elbow and noticed the bird picking at the arbutus-berries.

Then she went to the brook and took a little clear water in her hollow
hand, and observed that there was plenty of watercress.

Then she remembered what she had never taken the trouble to think of
before, some words of the _curé_, Niclausse about the birds of the air
that God provided for, and the lilies of the field that were more
beautiful than the glory of Solomon, and she remembered the lesson about
not being anxious for food and clothing, and thought that that would just
suit her, for she did not think of any of the teaching of the same great
Teacher about industry, and frugality, and living honestly, and so she
came to the satisfying conclusion that the true heathens were Catherine
and all her people, who were so foolish and wicked as to plough, and sow,
and reap, while she was the good Christian, because she was as idle as
the day was long.

She was still dwelling on these satisfactory deductions when there was a
sudden rustling among the dead leaves and a noise of footsteps.

She was going to run away when a gipsy lad of eighteen or twenty appeared
before her--a tall, lithe, dark fellow with thick woolly hair, shining
black eyes, and thick parted lips.

His eyes glittered as he cried--

"Almâni!"

"Almâni!" replied Myrtle, moved with much interest.