Transcriber’s Note:
The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
MARIE AHNIGHITO PEARY
CHILDREN OF THE ARCTIC
I
If any one had invitedAH-NI-GHI´-TO to goback to the Snowland theday after her return to herGrossmamma’s house, shewould not have listened amoment; for there was somuch to tell, and do, andsee, and learn that in heropinion she could not possiblyspare time for anothervisit to the far-away land.
Yet, the next summer, when her father wentoff again in the great black ship, to the landwhere all AH-NI-GHI´-TO’S queer fur-cladfriends lived, there was a big lump in her throat,and something that looked very much like tearsin her eyes, when she found that she and motherwere going to remain at home this time.
10But she was nearly five years old now, andfather said she must soon go to school andlearn a great deal by the time he returned;and if she would be a very good girl, and dojust what mother said, he would tell Santa Clausto bring her a sister.
AH-NI-GHI´-TO was much pleased. Shewanted a playmate very much and promised todo all she was told; and father sailed away.
All through that summer AH-NI-GHI´-TOroamed about on a farm, where everything wasnew to her. She had bunnies to pet; chickensto feed; nests to hunt; cows to be driven topasture in the morning and brought back in theevening; butter to be churned; flowers to begathered and arranged; and really so manythings to be done of which she had nevereven heard, that the days were hardly longenough.
The summer came to an end quickly andAH-NI-GHI´-TO returned to her “Grossy’s”home and to her kindergarten, of which shewas very fond.
11Then Christmas came bringing many prettytoys for her, and soon afterward, coming homefrom the kindergarten one day, AH-NI-GHI´-TOfound the dearest little sister waiting for her.At