinks the sun rises and sets for that child his judgment concerning her isn't worth a pin if Dora isn't completely spoiled it won't be Dan's fault no, it won't agreed Mr. Merrill but you think it over Molly it couldn't do any harm to find out what this lady who was with Mrs. Carol meant didn't mean anything declared his wife any more than any child may remind you of somebody you know we never made any secret of Dora's coming and we tried hard enough then to find her a family Mrs. Carol knows that we might as well go to bed I expect before morning one or both of the children will be sick there's no accounting for the stuff they eat on a picnic well, said Mr. Merrill taking off his coat I've known people to eat considerable trash and still live put the cat out said Mrs. Merrill and leave the door unlocked for Dan I shan't sleep till I know he's in and I'll lock it when he comes End of Chapter 5 Chapter 6 of the Silver Bear this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Robert Doolan The Silver Bear by Edna Adelaide Brown what Lucy found the day after the picnic was Saturday Dora and Lucy wished it was Sunday for then it would seem like another holiday right after a especially nice time Saturday was always a busy day for Mrs. Merrill and she expected the little girls to help her perhaps one reason why Lucy and Dora loved the brown cottage as much as they did was because they had a share in making it a home just as they liked the garden because they planted the seeds and helped the flowers grow when Uncle Dan went downstairs in the morning Lucy and Dora usually got up but on the day after the picnic Mrs. Merrill told her brother not to wake them when Dora finally opened her eyes it was much later than usual Lucy was still asleep so Dora yawned turned over and settled down for another nap but just then came a terrific noise somewhere in the house it was not an ordinary sort of noise at all but a crash followed by a series of hard thumps which ended in a splintery splitting noise Lucy woke which was not surprising and she and Dora both jumped out of bed like this before and it was not a sound they cared to hear again what is it? asked Dora Lucy was hardly awake but Dora's voice sounded frightened so she pretended to be very brave she opened the door at the head of the stairs everything was very quiet but something must have caused that terrible crash the two little girls went straight down to the kitchen there the tea kettle was singing this table showed that Uncle Dan and Father had eaten and gone in the pantry was a bowl of cake batter and an egg beater lay beside a dish of half beaten eggs but where was mother? Dora's lip began to tremble the usually cheery kitchen seemed strange and lonesome Lucy what made that noise? she asked where's mother? perhaps she's gone to the market said Lucy though she felt sure Mrs Merrill could not leave a half finished cake just then came another sound this time from the cellar its door was open from the little entry where the refrigerator stood and the children peep fearfully down the steep dark stairs there in the gloom something was moving mother cried Lucy oh mother did you fall down the stairs? no I didn't came Mrs Merrill's voice and the next second she stood looking up at the two little nightgown figures hand in hand at the top of the stairs tears shone in Dora's eyes child alive said mother did you think I made all that racket? no wonder you were scared I was myself what was it? Lucy asked again just the ice the man didn't latch the refrigerator door and a 50 pound cake jumped out and bumped the whole length of the cellar stairs I thought the house was coming down so did we said Dora Lucy hand me the dish pan to put the pieces in went on her mother and then both of you get dressed I thought I'd let you sleep as late as you like this morning but its Saturday and there's work to do Lucy and Dora were busy all the morning after their breakfast they washed and wiped the dishes and there really were a good many because mother made bread and pies as well as cake Mrs Merrill swept the pile of rugs and then they mopped the floor and dusted everything carefully next they made the beds which had clean sheets as is the custom with self-respecting beds on a Saturday morning it is some work to make beds with clean sheets and no wonder that Dora was dismayed to discover just as they finished Uncle Dan's that they had put on no upper sheet at all there it lay on a chair a reproachful white drapery oh dear side Dora I suppose we'll have to break this bed open again of course Uncle Dan would not like a bed with only one sheet but Lucy thought Dora should have remembered it it was on her side of the bed Dora thought Lucy forgot it just as much as she did and said so to make the bed in their mother's room both felt rather cross and were critical of wrinkles and corners not their own, but each others because of this Mrs Merrill's bed when it was finished looked smoother and trimmer than either of the others Lucy hung up her mother's kimono in the closet just as she was closing the door she saw something shiny on the floor picking it up she turned to Dora in astonishment for it was the most wonderful and interesting thing she had ever seen both forgot they had been feeling cross what Lucy found was a tiny silver ring like a very small key ring attached to it were six little silver charms Lucy laid the ring on the bed while she and Dora looked at the little figures none of them was over an inch long some were smaller the first was an oddly shaped silver shoe which Lucy and Dora knew at once for a sebo such as the Dutch children wear they had read about sebo's in the Dutch twins next came a pretty spotted fish enameled in colours salmon pink with little shining dots and white underneath its fins and tail were flecked with gold the third charm was the soldier in a bright scarlet uniform at his side he carried a sword which would move back and forth next to the soldier was a charm Lucy thought prettiest of all a plump little pink coral heart about as big as the rubber on the end of a pencil next to this was a slender little figure which appeared to be a baby but only its arms were free and it was rolled round and round in a curious sort of wrapping the last charm pleased Dora best a wee silver bear about three quarters of an inch long with a shaggy coat and green eyes even the toes on its feet were indicated where did they come from said Lucy why hasn't mother shown them to us let's ask her said Dora and both ran into the kitchen Mrs Merrill had just put the pantry in order and was starting dinner she stopped short when the children ran in Lucy where did you get that she demanded on your closet floor just inside the door said Lucy mother's voice sounded as though she was not pleased I must have dropped them said Mrs Merrill after a pause I can't tell you about them now children not this morning anyway oh tell us where they came from beg Dora the little silver shoe must have come from where the Dutch children live probably they all came from across the ocean Lucy you put them in my top bureau drawer neither you nor Dora must touch them again I'll think the matter over and perhaps someday I will tell you all I know about them the children took a last look at the charms how I do love the little heart side Lucy the bear is the dearest said