But they were angry with me for looking so miserable, and found more and
more fault with me. They were always quarrelling; long after we went to bed
they were shouting at each other. Oh, I got so tired of it! I did wish I
had never left home. And then we came to Lesborough, and at last I could
bear it no longer. I kept dreaming about my mother, and when I woke in the
night I thought I heard my mother's voice. At last I determined to run
away. I knew they would be very angry; but no money could make me put up
with that sort of life; I was thoroughly sick of it. I felt ill and weary,
and longed for my mother. And now I'm going home. I ran away the night they
left Lesborough. I got out of the caravan when they were all asleep. I've
been walking ever since; I brought a little food with me, but it's all gone
now, and how I shall get home I don't know.'

'Poor Jessie!' said little Rosalie.

'I don't know what my mother will say when I get there. I know she won't
scold mo; I shouldn't mind that half so much, but I can't bear to see my
mother cry.'

'She will be glad to get you back,' said Rosalie. 'I don't know what my
mammie would do if I ran away.'

'Oh dear!' said Jessie; 'I hope nothing came to those children; I do hope
they got no harm when I was out! I've thought about that so often.'

Then the poor girl seemed very tired, and, leaning against the wall she
fell asleep, whilst Rosalie rested once more against her mother's pillow.
And again there was no sound to be heard but the wind sweeping among the
dark fir-trees. Rosalie was glad to have Jessie there; it did not seem
quite so solitary.