Chapter I

When little Mary Moffett's mother asked her to go up to the Clover Farm for some fresh [eggs], Mary felt a little sorry, for she was very busy making her [doll] a [dress], but she laid down her [thimble] and [scissors] and [yarn], tied on her pink [bonnet], and set off up the hill, with her little [basket] on her [arm]. As she was coming home she heard a queer little patter, patter, behind her. She looked back and saw something white! [Mary] felt a wee bit afraid, and began to run but her [foot] struck a [stone] and down she tumbled on her [nose]! Before she could get up something soft and woolly was rubbing gently against her [face], saying "Ba-a-a!" "Oh you darling lamb!" cried Mary, hugging it--and the little [lamb] snuggled close, and said "Ba-a-a! Take me home with you, little Mary." [Mother] was astonished. "Whose lamb is it?" she asked. "Oh Mother, I think it's just a wild lamb! Mayn't I keep it?" begged [Mary]. But Mother said she must ask Farmer Clover if it was one of his [sheep], first. So back they went, and found Farmer Clover mending his [fence] and Mary asked him. But there were two big tears in her [eyes]--she did so want that dear [lamb]--and the kind old [man] saw them. "Well, yes," he said, "that's my lamb--but it's an extra one, that I haven't any room for. If I knew anybody who would be willing to take it and treat it well--" "Oh, Mr. Clover!" cried [Mary], her eyes dancing, now, and her [feet] dancing, too. "_I'd_ be willing! _I'd_ treat it well! May _I_ have it?" So Mary and the little [lamb] went dancing home together. And kind old [Mr. Clover] watched them and laughed till his [axe] danced in his [hand], and his [glasses] danced on his [nose].