Dora how pretty it would be on my silver chain Uncle Dan gave me I lost the ivory elephant that came with it perhaps if we are very very good mother will let me wear that bear and you the heart in the kitchen Mrs Merrill heard them talking I wonder if I might she thought to herself but when the girls came back she only told them to set the table for dinner that afternoon Lucy and Dora went to the public library as they did every Saturday and often on other days as well they had each to choose a book for themselves and to bring two for father and mother to read on Sunday Uncle Dan like to choose his own books the public library had a corner just for the children with nice low shelves which they could easily reach all filled with delightful and interesting books Lucy went at once to the place where the fairy tales were kept but Dora looked until she found the book that told about the stars when she opened it it seemed rather hard reading but she decided to take it because she felt sure Uncle Dan would help her with the long words and anyway it was most important that they should find the name of that special bright star she saw every fair night it was not probable that Uncle Dan would remember to ask the policemen while the children were in the library Alice Harper came to return her book when she saw Lucy and Dora she came to speak to them softly almost always they remembered to talk only in whispers in the library if they forgot Miss Perkins the librarian would smile at them and then glance at the people who were reading and wanted to be quiet they talked about the picnic and what a nice time they had and about the Sunday school lesson for the next day it was to be the last meeting for the summer and Miss Page had asked them all to be sure to come Lucy and Dora were sorry when the Sunday school closed because they loved Miss Page and missed seeing her but Miss Page always went away during the summer and so did Alice and Grace Alice was going next week and she was feeling quite excited about it Alice wore a white dress and about her neck was a slender silver chain with a tiny medallion hanging from it Dora saw it at once she did so long to have the silver bear to put on her chain Uncle Jack brought it to me said Alice seeing that Dora noticed it it came from France that is a picture of Joan of Arc Lucy and Dora thought it was beautiful they had their books charged and took those the librarian had chosen for Mr and Mrs Merrill and as they went home they talked about Alice's picture medall and the wonderful things they had found in the morning in their mother's room I wish said Lucy that mother would think it over very quickly and decide to lend us one of those charms so do I said Dora does do the things as soon as we want End of Chapter 6 Recording by Robert Doolan Board Game Basics Podcast Chapter 7 of The Silver Bear This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Robert Doolan The Silver Bear Edna Adelaide-Brown What the Posters Said On Wednesday night when Mr Merrill came home from the printing office he found the children feeling quite sad Timothy the tiger striped pussy had been visiting Mrs Ealy and returned with a bleeding ear Mrs Ealy was not a person as one might suppose from her name but a pretty little Maltese kitten belonging to the people next door Timothy liked Mrs Ealy very much better than she liked him I wish Timmy would stay at home said Dora showing her father the injured ear or else visit a kind cat Lucy remarked dolefully Just then Uncle Dan came all day long he had been nailing shingles on Mr Elliot's new barn and he was tired and hot Timothy hasn't much sense he said as he went into the house if I called on a lady and she scratched me in the face I'd know enough to go home Lucy looked more sober than ever she did not notice the slow smile creeping over her father's face as the kitchen door shut behind Dan Dora laughed after Uncle Dan had washed changed his clothes and eaten his supper he would probably go to call on Olive Gates How funny to think of Olive scratching his face well said Mr Merrill who couldn't bear to see Lucy troubled I guess Timmy isn't much hurt and I have something nice to tell you to you let me get cleaned up and then we'll see the night was so hot that Mrs Merrill had planned a cold supper sliced meat and a potato salad with bread and butter and iced tea for the grown people Dora and Lucy had their usual glasses of milk they both stood sources of strawberries and a plate of cookies the little girls had hulled the berries and there was to be a surprise about them Father and Uncle Dan used a great deal of water both hot and cold but when they were ready for supper both look rested Father had put on slippers and a thin coat but Uncle Dan was quite dressed up in white trousers and white shoes without doubt he was going to see Olive when they had eaten the first part of supper Lucy started to take away the plates and bring the strawberries now it was time for the surprise Dora, Lucy and their mother exchanged a smile and Dora slipped from her seat as though she was going to help Lucy with the plates but she didn't instead she slid softly out by the screen door and ran around the house when Lucy had taken away the dishes and brushed up the crumbs she put the berries and cookies on the table Uncle Dan lifted his spoon oh wait, Lucy exclaimed catching his arm and giggling outright wait for Dora why, where is Dora asked Mr Merrill noticing her absence for the first time she went on an errand said Mother Merrill here Dan take a cookie but wait a minute for your berries just then Dora came flying back carrying carefully a bowl of vanilla ice cream there are advantages in living opposite a drugstore this was the surprise you see when will you tell us about the something nice Lucy asked when the last berry was eaten you little girls help your mother what she wants and then come out here in the yard and I'll tell you said Mr Merrill it did not take long to do the dishes Mrs Merrill helped and the gas stove heated the water so quickly a gas stove is a great convenience Lucy and Dora could remember summers before they had one and how much hotter the kitchen used to be when the work was all done they hurried out to their father now tell us they demanded Mother you come too said Mr Merrill we'll want you to pass judgement on this plan Mrs Merrill came pulling the kitchen rocker after her it was pleasant in the yard now that the sun was low and the shadows were beginning to grow long this morning began Mr Merrill a job of printing came in just some posters but they seemed to me rather interesting but Evans did the job but I told him when he got it set up to pull me a proof and I brought the proof home to show you children a circus said Lucy delightfully as her father drew from his pocket a folded blue piece of paper will you take us Mr Merrill smiled as he tossed her the poster Lucy and Dora spread it out with impatient fingers Westmore Village Improvement Society headed the poster in big letters and directly underneath in still larger type were the words Vacation School a school in summer said Lucy not very well pleased Dora had read a little further games instruction in sewing and making baskets folk dancing Dora lifted a flushed eager face let's see said Mrs Merrill reaching for the poster it's the Village Improvement