He did n't know what they were , and mamma had often told him never to eat strange things . But they smelt so good , and looked so nice , he could n't resist , and lifted one to his mouth , when little shadow motioned for him to stop . `` Oh , dear ! you do n't let me do any thing I want to , '' sighed Will . `` I shall ask Polly if I tar n't eat these ; and , if she says I may , I shall , so now . '' He ran off to ask Polly ; but she said they were poisonous , and begged him to throw them away . `` Good little shadow , to keep me safe ! '' cried Will . `` I like you ; and I 'll mind better next time , 'cause you are always right . '' The shadow seemed to like this , and bobbed about so comically it made Will laugh till his eyes were full of tears . Ned came back , and they went on , having grand times in the wood . They found plenty of berries to fill the basket ; they swung down on slender birches , and got rolls of white bark for canoes ; they saw all sorts of wild-wood insects and birds ; and frolicked till they were tired . As they crossed a field , a cow suddenly put down her head and ran at them , as if she was afraid they meant to hurt her calf . All turned , and ran as fast as they could toward the wall ; but poor Will in his fright tumbled down , and lay screaming . Ned and Polly had reached the wall , and , looking back , saw that their shadows had not followed . Ned 's stood before Will , brandishing his pole ; and Polly 's was flapping a shadowy sun-bonnet with all its might . As soon as they saw that , back they went , -- Ned to threaten till he broke his pole , and Polly to flap till the strings came off . As if anxious to do its part , the bonnet flew up in the air , and coming down lit on the cross cow 's head ; which so astonished her that she ran away as hard as she could pelt . `` Was n't that funny ? '' said Will , when they had tumbled over the wall , and lay laughing in the grass on the safe side .
`` I 'm glad I wore the old bonnet ; for I suppose my best hat would have gone just the same , '' said XXXXX thankfully .
Ned Polly air bonnet flap fright head right sun-bonnet wall