"It isn't that they're plain," Stella went on, "or countrified. I don't mind those things. But they're uninteresting. When I go to see them, they just talk about the minister, and the dressmaker, and the village gossip." "Yes," said Ladybird, again nodding her head like an owl, "I know." "How do you know, you ridiculous child?" said Stella, laughing. "How old are you, you mountain of knowledge?" "I do know," said Ladybird, shaking her thin forefinger at her companion across an intervening apple-twig--"I do know just what it is you want and can't get,--and I'm twelve." "Oh, you are. Well, my twelve-year-old Solomon, what is it that Stella Russell wants and can't get?" "You don't want beauty," said Ladybird, who was gazing in sheer delight at the lovely face before her, "for you've got it; and I think you have education, and accomplishments, and all those things. But you want to be in a place where you can give all those things to others and take some of theirs in return." "You're a witch," said Stella, looking at the pale child before her with amazement. "Oh, I know," went on Ladybird, her big eyes growing bigger, and her head nodding most expressively. "You want to be among people who talk quick, shining talk that doesn't mean much, but that's witty and bright, and most pleasant to hear; and people can't talk like that unless they have a whole lot of big knowledge, too, that they can use when they need it; and of course," and now the head was shaking slowly from side to side, "the Plainville people aren't like that." "No, they're not," said Stella. "But will you please tell me how you know all this?" "I know it," said Ladybird, "because it is true, that's all. I always know true things; and besides, my mamma ran away from Plainville because she wanted to marry my papa, who was the other kind." "Well, I can't run away," said Stella, laughing. "You could if you had any one to run with," said Ladybird, gravely. "Well, perhaps I could, but I certainly wouldn't." "No, I s'pose you wouldn't." "Well, never mind about me," said Stella; "it doesn't make any difference what sort of people I want if I can't get them; and since you've offered, I think you'll do very nicely for a friend." "Yes; I'm a good friend," said Ladybird, with an air of calm confidence in herself; "but I'm not always good. Sometimes I'm very naughty, and I try my dear aunts most exceeding; but then," she added, with a sigh, "sometimes they are a fearsome trial to me." "I've heard of some of your pranks," said Stella, smiling; "and I'm not sure but you are a naughty little girl." "I guess I am a naughty girl," said Ladybird, soberly; "and sometimes I do it on purpose, and sometimes it's just because I was born so." "Well, there's the dinner-bell," said Stella; "even if you are a naughty girl, I'd like to have you come in and take dinner with us, if you will. My grandparents will be glad to see you."