Society said her husband they've hired some teachers and five mornings a week until 11 there's to be an outdoor school for the children the girls are to meet in the grove around the Lincoln School and when it rains they can go inside the boys are to use the Emerson school grounds across town it looks to me like a plan where the children could have a nice safe time and considerable fun 50 cents a week said Mrs Merrill considering the poster that's a dollar for two for how long Dan asked he was looking down at Dora's wistful face as she sprawled on the grass beside him six weeks said his sister you get considerable for your money said Mr Merrill tentatively of course I'd like them to go John but with everything costing so much Mrs Merrill stopped mother couldn't we beg Lucy I'll pay for one of them said Uncle Dan looks like too good a proposition to turn down Dan said his sister affectionately that's like you Dan but if they go I guess we can manage it for answer Dan drew half a dollar from his pocket and dropped it down Dora's neck fork out John he said to his brother in law laughing to himself Mr Merrill tossed Lucy another silver coin and was rewarded with hugs and squeals Dora couldn't reach her half dollar since it was way down her spine but she twisted over and shot a butterfly kiss into the palm of Uncle Dan's hand hanging down beside his chair nobody saw her do it and nobody knew it but Dan then she got up shook the half dollar the rest of the way and hugged him hard to see that she was properly grateful but she did not say much only looked happy and when Dora was especially happy her eyes shone like blue stars guess I'll be going said Uncle Dan looking at his watch choir rehearsal tonight choir rehearsal laughed Lucy sure thing said Uncle Dan closing the gate don't sit up for me Molly he's going to see Olive said Lucy hush now said Mr Merrill perhaps he is Lucy but it's choir night too and you mustn't tease your Uncle Dan I didn't mean to tease him said Lucy only he wouldn't put on his white trousers just to go to rehearsal Dora said nothing she knew more about Uncle Dan and Olive than anyone else the past Easter Uncle Dan in doubt as to whether Olive would prefer daffodils or violets she consulted Dora and following her advice chose the violets before long Mr Merrill went down the street to see how the beans were looking in Mr Sharpe's garden everybody who had planted beans was feeling worried about them for a queer kind of spot was coming on their leaves it was a new spot and nobody knew just what to do about it bedtime was drawing near but both little girls were anxious about the mother of this fact it could not be anything but hot in that upstairs west room mother said Lucy after a long cause have you thought yet about what child asked Mrs Merrill dear me I ought to be sowing and yet it's so hot I can't feel like lifting a needle what was I to think about the little silver things we found in your closet last Saturday I said her mother well yes but there's not much to say they were in the pocket of Dora's coat when she came to us that's all Lucy sat upright then they are Dora's she exclaimed yes I suppose so assented her mother I hope somebody might know something about them but nobody ever did then why can't Dora have them asked Lucy Dora herself had not said one word but her eyes were big and bright with excitement sometime said Mrs Merrill they ought not to be lost when she is big enough she may have them but only to keep oh may I have just the bear beg Dora to live with me mother to put on my silver chain like Alice's little medal and couldn't Lucy have the pink heart Mrs Merrill did not answer at once after all she thought why shouldn't the child enjoy the little bear it really belongs to her if I let you take it she said at last will you be contented not to wear it every day but only with your good dresses and when I say you may Dora had her arms about her neck making all kinds of promises and no teasing about it either ended Mrs Merrill no teasing agreed Dora and the little pink heart for Lucy Lucy may wear my coral string said her mother Lucy you'll like that won't you run and bring out the little ring Dora while Dora was gone Mrs Merrill spoke quickly to Lucy I'd like you to wear the heart and so would Dora bless her but you see don't you and with its little charms is about the only thing there is belonging to Dora before she came to us and I wouldn't want anybody to say I let my own child take it it might be lost Lucy if Dora loses the bear well she's done it herself and I can't be blamed for it but if you were to wear the heart and you lost it that would be something we couldn't set right again so you'll like my coral beads that I had when I was a little girl won't you Lucy liked the beads very much indeed she was entirely satisfied to wear them and thought them just as pretty as the pink heart when Dora brought the ring Mrs Merrill carefully took off the tiny green eyed bear and slid it on Dora's silver chain I'll put the rest under lock and key she said now when Dora wears the bear Lucy may have the string of coral but remember only when you are dressed up and going somewhere and no teasing or back they both go end of chapter 7 recording by Robert Doolan board game basics podcast chapter 8 of the silver bear this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Robert Doolan board game basics podcast the silver bear by Edna Adelaide Brown chapter 8 Sunday morning the vacation classes were not to begin for a week but one afternoon Lucy and Dora went around by the Lincoln school to see whether anything interesting had happened they knew the place well for it was their school house the pleasant big building was different from a school in a city because it stood in such large grounds there was no fence only a green lawn with a number of elms and maples sometimes when the weather in June grew very warm the teachers would take the children outside each class would gather under a tree and read and spell and have geography lessons sitting together in the pleasant out of doors a nice way to go to school the children found most interesting preparations going on near the building under the largest trees stood two long tables with benches on either side there was always a pole with a net for a basketball which the big girls played but now there were two swings in different trees and a slide and a sand pit to wait until next Monday was hard to have something to look forward to and to wonder how many of their friends were going to the vacation school when Sunday morning came the children woke with a realisation that they would have only once more to go to bed before the proper day arrived now that there was no Sunday school Mrs. Merrill told the little girls she wanted them to go to church you may wear your necklaces as she said Dora kept the bear in a tiny pink pasteboard box in her small drawer the bureau in the children's room was an old fashioned one with a drawer on either side of the looking glass the right hand one belonged to Lucy and the left hand one to Dora the two top big drawers were Lucy's and the two bottom ones were Dora's the string of corals stayed in a wee wooden box with a picture pasted on the top which Lucy thought very beautiful it was of a boy flying a kite and Uncle Dan said his name was Ben Franklin Lucy supposed this