the sun had come out, and the robins and thrushes in the hedge close
to Daisy began to sing. They poured out full notes of thrilling
sweetness and their music comforted the child, and she began to smile
very faintly to herself, and to hope that as God had let the sun come
out, and the birds sing, so He had forgiven her.

The poor little Pink began to mew loudly in her basket, and Daisy let
her out of her prison, and when kitty rubbed her soft head against her
little mistress's sleeve the child felt some fresh thrills of comfort.
She felt terribly disinclined to move, however, and was really more
weak and exhausted than absolutely hungry. The day wore on, and the
little girl and her cat remained unnoticed in their corner of the
large field. There was a right of way through the field, and
foot-passengers came and went, but Daisy in her sombre little black
dress failed to attract any attention. She was quite in the shade
under her hedge-row, and it is to be doubted if any one saw her. At
last from utter weariness she sank down on the ground and fell asleep.
The Pink curled herself up by her little mistress's side and slept
also. It was then that the sun, slowly travelling across the heavens,
found them out in their shady corner, and kissed them, and made
pussy's soft little grey coat shine. The child and the cat were thus
made visible, and attracted the attention of a woman who was walking
across the field with a market-basket on her arm. She came up at once
to examine the little group; then she bent down close, then she gave
an exclamation half of horror, half of delight, and then she took the
sleeping child up in her arms, and covered her with passionate kisses.

[Illustration: SHE CAME UP TO EXAMINE THE LITTLE GROUP. Palace B]

"Oh! my own little Miss Daisy--my own little darling precious lamb!