Caddie Woodlawn Read Online Free PDF Page A

climbed to the haymow. Nero went with them to the bottom of the ladder. He was quick to sense trouble of any sort and his tail wagged in mournful sympathy. Caddie and Warren buried themselves in the hay and talked things over. When Father or Mother made a decision, the Woodlawn children accepted it as final. There was very little teasing for favors in a large pioneer family. But not to meet Uncle Edmund was unthinkable.
    â€œIt’s just because they haven’t room for us in the wagon,” said Caddie at last, “but if we walked——”
    â€œSure,” said Warren, his face brightening, “and let’s not tell them we’re walking either. Let’s save it for a—a surprise.”
    â€œOr maybe we could take one of the horses,” suggested Caddie.
    â€œPete’s the fastest,” said Warren.
    â€œBetter take Betsy. Pete always runs for the low shed behind the barn and scrapes us off.”
    â€œSure,” said Warren, “we’ll take Betsy!”
    When the time came to meet the steamer, Clara and Tom, in their Sunday clothes, climbed into the wagon behind Mr. and Mrs. Woodlawn. Tom was a little sorry for Caddie and Warren, but he couldn’t resist a smirk of satisfaction. Only, strangely enough, Caddie and Warren did not seem as depressed over being left behind as they should have been. They stood beside the wagon, grinning like two Cheshire cats. Hetty and little Minnie stood with them, looking properly wistful. The moment the wagon started Caddie and Warren made a beeline for the barn to get old Betsy and ride across the fields and through the woods.
    Hetty saw them go, and instant realization of what they were going to do flashed across her mind. Here was something important to tell. “Father! Mother!” she shouted, running down the lane behind the wagon. “Stop! Stop! Father! Mother!” But her voice was lost in the rattle of wheels, and in a cloud of dust the wagon disappeared. Across the field in the other direction flew Betsy, the black mare, with only a rope and halter, and Caddie and Warren clinging like monkeys to her bare back.
    Dunnville consisted of the schoolhouse which thechildren attended in winter and summer, a few log cabins, a store, and two taverns, one on either side of the river where the Little Steamer docked and turned around. As the Little Steamer came into sight, Mr. and Mrs. Woodlawn, Clara and Tom were standing on the dock ready with handkerchiefs to wave at sight of Uncle Edmund. Yes, Uncle Edmund was there. His round face was creased with smiles. His round eyes, behind his spectacles, twinkled with delight.
    As soon as his voice could be heard over the sound of churning water, he shouted: “Hello there! Hello, Harriet and John! Hello, Tom and Clara! Hey, there, Caddie and Warren! Why don’t you come on down?”
    Caddie and Warren! The Woodlawns on the dock turned sharply around. There they were, Caddie and Warren, sitting on the bank above, their bare legs dangling, their red heads shining. They grinned sheepishly.
    â€œWell, of all things!” cried Mrs. Woodlawn, her clear brow darkening ominously. She was going to say a great deal more, but suddenly the Little Steamer docked with a bump and she was obliged to catch her husband’s arm to keep her balance. Then they were all in Uncle Edmund’s large, enthusiastic embrace—even Caddie and Warren. Uncle Edmund was so delighted that they had all come to meet him that nobody



could bear to tell him it had not been planned that way.
    As they were walking up the path from the dock, Uncle Edmund began to fumble in his pocket. “Wait,” he said, “I’ve got a present here for Caddie.”
    Caddie stopped in her tracks, speechless with joy. The others crowded around them. Out of his pocket Uncle Edmund took a fat little book. Caddie had never felt much need of books, but any sort of present was a rare delight. She took the little