was a joke until in a library book she read about a man of that name who experimented with electricity by flying a kite then she was suspicious of Uncle Dan when the children were dressed for church they put on their necklaces and went downstairs father and mother were ready and they started early so as not to have to hurry for June was certainly proving rather hot Lucy and Dora walked together in front the way to church was pleasant along a tree shaded street and past the lovely flower gardens every September in the Westmore Town Hall there was a flower show when people picked the prettiest blossoms from their gardens and brought them where everybody could enjoy them and decide what kind of flowers they would try to raise next year when the family reached the church the bell was ringing and people were going in or stopping to talk on the steps Mrs. Merrill spoke to Mrs. Escott but Lucy and Dora went demurely in just inside the door they saw Mr. Beckwith Dora knew that he was standing there so that if any strangers came he could welcome them and show them to a seat she wished he would say good morning Mrs. Merrill may I show you and your sister to a seat how far front would you like to go but Mr. Beckwith only smiled at the little girls he knew that Lucy and Dora could find their usual seat the church seemed very quiet with pretty shaded lights falling through the stained glass windows some were partly open and the wood-bind outside waved slender tentacles across the frames as though it wanted to see what was going on inside roses in vases made the air sweet ladies in lights, summer dresses and children in white were sitting here and there in the pews after the bright sunshine in the street the shady places in the high raftered roof seemed pleasant Mr. and Mrs. Merrill came and sat down beside the children and Mr. Merrill found the first hymn and gave the book to his wife Lucy and Dora found it for themselves and then they sat quietly while the organist played presently the music changed into a hymn and then in the distance sounded voices this was the moment Dora liked best of any she loved to hear the music grow nearer and nearer and to see the choir come in with the little boys in front, many of whom she knew but Eddie George, Francis and the others scrubbed and brushed with very smooth hair and clean white cotters walking slowly as they sang looked quite different from the rough and tumbled little boys she saw outside of church Uncle Dan was almost always one of the last to come in today he was last of all walking just before Mr. Thorn Dora thought he looked very nice and watched to see if he would glance at her but Uncle Dan did not lift his eyes from his music he went slowly up the chancell steps and turned to the right Robert Armstrong walking with him turned to the left when they took their seats they were on opposite sides facing each other but Dora knew that with the last hymn they would walk out again together this morning Uncle Dan was sitting where Dora could see him plainly and after the hymn was finished and Mr. Thorn began to read some scripture verses he did look down at his sister and the children when he caught Dora's glance his eyes smiled at her though his face remained grave Dora liked the music and the service she could find the places in the prayer book quite well better than Lucy could do she cared for the sermon Mr. Thorn talked about things that were interesting only to grown people at least Dora supposed that older people found them interesting Uncle Dan seemed to like what he was saying for he looked steadily at Mr. Thorn as though listening at first Lucy tried to listen to the sermon but Mr. Thorn used such long words that she could not decide what he was talking about so she looked about the church and saw that Olive Gates was wearing a pretty new hat with a wreath of roses that made her look like a rose herself then she looked at the flowers on the altar and the colored lights falling through the stained glass windows on either side of the church and saw sitting in Mrs. Carol's pew the lady who had been at the picnic and who had asked her mother's name Lucy also read two hymns Dora did not listen at all first she looked at Mrs. Butler who sat in the pew in front the Sunday was so hot that hardly anybody wore gloves and Dora admired the pretty rings with the blue and white stones on Mrs. Butler's fingers she wished that mother had rings like them then she looked at mother's hands clasped in her lap they were not as white as Mrs. Butler's the nails were not rosy and shiny and she wore only one ring a plain gold one but the next moment Dora thought of the many things mother's hands found to do for them cooking and sweeping and sewing and washing there was hardly a moment when they were idle and they were so busy that one never stopped to see how they looked they found time to do pleasant things too making a dress for Dora's doll teaching Lucy to knit giving baths to the little girls and rubbing Uncle Dan's sprained shoulder no wonder they were not white and soft like Mrs. Butler's hands next Dora thought of her dear bear and tucked in her chin and twisted the chain so she could see its bright eyes she thought they compared very favourably with Mrs. Butler's blue stones Mr. Thorn was still preaching so Dora looked at the stained glass windows the one nearest to her was beautiful with lovely soft colours and it told a real story in the foreground stood the boy David with his sling and his stones and across a brook was the giant Goliath and the host of the Philistines Dora knew that story how David went forth alone and fought and defeated the giant above the picture were some words which Dora spelled out go and the Lord be with thee there was more about the window than just the picture it had been given by Judge and Mrs. Winslow whose son went away to fight in France and to help keep the world a safe place for little children to live he did not come back and so this was a new story window in the church where he used to go Dora looked for a long time at the slender young David he seemed such a boy to have done so much why? had Mr. Thorn finished his sermon Dora stood with the rest of the people in a moment the choir would sing and Uncle Dan was going to sing alone Dora liked to hear her uncle's voice and so did everybody else she was pleased to see how attentively they listened and that Mr. Thorn seemed to enjoy it too all the time that Uncle Dan was singing some gentlemen were taking the collection Dora and Lucy put their pennies in the plate when Mr. Beckwith passed it to them and then stood while the money was taken up to Mr. Thorn church was almost over people would kneel again to pray and then the choir would sing the last hymn and go out and everybody would go home when they were leaving the church Dora felt somebody pat her cheek and put an arm about her it was Olive Gates and the two smiled at each other they were pleased with Uncle Dan's music but they did not need to speak of it what a cunning bear said Olive taking it in her hand don't you like it's green eyes asked Dora and it makes real little bear prints with it's feet I inked them on the indelible pad and it's left little tracks on a piece of paper just like a real bear what is it's name asked Olive just as Uncle Dan came beside them Olive's face turned a pretty