`` Oh ! you mean that she does lots for me ; so I ought to do what I can for her , and love her dearly , '' said Ned , getting a pleasanter face every minute . The shadow nodded , and worked away as busily as the bees , tumbling heels over head in the great yellow squash blossoms , and getting as dusty as little millers . Somehow Ned rather liked the work , with such an odd comrade near by ; for , though the shadow did n't really help a bit , it seemed to try , and set an excellent example . When the basket was full , the shadow took one handle , and Ned the other ; and they carried it in . `` Thank you , dear . I was afraid we should have to give up our peas to-day : I 'm so busy , I ca n't stop , '' said mamma , looking surprised and pleased . Ned could n't stop to talk ; for the shadow ran away to the woodpile , and began to chop with all its might . `` Well , I suppose I must ; but I never saw such a fellow for work as this shadow is . He is n't a bit like me , though he 's been with me so long , '' said Ned , swinging the real hatchet in time with the shadowy one . Polly 's new mistress went to the dining-room , and fell to washing up the breakfast cups . Polly hated that work , and sulkily began to rattle the spoons and knock the things about . But the shadow would n't allow that ; and Polly had to do just what it did , though she grumbled all the while . `` She does n't splash a bit , or make any clatter ; so I guess she 's a tidy creature , '' said Polly . `` How long she does rub each spoon and glass . We never shall get done . What a fuss she makes with the napkins , laying them all even in the drawer . And now she 's at the salt-cellars , doing them just as mamma likes . I wish she 'd live here , and do my work for me . Why , what 's that ? ''
And XXXXX stopped fretting to listen ; for she seemed to hear the sound of singing , -- so sweet , and yet so very faint she could catch no words , and only make out a cheerful little tune .
Ned Polly drawer might millers minute salt-cellars shadow spoons woodpile