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EVE’S DIARY

animal I know what it is. I don’t have new shelter which he has built, to ask
to reflect a moment; the right name him what I had done that was wrong
comes out instantly, just as if it were and how I could mend it and get back
an inspiration, as no doubt it is, for I his kindness again; but he put me out
am sure it wasn’t in me half a minute in the rain, and it was my first sorrow.
before. I seem to know just by the
shape of the creature and the way it SUNDAY.--It is pleasant again,
acts what animal it is. now, and I am happy; but those were
When the dodo came along he heavy days; I do not think of them
thought it was a wildcat--I saw it in when I can help it.
his eye. But I saved him. And I was I tried to get him some of those
careful not to do it in a way that could apples, but I cannot learn to throw
hurt his pride. I just spoke up in a straight. I failed, but I think the good
quite natural way of pleasing surprise, intention pleased him. They are
and not as if I was dreaming of forbidden, and he says I shall come to
conveying information, and said, harm; but so I come to harm through
“Well, I do declare, if there isn’t the pleasing him, why shall I care for that
dodo!” I explained--without seeming harm?
to be explaining--how I know it for a
dodo, and although I thought maybe MONDAY.--This morning I told
he was a little piqued that I knew the him my name, hoping it would
creature when he didn’t, it was quite interest him. But he did not care for
evident that he admired me. That was it. It is strange. If he should tell me
very agreeable, and I thought of it his name, I would care. I think it
more than once with gratification would be pleasanter in my ears than
before I slept. How little a thing can any other sound.
make us happy when we feel that we He talks very little. Perhaps it is
have earned it! because he is not bright, and is
sensitive about it and wishes to
THURSDAY.--my first sorrow. conceal it. It is such a pity that he
Yesterday he avoided me and seemed should feel so, for brightness is
to wish I would not talk to him. I nothing; it is in the heart that the
could not believe it, and thought there values lie. I wish I could make him
was some mistake, for I loved to be understand that a loving good heart is
with him, and loved to hear him talk, riches, and riches enough, and that
and so how could it be that he could without it intellect is poverty.
feel unkind toward me when I had not Although he talks so little, he has
done anything? But at last it seemed quite a considerable vocabulary. This
true, so I went away and sat lonely in morning he used a surprisingly good
the place where I first saw him the word. He evidently recognized,
morning that we were made and I did himself, that it was a good one, for he
not know what he was and was worked it in twice afterward, casually.
indifferent about him; but now it was It was good casual art, still it showed
a mournful place, and every little that he possesses a certain quality of
thing spoke of him, and my heart was perception. Without a doubt that seed
very sore. I did not know why very can be made to grow, if cultivated.
clearly, for it was a new feeling; I had Where did he get that word? I do
not experienced it before, and it was not think I have ever used it.
all a mystery, and I could not make it No, he took no interest in my name.
out. I tried to hide my disappointment, but
But when night came I could not I suppose I did not succeed. I went
bear the lonesomeness, and went to the away and sat on the moss-bank with

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