`` I 'm going to cut a fishing-pole , and will be back in a minute . '' And Ned went crashing into the thickest part of the wood . `` I shall see where that rabbit went to , and maybe I 'll find some berries , '' said Will , trotting down the path the wild rabbit had gone . The sound of the boys ' steps died away , and Polly was wondering how it would seem to live all alone in the wood , when a little girl came trudging by , with a great pail of berries on her arm . She was a poor child : her feet were bare , her gown was ragged , she wore an old shawl over her head , and walked as if lame . Polly sat behind the ferns , and the child did not see her till Polly called out . The sudden sound startled her ; and she dropped her pail , spilling the berries all over the path . The little girl began to cry , and Polly to laugh , saying , in a scornful tone : `` How silly to cry for a few berries ! '' `` I 've been all day picking 'em , '' said the girl ; `` and I 'm so tired and hungry ; 'cause I did n't dare to go home till my pail was full , -- mother scolds if I do , -- and now they 're all spoilt . Oh , dear ! dear me ! '' And she cried so hard that great tears fell on the moss . Polly was sorry now , and sat looking at her till she saw her shadow down on its knees , picking up the berries ; then it seemed to fold its little handkerchief round the girl 's bruised foot , and give her something from its pocket . Polly jumped up and imitated the kind shadow , even to giving the great piece of gingerbread she had brought for fear she should be hungry . `` Take this , '' she said gently . `` I 'm sorry I frightened you . Here are the berries all picked up , and none the worse for falling in the grass . If you 'll take them to the white house on the hill , my mamma will buy them , and then your mother wo n't scold you . '' `` Oh , thank you , miss ! It 's ever so good .
I 'll take the berries to your mother , and bring her more whenever she likes , '' XXXXX the child gratefully , as she walked away munching the gingerbread , and smiling till there were little rainbows in her tears .
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