Queechy

A single cloud on a sunny day When all the rest of heaven is clear, A frown upon the atmosphere, That hath no business to appear, When skies are blue and earth is gay. Byron. Come, dear grandpa!-the old mare and the wagon are at the gate-all ready." "Well, dear!"-responded a cheerful hearty voice, "they must wait a bit; I haven't got my hat yet." "O I'll get that." And the little speaker, a girl of some ten or eleven years old, dashed past the old gentleman and running along the narrow passage which led to his room soon returned with the hat in her hand. "Yes, dear, -but that ain't all. I must put on my great-coat-and I must look and see if I can find any money-" "O yes-for the post-office. It's a beautiful day, grandpa. Cynthy!-won't you come and help grandpa on with his great-coat?-And I'll go out and keep watch of the old mare till you're ready." A needless caution. For the old mare, though spirited enough for her years, had seen some fourteen or fifteen of them and was in no sort of danger of running away. She stood in what was called the back meadow, just without the little paling fence that enclosed a small courtyard round the house. Around this courtyard rich pasture-fields lay on every side, the high road cutting through them not more than a hundred or two feet from the house.