soft pink and her eyes grew bright Dora didn't answer she had never thought of naming the bear and this was a serious omission all the afternoon she considered different names but nothing that came into her mind seemed just right End of Chapter 8 Recording by Robert Dolan Board Game Basics Podcast Chapter 9 of The Silver Bear This is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Robert Dolan Board Game Basics Podcast The Silver Bear The Silver Bear The Silver Bear by Edna Adelaide Brown Chapter 9 The Vacation School That Sunday evening Uncle Dan with the help of Dora's book and the organist at the church discovered that Dora's bright star was called Arcturius Dora was greatly pleased to know its name and at once bestowed it upon her bear Arcturius she thought had a wild sort of sound befitting a free thing like a star or a bear surely there was nothing ordinary about the name Monday morning bright and early Lucy and Dora started for the Lincoln School on the way they were glad to meet Mary Barrows and Gladys Parr When they reached the grounds they found other girls they knew and some they didn't because they went to school in a different part of Westmore In all there were about 100 children and there were 3 teachers besides 2 girls about 18 who had offered to help Laura Carroll was one of these older girls and with her stood the lady who had been on the Sunday school picnic and who thought Dora looked like somebody she knew The lady's name was Miss Chandler and she was to have charge of the Vacation School First The children sang America and one or two other songs everybody knew and then Miss Chandler asked all the girls 13 years old or more to form a group around Miss Smith Those from 9 to 13 formed a second group and the youngest children were left to make the third one This arrangement separated Lucy and Dora and at first neither of them liked it To be sure they were not in the same room at school but that was different Dora looked serious when Lucy's brown curls vanished in the older group but she had only a moment to feel troubled Miss Chandler herself came to the cluster of the youngest children Girls she said cheerily How many of you can sew Dora was glad she could raise her hand When she was 6 she learned to sew on buttons and now she could hem and do over and over and outline very neatly Miss Chandler explained that those who knew how were to work on something very interesting She showed them small squares of pretty white cloth Some had patterns of animals or children to be outlined Others were to have flowers put on in cross stitch The completed squares were to be made into bed spreads When the vacation school was over these would be shown in the final exhibition and then given to the children's ward in the Westmore Cottage Hospital Any little sick child would immediately feel better to have such a cover on his bed Dora decided to take a flower square first Later she would do one in outline stitch Laura Carroll started the flower and then gave it to Dora She also gave her a piece of paper showing just how many crosses to make in each direction and what coloured cotton to use Dora sat down on the grass to sew her flower The smallest children of all were given kindergarten beads to string and tin moulds to use in the sand pile Dora liked the flower pattern very much It had two pink roses surrounded by green leaves There were two shades of pink in the roses and two shades of green in the leaves The older girls were making baskets and the middle group clustered about the table with their teachers Lucy held up a strip of khaki coloured cloth Dora wondered what it could be for When the children had sewed about an hour Miss Chandler told them to lay aside their work All the groups stood in long lines and Miss Smith and Laura Carroll showed them some pretty dancing steps part of a Swedish folk dance Miss Thornblum played on a violin with them to keep time and all the girls practised the steps It was such fun that nobody wanted to stop Even the little children left the slide and the sand pile and tried to dance After the dancing they played games One group played drop the handkerchief and the others chose different games When they had played quite a long time they went back to their sewing Dora was glad to get back to her pretty cross stitching She had seen Lucy and learned that Lucy was making an Indian dress which was to have red fringe Dora thought it would be nice to have such a dress but she also liked to make the pink roses Almost before anybody knew it the clock in the church tower struck eleven and it was time to go home Nobody could bear to have it eleven so soon for the vacation school was such fun and almost everybody begged to be allowed to take their squares to finish at home but Miss Chandler said they must leave them to work on the next day Later they would make some clothes for their own dolls and might take those home to sew on Each little girl was given a stout envelope into which to put her unfinished work and on the outside Miss Chandler wrote their names Dora was satisfied to know this plan She had felt afraid that perhaps she might get somebody else's square and she did not like forget-me-nots as well as the roses When she took her envelope to Miss Chandler to have her name put on it Miss Chandler looked at her and smiled This is little Dora isn't it she asked I remember that you went on the Sunday school picnic Dora smiled back and Miss Chandler put an arm around her and gave her a little squeeze What a little duck you are she said and you look so much like a friend I used to have Don't you have her now asked Dora She isn't living dearly but we used to be little girls together and she had dimples in her cheeks just the way you have and her eyes were like yours Dora smiled again She liked Miss Chandler very much then she went to find Lucy and walk home with her Miss Chandler looked after her What a dear little thing she is she said to Laura Carroll who was putting away the sewing things She seems like a child who comes from a home where love is She does said Laura Mrs Merrill is very particular about Lucy and Dora She tries very hard to bring them up nicely You know the young man who sang the solo in church yesterday He is Dora's uncle and he thinks the world of her Oh Dora has plenty of love at home I never saw two sisters look less alike said Miss Chandler but Laura did not hear She was taking the envelopes of sewing into the school house Mrs Merrill was interested in the vacation school and in what the girls were making She thought the bed cover would be nice for sick babies but she did not approve of Lucy's Indian dress It would be more sensible to sew something useful she said I don't think much of clothes just to dress up in But I have all the clothes I need said Lucy and it is such fun to sew on an Indian dress That may be said her mother but if you don't need clothes yourself there are plenty of children who do and it seems a waste of time to make fancy things Lucy didn't think so Mother had forgotten how much fun it was just to dress up When father came at noon Lucy was pleased that he did not think the Indian row but a waste of time There seemed a difference in the way fathers felt about things They only wanted little girls to have a very nice time but mothers thought it was possible to have a nice time and to do