"No, darlin',
I didn't. I was on the beach with Meg. No, no--
Oh, let me cry, darlin'. To think I've got you at
last. I wouldn't have gone away, darlin', but they
told me you wouldn't be here till dinner-time. Oh,
darlin', is it you? And it's all true, isn't it? and
ye've come back to me for good? Hug me close. Oh,
my baby bairn, my little one! Oh, you precious!"
and she nestled the girl's head on her bosom, smoothing
her cheek as she crooned on, the tears running
down her cheeks.
Before the girl could reply there came a voice
calling from the house: "Isn't she fine, Martha?"
A woman above the middle height, young and of
slender figure, dressed in a simple gray gown and
without her hat, was stepping from the front porch
to meet them.
"Too fine, Miss Jane, for her old Martha," the
nurse called back. "I've got to love her all over
again. Oh, but I'm that happy I could burst meself
with joy! Give me hold of your hand, darlin'--
I'm afraid I'll lose ye ag'in if ye get out of reach
of me."
The two strolled slowly up the path to meet Jane,
Martha patting the girl's arm and laying her cheek
against it as she walked. Meg had ceased barking
and was now sniffing at Lucy's skirts, his bent tail
wagging slowly, his sneaky eyes looking up into
Lucy's face.
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