The momentous day arrived at last.  Beth wished to take all her belongings with her, from Fritz to a small trunk.  She had to be content, however, with a valise.

Fritz and Arabella were admonished to be good during her absence, and the chickens were entrusted to Marian’s care.

Mrs. Davenport drove Beth to town.  Upon reaching the Corners’ home, Beth’s heart sank unaccountably, and she had a hard time to keep the tears back, when she kissed her mother good-bye.  However, Laura and the Corners were so very cordial that her spirits soon revived.

In the afternoon several little girls, who had been invited to play, came in.  Among the number was one who especially attracted Beth.  She was slight and graceful.  Her hair was golden and her eyes were blue.  Beth, of course, was introduced to all the girls, but did not catch the name of this one.

“She looks like that picture of the cherub we have at home,” decided Beth.  “I wonder what her name is.  I guess I’ll call her ‘Cherub’ to myself.  Cherub, you’re very pretty, but you’re too quiet to be much fun.”

Most of the little girls had their dolls with them; all, in fact, excepting Beth and the “Cherub.”  The latter sat apart from the other children.  She looked so very demure that Beth thought her bashful, and took pity on her.  Seating herself beside her, she asked: 

“Wouldn’t your mamma let you bring your doll?  My mamma thought I had better not bring mine so far.”

The “Cherub” showed little interest in the conversation.  She answered curtly: 

“I haven’t a doll.”

Beth’s eyes opened in surprise.  “You haven’t any doll?  What a pity.”

Then she hesitated.  She feared the “Cherub” might be too poor to afford dolls.  She was soon undeceived, however, by the “Cherub” exclaiming: 

“I don’t think it a pity.  I don’t care for dolls; they’re a nuisance.  I like to play outdoors.”

“So do I.”

The “Cherub” grew animated.  “Do you?  Say, can you climb trees and walk on stilts and——­”

“What are stilts?”

“Don’t you know?” There was a slight contempt expressed for such woeful ignorance.  “They are long pieces of wood with places for your feet up from the ground.  It’s just as if you had wooden legs, only they make you tall so that you feel quite grown up.”

“I’d like to walk on stilts.”

“Would you?  Where do you live?”

“Out on the old shell road.”

“What! are your folks the people who bought the place near us?”

“Do you live on the shell road, too?” Beth was delighted.  She was beginning to think the “Cherub” might prove very companionable.

“Yes.  Your name is Beth Davenport, isn’t it?  Mine’s Julia Gordon.  Say, Beth, I’ll come to see you and teach you how to walk on stilts if you like.”

“Will you, really?  When will you come?”