Chapter 1—Two Girls

seaofsoap-suds,andthen,sureenough,outofherslenderthroatcametheswallow'stwitter,therobin'swhistle,theblue-jay'scall,thethrush'ssong,thewood-dove'scoo,andmanyanotherfamiliarnote,allendingasbeforewiththemusicalecstacyofabobolinksingingandswingingamongthemeadowgrassonabrightJuneday. Rosewassoastonishedthatshenearlyfelloffherperch,andwhenthelittleconcertwasoverclappedherhandsdelightedly. “Oh,itwaslovely!Whotaughtyou?” “Thebirds,”answeredthegirl,withasmile,asshefelltoworkagain. “Itisverywonderful!Icansing,butnothinghalfsofineasthat.Whatisyourname,please?” “PhebeMoore.” “I'veheardofphebe-birdsbutIdon'tbelievetherealonescoulddothat,”laughedRose,adding,asshewatchedwithinterestthescatteringofdabsofsoftsoapoverthebricks,“MayIstayandseeyouwork?Itisverylonelyintheparlor.” “Yes,indeed,ifyouwantto,”answeredPhebe,wringingoutherclothinacapablesortofwaythatimpressedRoseverymuch. “Itmustbefuntoswashthewaterroundanddigoutthesoap.I'dlovetodoit,onlyauntwouldn'tlikeit,Isuppose,”saidRose,quitetakenwiththenewemployment. “You'dsoongettired,soyou'dbetterkeeptidyandlookon.” “Isupposeyouhelpyourmotheragooddeal?” “Ihaven'tgotanyfolks.” “Why,wheredoyoulive,then?” “I'mgoingtolivehere,Ihope.Debbywantssomeonetohelpround,andI'vecometotryforaweek.” “Ihopeyouwillstay,foritisverydull,”saidRose,whohadtakenasuddenfancytothisgirl,whosunglikeabirdandworkedlikeawoman. “HopeIshallforI'mfifteennow,andoldenoughtoearnmyownliving.Youhavecometostayaspell,haven'tyou?”askedPhebe,lookingupatherguestandwonderinghowlifecouldbedulltoagirlwhoworeasilkfrock,adaintilyfrilledapron,aprettylocket,andhadherhairtiedupwithavelvetsnood. “Yes,Ishallstaytillmyunclecomes.Heismyguardiannow,andIdon'tknowwhathewilldowithme.Haveyouaguardian?” “Mysakes,no!Iwasleftonthepoor-housestepsalittlemiteofababy,andMissRogerstookalikingtome,soI'vebeenthereeversince.Butsheisdeadnow,andItakecareofmyself.” “Howinteresting!ItislikeArabellaMontgomeryinthe'Gypsy'sChild.'Didyoueverreadthatsweetstory?”askedRose,whowasfondoftalesoffound-lings,andhadreadmany. “Idon'thaveanybookstoread,andallthesparetimeIgetIrunoffintothewoodsthatr