Feeling that nothing worse could possibly happen to him , Will ran after his shadow , as it flitted away into the barn , and began to feed the chickens . `` There , now ! I forgetted all about my chickeys , and the shadow ` membered 'em ; and I 'm glad of it , '' said Will , scattering dabs of meal and water to the chirping , downy little creatures who pecked and fluttered at his feet . Little shadow hunted for eggs , drove the turkeys out of the garden , and picked a basket of chips : then it went to play with Sammy , a neighbor 's child ; for , being a small shadow , it had n't many jobs to do , and plenty of active play was good for it . Sammy was a rough little boy and rather selfish : so , when they played ball , he wanted to throw all the time ; and , when Will objected , he grew angry and struck him . The blow did n't hurt Will 's cheek much , but it did his little feelings ; and he lifted his hand to strike back , when he saw his shadow go and kiss Sammy 's shadow . All his anger was gone in a minute , and he just put his arm round Sammy 's neck and kissed him . This kiss for a blow made him so ashamed that he began to cry , and could n't be comforted till he had given Will his best marble and a ride on his pony . About an hour before dinner , the three shadows and the children met in the garden , and had a grand game of play , after they had told each other what they had been doing since they parted . Now , the shadows did n't forget baby even then , but got out the wagon , and Miss Baby , all fresh from her nap , sat among her pillows like a queen , while Ned was horse , Polly footman , and Will driver ; and in this way she travelled all round the garden and barn , up the lane and down to the brook , where she was much delighted with the water sparkling along and the fine splash of the stones they threw in . When the dinner-bell rang , mamma saw four clean , rosy faces and four smooth heads at the table ; for the shadow-children made themselves neat , without being told . Every one was merry and hungry and good-natured . Even poor baby forgot her teeth , and played a regular rub-a-dub with her spoon on her mug , and tried to tell about the fine things she saw on her drive . The children said nothing about the new play , and no one observed the queer actions of their shadows but themselves . They saw that there was no gobbling , or stretching over , or spilling of things , among the shadows ; but that they waited to be helped , served others first , and ate tidily , which was a great improvement upon the usual state of things . It was Saturday afternoon : the day was fine , and mamma told them they could go for a holiday frolic in the woods . `` Do n't go to the pond , and be home early , '' she said . `` Yes , mamma ; we 'll remember , '' they answered , as they scampered away to get ready . `` We shall go through the village , and Mary King will be looking out ; so I shall wear my best hat . Mamma wo n't see me , if I slip down the back way ; and I do so want Mary to know that my hat is prettier than hers , '' said Polly , up in her little room .
Now XXXXX was rather vain , and liked to prink ; so she got out the new hat , and spent some time in smoothing her braids and putting on her blue ribbons .
King Mary Polly Sammy Will afternoon chickeys downy first minute