`` 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 Ned was obliged to mind . He did so very reluctantly , and scolded the shadow well as he went back to Polly ; though all the time he felt he was doing right , and knew he should be glad afterwards . Will trotted after the rabbit , but did n't find it ; he found a bird 's - nest instead with four little birds in it . He had an empty cage at home , and longed for something to put in it ; for kittens did n't like it , and caterpillars and beetlebugs got away .
He chose the biggest bird , and , holding him carefully , walked away to find XXXXX .
Ned Polly beetlebugs fellow gingerbread house oars pole rainbows right