church--real church down in Bristol. And poor father was
churchmartin, and knew all the parson's secrets."

"Hush, Rusha," said Patience, not much liking this disclosure,
however Jerusha might have come by the knowledge, "you and Emlyn
don't want to quarrel when she is just going to say good-bye!"

This touched the little girls. Rusha had been much enlivened by the
little fairy who had seen so much of the world, and had much more
playfulness than the hard-worked little woodland maid; and Emlyn, who
in spite of her airs, knew that she had been kindly treated, was
drawn towards a companion of her own age, was very fond of little
Ben, and still more so of Steadfast.

Ben cried, "Em not go;" and Rusha held her hand and begged her not to
forget.

"O no, I won't forget you," said Emlyn, "and when we come back with
the King and Prince, and drive the Roundhead ragamuffins out of
Bristol, then I'll bring Stead a protection for Croppie and Daisy and
all, a silver bodkin for you, and a Flanders lace collar for
Patience, and a gold chain for Stead, and --But oh! wasn't that a
trumpet? Stead! Stead! We must go, or we shall miss them." Then
as she hugged and kissed them, "I'll tell Sir Harry and my lady how
good you have been to me, and get my lady to make you a tirewoman,
Rusha. And dear, dear little Ben shall be a king's guard all in
gold."

Ben had her last smothering kiss, and Rusha began to cry and sob as
the gay little figure, capering by Stead's side, disappeared between