Overhead the chestnuts
rioted in broad leaf and pink and white blossom, showing starry
bits of blue sky and admitting arrow shafts of spring sunshine. A
dirty white mongrel dog belonging to the barge came up to her,
sniffed, and made friends; then, at last obeying a series of
whistles from the boy, looked at her apologetically and trotted
off. Her gaze followed him wistfully, for he was a very human dear
dog, and with a sympathetic understanding of all her difficulties
in his deep topaz eyes. After that she had as companions a couple
of butterflies and a bumble-bee and a perky, portly robin who
hopped within an inch of her feet and looked up at her sideways
out of his hard little eye (so different from the dog's) with the
expression of one who would say: "The most beauteous and
delectable worm I have ever encountered. If I were a bit bigger,
say the size of the roc of the Arabian Nights, what a dainty
morsel you would make! In the meantime can't you shed something of
yourself for my entertainment like others, though grosser, of your
species?" She laughed at the cold impudence of the creature, just
as she had smiled at the butterflies and the bumble-bee.
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