and hid his face in Nan 's skirts . For a moment Nan quailed ; ever her courage gave out at the thought of a real bear , and she was about to turn and flee in great disorder , when a mild `` Moo ! '' changed her fear to merriment , as she said , laughing , `` It 's a cow , Robby ! the nice , black cow we saw this afternoon . '' The cow seemed to feel that it was not just the thing to meet two little people in her pasture after dark , and the amiable beast paused to inquire into the case . She let them stroke her , and stood regarding them with her soft eyes so mildly , that Nan , who feared no animal but a bear , was fired with a desire to milk her . `` Silas taught me how ; and berries and milk would be so nice , '' she said , emptying the contents of her pail into her hat , and boldly beginning her new task , while Rob stood by and repeated , at her command , the poem from Mother Goose : `` Cushy cow , bonny , let down your milk , Let down your milk to me , And I will give you a gown of silk , A gown of silk and a silver tee . '' But the immortal rhyme had little effect , for the benevolent cow had already been milked , and had only half a gill to give the thirsty children . `` Shoo ! get away ! you are an old cross patch , '' cried Nan , ungratefully , as she gave up the attempt in despair ; and poor Molly walked on with a gentle gurgle of surprise and reproof . `` Each can have a sip , and then we must take a walk . We shall go to sleep if we do n't ; and lost people must n't sleep . Do n't you know how Hannah Lee in the pretty story slept under the snow and died ? '' `` But there is n't any snow now , and it 's nice and warm , '' said Rob , who was not blessed with as lively a fancy as Nan . `` No matter , we will poke about a little , and call some more ; and then , if nobody comes , we will hide under the bushes , like Hop - ` o-my-thumb and his brothers . '' It was a very short walk , however , for Rob was so sleepy he could not get on , and tumbled down so often that Nan entirely lost patience , being half distracted by the responsibility she had taken upon herself . `` If you tumble down again , I 'll shake you , '' she said , lifting the poor little man up very kindly as she spoke , for Nan 's bark was much worse than her bite . `` Please do n't . It 's my boots they keep slipping so ; '' and Rob manfully checked the sob just ready to break out , adding , with a plaintive patience that touched Nan 's heart , `` If the skeeters did n't bite me so , I could go to sleep till Marmar comes . ''
`` Put your head on my lap , and I 'll cover you up with my apron ; I 'm not afraid of the night , '' said XXXXX , sitting down and trying to persuade herself that she did not mind the shadow nor the mysterious rustlings all about her .
Lee Marmar Molly Mother Nan Rob Robby Silas bonny skeeters