`` 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 Polly 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 . `` Do you hear any one singing , mamma ? '' she asked . `` No : I wish I did . '' And mamma sighed ; for baby was poorly , piles of sewing lay waiting for her , Biddy was turning things topsy-turvy in the kitchen for want of a word from the mistress , and Polly was looking sullen . The little girl did n't say any more , but worked quietly and watched the shadow , feeling sure the faint song came from it . Presently she began to hum the tune she caught by snatches ; and , before she knew it , she was singing away like a blackbird . Baby stopped crying , and mamma said , smiling : `` Now I hear somebody singing , and it 's the music I like best in the world . ''
That pleased Polly ; but , a minute after , she stopped smiling , for the shadow went and took baby , or seemed to , and XXXXX really did .
Baby Biddy Ned Polly blackbird clatter creature salt-cellars snatches spoons