CHAPTER XVI.

In the woods.

Forgotten medicine and renewed health—­An excursion planned—­A gun wanted, but denied—­Setting out on a long tramp—­Swamps—­Upland—­Brooks—­How Brookdale got its name—­Cutting canes—­Birch and beech—­How to crook the handle of a cane—­The philosophy of it explained—­The cigars—­Fine groves—­Stopping to rest—­The forest described—­Birds and guns—­Other game—­Jim Oakley’s strange animal—­Moose—­The man who met a bear—­A race—­Mysterious disappearance of the bear—­The probable cause of his visit—­The boy who killed two bears—­Oscar’s courage—­Prospect Rock—­A fine view—­The rabbit—­The woodchuck’s hole—­Crossing a swamp—­Mosquitoes—­The pond—­The hermit’s hut—­Some account of “Old Staples”—­Buried treasures—­Making a fire—­Baking potatoes and toasting cheese—­Drinking pond water—­Dinner—­Hunting for the hermit’s money—­What they meant to do with it—­A bath proposed—­Smoothing over the matter—­Going Into water—­Drying their hair—­Going home—­Lost In the woods—­Arrival home—­One kind of punishment for wrong-doing.

CHAPTER XVII.

Clinton.

The missing cap—­Splitting wood—­Jerry and Emily—­A quarrel begun—­The cap found—­A drink of buttermilk—­Oscar’s opinion of it—­Jerry’s love for it—­Another delay—­Feeding the fowls—­A mysterious letter—­The Shanghae rooster’s complaint—­Curiosity excited—­The suspected author—­Clinton’s education—­Keeping dark about the letter—­Who Clinton was—­Where he lived—­Killing caterpillars—­How caterpillars breed—­The young turkeys—­The brood of chickens—­The hen-coop—­Clinton’s management of the poultry—­His profits—­Success the result of effort, not of luck—­The “rooster’s letter” not alluded to—­The piggery—­The barn—­“The horse’s prayer”—­A new-comer—­Her name—­A discovery—­Relationship of Clinton to Whistler—­Mrs. Davenport—­Oscar conceals his dislike of Whistler—­The shop—­Specimens of Clinton’s work—­Going home.

CHAPTER XVIII.

The letter.

A forgotten duty called to mind—­Letter writing—­A mysterious allusion—­The private room—­No backing out—­Making a beginning—­Getting stuck—­Idling away time—­Prying into letters—­A commotion among the swallows—­Teaching the young ones how to fly—­A good lesson lost—­Mary and her book—­Her talk about the pictures—­A pretty picture—­A wasted hour—­Making another attempt—­His success—­Effects of being in earnest—­A copy of Oscar’s letter—­Emily’s inquisitiveness—­A rebuke—­The message she wanted to send—­The meadow lot—­Mulching for trees—­Going to the old wood lot—­Cutting birch twigs-Forgetting to be lazy—­The load—­A ride to the Cross-Roads—­Mailing the letter—­Paying the postage in advance.

CHAPTER XIX.

The recall.