something useful as well That afternoon Dora came to Mrs Merrill as she set sewing in the shady backyard May I go and change my library book she asked Yes said Mrs Merrill and may I stay at the library a while Yes said her mother again There is something else that I want to do said Dora Something I want very much to do mother and it is not teasing either because I am only just asking about it You know the library lady said once she gave me a book about the Dutch children and that she had been in Holland and seen them wearing their wooden shoes Are you listening mother Yes said Mrs Merrill cutting a buttonhole in Lucy's new petticoat I am listening child May I take the pink box with the bear and the other things and show her beg Dora Not if she is very busy nor to bother her if she should be in a hurry or writing but only if she stops to smile at me because perhaps she knows where the cunning baby and the fish came from and the little soldier I want so much to know about them not to wear them mother only just to ask her about them Mrs Merrill stopped sewing and thought a minute she did not look at the petticoat nor at Dora but at the poppies in the border Dora turned to look at them it seemed as though mother did not like their colour or else they were growing crookedly I am afraid there will be other children Dora and that they will want to look and that you will get into trouble those things must not be lost I will put the box in my pocket and not even take it out unless Miss Perkins is alone and not busy very well said Mrs Merrill you may take it and ask her about them but don't bother her if she is busy and Lucy had better go with you End of Chapter 9 Recording by Robert Doolan Board Game Basics podcast Chapter 10 of The Silver Bear This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Robert Doolan Board Game Basics podcast The Silver Bear by Edna Adelaide-Brown From Across the Ocean When Dora and Lucy reached the library they looked anxiously to see whether Miss Perkins was busy She sat at her desk talking to a lady who could not decide if she had read a certain book or not The lady was looking at the pictures to see whether she remembered them The children left their books to be taken off their cards and went to the shelves to choose some others Dora kept watching Miss Perkins The library had been open about an hour and most of the people who were in a hurry had come and gone The children and not many grownups If only Miss Perkins was not too busy Dora had chosen a good time She did not look too busy but Librarians always have to act as though they never had anything to do but to attend to whoever wants to talk with them It would not be possible to decide how busy Miss Perkins was until the lady who couldn't remember had left the library After a time the lady did go out and Dora watched anxiously to see what Miss Perkins did next If she sat down at the typewriter or took a pen and paper it was not the proper time to ask about Acturius and the other charms But Miss Perkins did neither She took a book from the desk and turned its pages over quite rapidly The book was a large one with many pictures The next moment she saw Dora looking wistfully at her and she smiled Dora knew that the moment had come Touching Lucy to let her know she went up to the desk Just see what a baby sister did to this book Dora said Miss Perkins holding it so she could look It was marked with pencil all over the story and the pictures too Babies are very destructive beside Miss Perkins Isn't it a pity Dora when they are so cunning as well I don't know which does the most damage to books a baby or a puppy Kittens are safer said Dora They never hurt books One did once said Miss Perkins It scratched the cover and bit the corner At least Alice thought her kitty did it What do you want to read today Dora? I wanted to show you something said Dora shyly She took the pink box from her pocket and opened it There was Arcturius on his silver leash and the other charms on their tiny ring Miss Perkins was interested She admired them as much as Dora and Lucy hoped Of course the little shoe came from Holland she said It is a Sabo We read about them in Hand Brinker and the silver skates said Lucy eagerly Yes, we knew that agreed Dora but I thought perhaps you could tell me where the others came from They have all crossed the Atlantic Ocean said Miss Perkins turning them over in her fingers Yes, I think I can tell you where they probably came from The little heart asked Lucy That came from Italy said Miss Perkins Either from Venice or Naples Probably from Naples That is a city in the southern part of Italy you know which is famous for its coral The fisherman get it from the Mediterranean sea when the coral pulps make it Sometimes it is pink and sometimes red I have a string of red coral said Lucy It belongs to mother but she lets me wear it Red coral is very pretty said Miss Perkins When the coral is fished up it is rough and branching but the workman makes smooth beads and ornaments from it Once in a while they find some that is almost white with just a tiny little pink That is rather rare The tiny broken pieces of coral are made into little charms and trinkets and this pink heart is one Yes, I am sure that the heart came from Naples And where did Archerius come from asked Dora Archerius? Oh is he the bear Dora explained how the bear got his name and Miss Perkins looked amused It is a very nice name for a bear she agreed Archerius I think came from Switzerland where the high Alps are You have read Heidi haven't you That tells about the Alps There used to be a great many wild bears in the mountains and the capital city of the country is called Bern which means a bear In Bern there are stone bears ornamenting many of the buildings and fountains and there is a quite wonderful clock on the main street of the city Every hour when the clock strikes a procession of little bears come out of the clock on this high tower When the bell sounds a cock flaps his wings and crows and the procession of bears marches around a figure of old father time Then they go back inside the clock to wait until it strikes again In a deep pit the city keeps some live bears and the children look down at them and feed them with buns All the tourists go to see those bears In the shops are all sorts of bears for sale Gingerbread bears and white candy bears with red sugar tongues and wooden bears of every size and tiny gold or silver bears like Archerius But I never saw one before with green eyes And he read Perhaps the person who bought this bear had him made with green ones Miss Perkins had to stop to find a book for a gentleman who wanted to know how to keep the moles out of his cucumber bed Lucy and Dora thought this a funny thing to ask but Miss Perkins did not seem to think it odd She gave the man a book at once which told him just what to do about the moles and then she came back to the children This pretty little fish she went on must be a salmon for they are that colour and it came from Norway where the fishermen catch so many salmon and where people go on purpose to fish in the Norwegian rivers I bought a fish very much like this in the city of Bergen in Norway I am sure it must have come from there Where did the little soldier come from? asked Dora See, his sword moves back and forth for a great many years the English