 of the basket in the other,
stepping always, by a peculiar gift, in the muddiest places, and looking darkly
radiant from under her beaver-bonnet because Tom was good to her. She had told
Tom, however, that she should like him to put the worms on the hook for her,
although she accepted his word when he assured her that worms couldn't feel (it
was Tom's private opinion that it didn't much matter if they did). He knew all
about worms, and fish, and those things; and what birds were mischievous, and
how padlocks opened, and which way the handles of the gates were to be lifted.
Maggie thought this sort of knowledge was very wonderful - much more difficult
than remembering what was in the books; and she was rather in awe of Tom's
superiority, for he was the only person who called her knowledge »stuff,« and
did not feel surprised at her cleverness. Tom, indeed, was of opinion that
Maggie was a silly little thing; all girls were silly - they couldn't throw a
stone so as to hit anything, couldn't do anything with a pocket-knife, and were
frightened at frogs. Still he was very fond of his sister, and meant always to
take care of her, make her his housekeeper, and punish her when she did wrong.
    They were on their way to the Round Pool - that wonderful pool, which the
floods had made a long while ago: no one knew how deep it was; and it was
mysterious, too, that it should be almost a perfect round, framed in with
willows and tall reeds, so that the water was only to be seen when you got close
to the brink. The sight of the old favourite spot always heightened Tom's
good-humour, and he spoke to Maggie in the most amicable whispers, as he opened
the precious basket, and prepared their tackle. He threw her line for her, and
put the rod into her hand. Maggie thought it probable that the small fish would
come to her hook, and the large ones to Tom's. But she had forgotten all about
the fish, and was looking dreamily at the glassy water, when Tom said, in a loud
whisper, »Look, look, Maggie!« and came running to prevent her from snatching
her line away.
    Maggie was frightened lest she had been doing something wrong, as usual, but
presently Tom drew out her line and brought a large tench bouncing on the grass.
    Tom was excited.
