a quantity of dark locks streamed as to give something the effect of
a goldfinch's crown, and the face was a brilliant little brown one,
with glowing cheeks, pretty little white teeth, and splendid dark
eyes.

Patience could have told that this bright array was so soiled,
rumpled, ragged, and begrimed, that she hardly liked to touch it, but
to Steadfast, who had only seen the child in the moonlight, she was a
wonderful vision in the morning sunshine, and his heart was struck
with a great pity at her clear, merry tones of laughter.

As he appeared in the open space, Toby running before him, the little
girl looked up and rushed to him crying out--

"It's you. Be you the country fellow who took me home? Where's
father?"

Stead was so sorry for her that he took her up in his arms and said--

"Hodge Fitter is gone into town to look for him, my pretty. You must
wait here till he comes for you," and he would have kissed her, but
she turned her head away, pouted, and said, "I didn't give you leave
to do that, you lubber lad."

Steadfast was much diverted. He was now a tall sturdy youth of
sixteen, in a short smock frock, long leathern gaiters, and a round
straw hat of Patience's manufacture, and he felt too clumsy for the
dainty little being, whom he hastened to set on her small feet--in
once smart but very dilapidated shoes. His sisters were somewhat
shocked at her impertinence and Rusha breathed out "Oh--!"