Eves Diary | Page 2

one I wasn't after I couldn't hit the other one, though I did make
some close shots, for I saw the black blot of the clod sail right into the
midst of the golden clusters forty or fifty times, just barely missing
them, and if I could have held out a little longer maybe I could have got
one.
So I cried a little, which was natural, I suppose, for one of my age, and
after I was rested I got a basket and started for a place on the extreme
rim of the circle, where the stars were close to the ground and I could
get them with my hands, which would be better, anyway, because I

could gather them tenderly then, and not break them. But it was farther
than I thought, and at last I had go give it up; I was so tired I couldn't
drag my feet another step; and besides, they were sore and hurt me very
much.
I couldn't get back home; it was too far and turning cold; but I found
some tigers and nestled in among them and was most adorably
comfortable, and their breath was sweet and pleasant, because they live
on strawberries. I had never seen a tiger before, but I knew them in a
minute by the stripes. If I could have one of those skins, it would make
a lovely gown.
Today I am getting better ideas about distances. I was so eager to get
hold of every pretty thing that I giddily grabbed for it, sometimes when
it was too far off, and sometimes when it was but six inches away but
seemed a foot--alas, with thorns between! I learned a lesson; also I
made an axiom, all out of my own head--my very first one; THE
SCRATCHED EXPERIMENT SHUNS THE THORN. I think it is a
very good one for one so young.
I followed the other Experiment around, yesterday afternoon, at a
distance, to see what it might be for, if I could. But I was not able to
make out. I think it is a man. I had never seen a man, but it looked like
one, and I feel sure that that is what it is. I realize that I feel more
curiosity about it than about any of the other reptiles. If it is a reptile,
and I suppose it is; for it has frowzy hair and blue eyes, and looks like a
reptile. It has no hips; it tapers like a carrot; when it stands, it spreads
itself apart like a derrick; so I think it is a reptile, though it may be
architecture.
I was afraid of it at first, and started to run every time it turned around,
for I thought it was going to chase me; but by and by I found it was
only trying to get away, so after that I was not timid any more, but
tracked it along, several hours, about twenty yards behind, which made
it nervous and unhappy. At last it was a good deal worried, and climbed
a tree. I waited a good while, then gave it up and went home.
Today the same thing over. I've got it up the tree again.

SUNDAY.--It is up there yet. Resting, apparently. But that is a
subterfuge: Sunday isn't the day of rest; Saturday is appointed for that.
It looks to me like a creature that is more interested in resting than it
anything else. It would tire me to rest so much. It tires me just to sit
around and watch the tree. I do wonder what it is for; I never see it do
anything.
They returned the moon last night, and I was SO happy! I think it is
very honest of them. It slid down and fell off again, but I was not
distressed; there is no need to worry when one has that kind of
neighbors; they will fetch it back. I wish I could do something to show
my appreciation. I would like to send them some stars, for we have
more than we can use. I mean I, not we, for I can see that the reptile
cares nothing for such things.
It has low tastes, and is not kind. When I went there yesterday evening
in the gloaming it had crept down and was trying to catch the little
speckled fishes that play in the pool, and I had to clod it to make it go
up the tree again and let them alone. I wonder if THAT is what it is for?
Hasn't it any heart? Hasn't it any compassion for those little creature?
Can it be that it was designed and manufactured for such ungentle work?
It has the look of it. One of