Laddie said it might have been hurt, and mother was worried too.

Before she had them an hour, she had sold all our ganders; spring had come, she had saved the blue goose eggs, set them under a hen, raised the goslings with the little chickens, never lost one, picked them and made a new pair of pillows too fine for any one less important than a bishop, or a judge, or Dr.Fenner to sleep on.

Then she began saving for a featherbed.

And still the goose didn't act as spry or feel as good as the gander.

He stuck up his head, screamed, spread his wings and waved them, and the butts looked so big and hard, I was not right certain whether it would be safe to tease him or not.
The first person who came to see them was Sarah Hood, and she left with the promise of a pair as soon as mother could raise them.