CHAPTER XLIII.

IN THE FIELD.


Poor little Daisy, very faint and tired, and with a feeling of almost
despair in her little heart, presently crept through a gap in one of
the hedges, and sat down on the grass in a large field. She was so
foot-sore she could not walk another step; she was also terribly weak
from long fasting, and as she now had no hope at all of bringing
Primrose back her money, she felt disinclined to walk another step.

"I suppose I'll soon die," she said to herself. "I wonder if God will
take me to heaven? I know I was very selfish about the dungeon. I
might have gone to the dungeon, and dear Primrose would have had her
money, and she and Jasmine would not have starved; but Mr. Dove did so
terrify me I really had not courage. Please, dear Jesus, I had not
courage. I'm only a very weak, frightened little girl, and I gave Mr.
Dove Primrose's money, and now I can't get it back from him, and I
think my heart is broken. I know, Jesus, you are angry with me, but
please don't go on being angry; please forgive me, for I am all alone
now without Primrose and Jasmine, and I think I'll soon die, for I
feel so very weak. I didn't tell a lie, either, Jesus; I never told
any one about Mr. Dove and the sticky sweetmeats--no, though I am a
coward about the dungeon, I would not go so far as to break my word. I
often longed to tell the Prince, for I felt he would deliver me from
the ogre, but I couldn't tell a lie even to be saved. Please, Jesus,
forgive me for being such a cowardly little girl."

By this time the drizzling mist of the early morning had passed away,