But Ariadne Blish was the worst failure of all , for Rose could not bear the sight of her , and said she was so like a wax doll she longed to give her a pinch and see if she would squeak . So prim little Ariadne was sent home , and the exhausted aunties left Rose to her own devices for a day or two . Bad weather and a cold kept her in-doors , and she spent most of her time in the library where her father 's books were stored . Here she read a great deal , cried a little , and dreamed many of the innocent bright dreams in which imaginative children find such comfort and delight . This suited her better than anything else , but it was not good for her , and she grew pale , heavy-eyed and listless , though Aunt Plenty gave her iron enough to make a cooking-stove , and Aunt Peace petted her like a poodle . Seeing this , the poor aunties racked their brains for a new amusement and determined to venture a bold stroke , though not very hopeful of its success . They said nothing to Rose about their plan for this Saturday afternoon , but let her alone till the time came for the grand surprise , little dreaming that the odd child would find pleasure for herself in a most unexpected quarter . Before she had time to squeeze out a single tear a sound broke the stillness , making her prick up her ears . It was only the soft twitter of a bird , but it seemed to be a peculiarly gifted bird , for while she listened the soft twitter changed to a lively whistle , then a trill , a coo , a chirp , and ended in a musical mixture of all the notes , as if the bird burst out laughing . Rose laughed also , and , forgetting her woes , jumped up , saying eagerly , `` It is a mocking-bird . Where is it ? '' Running down the long hall , she peeped out at both doors , but saw nothing feathered except a draggle-tailed chicken under a burdock leaf . She listened again , and the sound seemed to be in the house . Away she went , much excited by the chase , and following the changeful song , it led her to the china-closet door . `` In there ? How funny ! '' she said . But when she entered , not a bird appeared except the everlastingly kissing swallows on the Canton china that lined the shelves . All of a sudden Rose 's face brightened , and , softly opening the slide , she peered into the kitchen . But the music had stopped , and all she saw was a girl in a blue apron scrubbing the hearth .
Rose stared about her for a minute , and then asked abruptly , `` Did you hear that XXXXX ? ''
Ariadne Peace Rose afternoon aunties burdock coo cooking-stove day mocking-bird