soldiers wore scarlet uniforms said Miss Perkins I have seen them often marching or on guard in their bright coloured clothes During the Great War they did not wear them because you can understand that a scarlet coat like this can be seen a long distance away This little soldier is an English officer as he used to be and he must have come from Harrison town in England and where did the last one come from? asked Dora showing the little silver baby that also came from Italy said Miss Perkins it is a Bambino that is the Italian word for baby many years ago in the city of Florence a home or hospital was built for sick children and for children who didn't have any parents to take care of them a famous artist named Luca della Robbia made some beautiful decorations for the outside of the building all of little children this is a copy of one of the babies on his medallions Miss Perkins brought a book which showed the Luca della Robbia babies she knew exactly where to go for it just as she had found the one that told about the moles Lucy and Dora thought it wonderful that she should know in which book to look there were a great many books in the Westmore public library Miss Perkins showed them the picture of the hospital and the round medallion set above the portico they saw for themselves the babies wrapped in long pieces of cloth round and round which Miss Perkins said were called swaddling clothes they found the very one the silver baby looked like but they agreed that the modern baby clothes are more comfortable for the babies Dora was delighted to hear about the charms she had felt so sure that Miss Perkins would know where they came from Miss Perkins did another thing that was kind she took a piece of paper and wrote on it the little charms and the names of the cities and countries they came from will you please write the babies Italian name asked Dora Miss Perkins did so then she gave Dora the paper to put in the pink box they finished talking about the charms just in time because a number of people came to change their books and Miss Perkins was busy but Lucy and Dora were perfectly satisfied they chose their own books and then went back to the desk to have them charged Dora slid around the desk close to Miss Perkins thank you very much she said mother told me not to ask you if you were busy and not to bother you I didn't bother did I not a bit said Miss Perkins smiling again I am very glad that I could tell you Dora and I am glad that you have the little charms any girl is fortunate to own them when the children left the library they ran all the way home they were so eager to tell mother about the charms as they told her the story of each she looked at it again but she did not say much and Dora went to put the pink box safely away Mrs. Merrill stopped sewing on Lucy's petticoat for as much as 5 minutes she looked at the poppies with her hands lying quite idle in her lap End of Chapter 10 Recording by Robert Dolan Board Game Basics Podcast Chapter 11 of The Silver Bear This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The Silver Bear by Edna Adelaide-Brown Chapter 11 A Rainy Day One morning about a week later the sun did not shine and the east wind blew the weather was so much cooler that Mrs. Merrill decided to visit the city to do some shopping Lately every day had been too warm to go even if it rained as seemed likely she would rather have the rain than try to shop on a hot day I shall not be home for dinner she said to the children so you must get it for father Uncle Dan is working so far away that he is going to take his dinner with him I will leave everything ready and when you come in at 11 there will be plenty of time for you to attend to it Mrs. Merrill told Lucy exactly what to do about dinner She told Dora to set the table Lucy all she could then she gave them a key to the door and went away to catch the car for the city The children locked the house carefully and started for the vacation school They took an umbrella but they did not wear rubbers Mother had not said anything about rubbers Before they had gone far a few drops began to fall and when they reached the Lincoln School it was really raining tables and seats were wet the little children left from the day before were flat on top and pitted with round holes where raindrops struck The vacation school would have to move into the building which was quite exciting for every day had been so pleasant that the children could stay outdoors Lucy's group was working in one of the big classrooms and Dora found hers in the kindergarten room This was more fun than a regular school room where the children were obliged to take desks because the kindergarten chairs could be moved about Since the groups were scattered in different rooms they did not sing together this morning Each group sang a little while by itself before beginning work Long ago Dora had finished the Rosebud Square She had made two an outline though she did not like them so well But when Miss Chandler said she did the first one very nicely Dora really felt obliged to take another though she preferred to cross stitch Then she had sewed another Rosebud Square and yesterday finished one with forget-me-nots This morning her sewing envelope was empty After the singing Miss Chandler began to give out the work These are the last squares she said Next the squares are to be sewed together and that must be done by somebody who sews very neatly Miss Chandler looked around the room Three strips are already basted she went on Mary may have one to work on and Anne may take the second and Dora may sew the third one Dora felt extremely proud to be chosen for this honour Laura Carroll gave her a thimble and a slim needle with a long tail of thread She set the first stitch for Dora and then watched while Dora took some more That's right she said you do it nicely Dora Dora stuck the needle in with great care No baby who slept under that strip of squares should ever feel the wind blowing between the stitches Another pleasant thing happened that morning Outside the rain beat on the windows and inside sat the circle of little girls with their pretty sewing Because of the storm the smallest children had not come Miss Chandler sat down in a kindergarten chair too and in her hand she held a storybook I am going to read aloud she said Miss Laura will sit beside me and if anybody wants help let her raise her hand quietly so as not to interrupt the reading and Miss Laura will come to her and whisper what to do The story was so interesting that nobody wanted to practice dancing when the time came but Miss Chandler said they would all feel better if they did get up and move around and that she would go on reading when the exercise was over so everybody went out in the long corridor to dance in the hall proved fun sometimes for music they had a victorula and sometimes a fiddle today it was the victorula and Miss Thorburn helped with the steps some of the children could dance very nicely now and these were taken on one side to learn more steps Dora was one of them she did not need anyone to teach her her toes knew of their own accord when school broke up at eleven the rain was coming down in sheets Lucy and Dora wished they had worn their rubbers they knew all the time that they should have done so let's go home barefooted Lucy suggested Dora looked shocked mother