36 FOREST FANCIES 



bush, you air so handy at the siruping-down. 

 I like useful children. Has your ma got many 

 like you?'' 



**So many," cried Nani, 'Hhat she is going 

 to let me come and stay with you I'' 



And she laughed as she ran to gather more 

 sap, for the maples gave her plentifully of 

 their store. Aunt Miranda's spectacles were 

 very clear, and she saw that the trees 

 responded to Nani's touch as if Nani were the 

 very sunshine. 



*^She certainly is a likely child,'' she said 

 briskly to Uncle Isaac and Farmer Brier, 

 *^and it would really pay to give her a home. 

 Her folks most likely want to bind her 

 out." 



The thin sirup that had been saved from 

 time to time was now put over the fire. When 

 it was warm. Aunt Miranda stirred in beaten 

 eggs to clarify it, and before it boiled. Uncle 

 Isaac skimmed off the dark scum that rose to 

 the surface, leaving the clear, honey-colored 

 sirup to boil and thicken until ready to strain 

 into the bright new cans. 



