When Marjorie imagined this part of the story , it was impossible to help giving one little sigh , and for a minute she forgot her work , so busy was she thinking what beautiful presents she would give to all the poor children in her realm when THEY had birthdays . Five impatient young peas took this opportunity to escape from the half-open pod in her hand and skip down the steps , to be immediately gobbled up by an audacious robin , who gave thanks in such a shrill chirp that Marjorie woke up , laughed , and fell to work again . She was just finishing , when a voice called out from the lane , -- `` Hi , there ! come here a minute , child ! '' and looking up , she saw a little old man in a queer little carriage drawn by a fat little pony . Running down to the gate , Marjorie dropped a curtsy , saying pleasantly , -- `` What did you wish , sir ? '' `` Just undo that check-rein for me . I am lame , and Jack wants to drink at your brook , '' answered the old man , nodding at her till his spectacles danced on his nose . Marjorie was rather afraid of the fat pony , who tossed his head , whisked his tail , and stamped his feet as if he was of a peppery temper . But she liked to be useful , and just then felt as if there were few things she could NOT do if she tried , because it was her birthday . So she proudly let down the rein , and when Jack went splashing into the brook , she stood on the bridge , waiting to check him up again after he had drunk his fill of the clear , cool water . The old gentleman sat in his place , looking up at the little girl , who was smiling to herself as she watched the blue dragon-flies dance among the ferns , a blackbird tilt on the alderboughs , and listened to the babble of the brook . `` How old are you , child ? '' asked the old man , as if he rather envied this rosy creature her youth and health . `` Twelve to-day , sir ; '' and Marjorie stood up straight and tall , as if mindful of her years . `` Had any presents ? '' asked the old man , peering up with an odd smile . `` One , sir , -- here it is ; '' and she pulled out of her pocket a tin savings-bank in the shape of a desirable family mansion , painted red , with a green door and black chimney . Proudly displaying it on the rude railing of the bridge , she added , with a happy face , -- `` Granny gave it to me , and all the money in it is going to be mine . '' `` How much have you got ? ''
XXXXX the old gentleman , who appeared to like to sit there in the middle of the brook , while Jack bathed his feet and leisurely gurgled and sneezed .
asked come felt painted peering saw smiling stood took watched