never lets us take off our shoes and stockings she said except when we go to the beach for a day or just on the grass in the backyard I know it said Lucy I wouldn't do it just for fun without asking her but shoes cost so much and yours are almost new it will spoil them to get wet I heard father and mother talking about how much shoes cost now it isn't being naughty Dora Dora agreed that it would never do to spoil her new shoes but walking barefooted was not so much fun after all the mud felt unpleasant and there were prickly places in the sidewalk when they reached home they had to wash their feet and then hurry to get dinner for father he would come very promptly at twelve because he had only to cross the street from the printing office Lucy lighted the oven of the gas stove mother had left in it a glass baking dish with scalloped hominy all ready to bake there were meatballs to cook on a frying pan and cabbage salad Dora set the table neatly and put the salad on plates and the dressing in a bowl she put on the bread and the butter and the salt and got the water pitcher ready to fill when father came for dessert there was a cherry pie when the whistles blew at twelve everything was ready the meatballs smelled so good that Lucy felt quite proud of her cooking on top the hominy had turned a beautiful golden brown they did not know whether father would want some coffee Uncle Dan liked it for dinner but Mr. Merrill did not always drink it look in the refrigerator Dora said Lucy and see if there is any cold coffee sometimes father likes it cold Dora was peering into the refrigerator where she did not see any coffee when there was a crash and a cry from Lucy Dora turned quickly there on the floor lay the dish of hominy oh my said Dora coming to the stove oh dear said Lucy and she looked as though she was going to cry they both stood staring at it the dish was broken into a great many pieces and the nice scalloped hominy was oozing over the floor let's take off the top said Dora into another dish the top hasn't been on the floor and perhaps it will be enough for dinner Lucy brought two spoons and another dish and they carefully took off the top part of the hominy it was perfectly clean and good to eat but there was a discouraging mess on the floor that was mother's glass baking dish she liked so much said Lucy mournfully you didn't mean to break it comforted Dora she won't scold because it was an accident just then father came he was glad that Lucy had not dropped the hot hominy on her feet and said that the oven was too high for her to manage easily in order to reach it she had been obliged to stand on her toes he also said that the top of the hominy was not hurt and that it would be enough for dinner then he took a spoon and a pie plate and scraped up the mess on the floor and all the broken glass Lucy brought a wet cloth and nobody would have known there had been an accident after dinner father went back to his work and the children cleared the table they did not know what to do they had broken glass and hominy they took out all the big pieces of glass and rinsed them and put them in the ash can but there was the hominy quite full of bits and splinters of glass to put it in the garbage pail would never do broken glass could not possibly be good for Mr. Cassidy's pigs that would eat the garbage I know said Lucy let's put the pan out in the rain it will wash out the hominy for the birds to eat the glass is heavy and will stay in the bottom of the plate then we can throw it away Dora thought this was a good plan Timothy had already turned up his nose at the hominy and Mrs. Eli would not eat it by mistake cats did not like hominy they set the pan in the yard and washed the dishes talking all the time about the vacation school Lucy's teacher had read aloud to her group while they sewed but a different story told each other the stories they had heard that was one nice thing about being in different groups the dishes were nearly done when a dreadful thought came into Dora's mind she almost dropped a plate Lucy she said there is Toby do you think he would eat that glass Lucy looked out the window Toby was a friendly collie who belonged to the drugist he was not grown up enough to know that he should not go around for people's yards looking for food not once had the children thought of Toby only of the cats now he was there in the yard Lucy dropped the dishcloth and ran to the door the pie plate was absolutely clean hominy, broken glass, rainwater all were gone oh dear said Lucy again Toby has eaten that glass and it will kill him this seemed more than they could bear they were fond of Toby who was a very nice dog and polite to Timothy and Mr. Giddings the drugist was always kind to them only the other day when they went to buy some toothpaste for mother he gave them each a pretty tin box how soon will it kill him asked Dora almost ready to cry I don't know said Lucy she sat down in a chair and really did cry to break the dish was bad enough to have Toby eat the bits of glass was really too much if we tell Mr. Giddings perhaps he can give Toby some medicine so he won't die said Dora he will say we ought not to have put the plate in the yard I did think of Timothy and Mrs. Eli but not of Toby it is our back yard said Dora Toby was not invited to come into it I will tell Mr. Giddings Lucy I don't think he will be crossed and if he knows he can give Toby some medicine in time Lucy did not want to go but she knew something ought to be done and that it was not fair to let Dora go alone so they put on their robbers and ran over to the drugstore to speak to Mr. Giddings Mr. Giddings was not at all cross he was not a cross man anyway and the children were crying bless you said he when they had told him that won't hurt Toby think of all the sticks he chews up and the splinters he swallows I don't believe it will do him one might of harm but I'll give him some medicine just to make sure it doesn't I'm glad you came to tell me now don't feel badly about it any longer Toby shouldn't go around eating things he isn't expected to find Mr. Giddings spoke so kindly and smiled so pleasantly that the children felt much better now that she knew Toby would not be any the worse for his queer lunch Dora thought his eating it was really rather funny Uncle Dan would think so when mother came Lucy had still to tell her about the broken dish but that was a small matter since Toby was no longer in danger of sudden death mother never scolded for things that were accidents the oven had been high and the dish was very hot and Lucy's hands were small Mrs. Merrill said she was sorry about the dish but it was lucky Lucy had not been burned she also said she did not mind their coming home barefoot and that was to save their shoes when Uncle Dan heard about Toby and the glass as Dora expected he laughed a long time Toby must have a patent leather inside he said or else he is a circus dog he could be one said Dora Mr. Giddings has taught him to sneeze when he wants anything one day I saw Toby chase a squirrel up a tree and then he stood at the bottom of the tree and sneezed for the squirrel to come down again did it come for his sneezing Uncle Dan it did not said Dora it jumped into another tree and Toby didn't see it go so he stood and sneezed till he was tired and then he went home End of Chapter 11