And she cried so hard that great tears fell on the moss . Polly was sorry now , and sat looking at her till she saw her shadow down on its knees , picking up the berries ; then it seemed to fold its little handkerchief round the girl 's bruised foot , and give her something from its pocket . Polly jumped up and imitated the kind shadow , even to giving the great piece of gingerbread she had brought for fear she should be hungry . `` Take this , '' she said gently . `` I 'm sorry I frightened you . Here are the berries all picked up , and none the worse for falling in the grass . If you 'll take them to the white house on the hill , my mamma will buy them , and then your mother wo n't scold you . '' `` Oh , thank you , miss ! It 's ever so good . I 'll take the berries to your mother , and bring her more whenever she likes , '' said the child gratefully , as she walked away munching the gingerbread , and smiling till there were little rainbows in her tears . Meanwhile Ned had poked about in the bushes , looking for a good pole . Presently he saw a willow down by the pond , and thought that would give him a nice , smooth pole . He forgot his promise , and down he went to the pond ; where he cut his stick , and was whittling the end , when he saw a boat by the shore . It was untied , and oars lay in it , as if waiting for some one to come and row out . `` I 'll just take a little pull across , and get those cardinal-flowers for Polly , '' he said ; and went to the boat . He got in , and was about to push off , when he saw his shadow standing on the shore . `` Do n't be a fool ; get in , and come along , '' he said to it , remembering his promise now , but deciding to break it , and ask pardon afterwards . But the shadow shook its head ; pointed to the swift stream that ran between the banks , the rocks and mud on the opposite side , and the leaky boat itself . `` I ai n't afraid : mamma wo n't mind , if I tell her I 'm sorry ; and it will be such fun to row alone . Be a good fellow , and let me go , '' said Ned , beckoning .
But the shadow would not stir , and XXXXX was obliged to mind .
Ned Polly fellow gingerbread house knees oars pole promise rainbows