Robert Louis Stevenson reader

Part 2 — IN THE COUNTRY

Reading edition

Louis and his cousins have been spending the summer in the country.

It has been a long summer of out-of-door fun.

They have played among the flowers in the garden.

They have run races and played games in the fields.

Here, too, they have gathered the beautiful wild flowers.

Who, do you think, made up most of the games they played?

Down in the meadow they watched the cows feeding.

The meadow gates were so broad all the children could swing on them.

They visited the stable to see the horses.

Perhaps they rode them to work.

When the tired, thirsty horses came for a drink the children pumped the clear cold water for them.

They climbed the ladder into the hayloft.

There they found the nests the hens had hidden away.

Perhaps some days, when it rained, Louis went away alone.

The hayloft would be a fine place for the lad.

Here he could rest on the sweet hay.

Five children are playing around a wooden country fence with grass beneath their feet. From left to right: right: A boy in a white sailor-style outfit sits high on the left fence post, raising a blue cap in his left hand. Next, a young child in a grey outfit balances on the middle rail, looking straight ahead. A small toddler peeks out between the wooden slats, holding the top rail. A girl in a purple dress stands by the fence with her arm around the boy next to her. Finally, a boy in a blue jacket sits on the right fence post, looking back at the boy on the left. Behind them is an open green field under a pale sky.

He could hear the soft pitter, patter of the rain.

Just think what a fine place in which to plan new games or stories for his cousins!

The children knew every nook on the farm.

They knew and loved every animal.

It had been a delightful summer.

Now it is time to go home.

The coach is at the door.

The children have said “Good-by” to all the people and animals on the farm.

Quickly they climb into the coach.

From it, they wave good-by to the farm.

Listen to what each says!

“Good-by to the house and the garden!” cries one.

Another calls, “Good-by to the fields and the lawn!”

“Dear old meadow gates, good-by!” shouts another.

“Good-by to the pump and the stable!”

“Good-by to our swing in the tree!”

I think it is Louis who calls, “Farewell, ladder by the hayloft door!

Fare you well, O hayloft where the cobwebs cling.”

Then all the children shout, “Good-by, good-by to everything!”

“Crack!” goes the whip.

Off they start.

Soon the farm is out of sight.

The children think of the good times they have had all summer.

And once more they say softly, “Good-by, good-by to everything!”

Often in the long winter, Louis remembered the good times at the farm.

How he longed to be there again!

He thought of the quiet times he had enjoyed in the hayloft.

Perhaps he told his nurse the stories he made up as he lay in the sweet hay.

We know he loved the dear old farm and never forgot his good times there.

When he became a man he wrote the little poem you have just read.

This shows us he remembered the old farm.