LHE wind was whispering among the corn, rustling
about the long blades, waving their green lengths
back and forth, and swinging the tasselled tops,
which rose high above the head of a little child
almost hidden by the tall stalks. Rhoda was wandering about
the cornfield, peeping up at the blue sky which she could see
between the waving corn. “I wish I had a doll to play with,”
thought Rhoda. “If Lizzie had not broken my Annette I
could play with her.” The little girl sat down disconsolately
upon a stone; presently up hopped a little dusty toad and
squatted down close beside her: he blinked at her with his
funny pop-eyes. Rhoda looked at him. “ What an ugly doll -
you would make, toady !” she said. ‘“ Now, maybe I have hurt
his feelings,” exclaimed she. “Never mind, little toady, you
might be a great deal uglier.”

The toad hopped away.
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