But he fainted twice before he got to the gate, so there was nothing for it but to crawl back again, and--have the knees of his trousers mended." "Dear boy!" said Hilda, patting the curly head affectionately.

"Good, faithful boy! I shall think a great deal more of it, Bubble, than if you had been able to walk all the way.

And, after all," she added, "I am glad I had to do it myself,--go down to the mill, I mean.

It is something to remember! I would not have missed it." "No more wouldn't I!" cried Bubble, enthusiastically.

"I'd ha' done it for ye twenty times, ye know that, Miss Hildy; but I druther ha' hed you do it;" and Hildegarde understood him perfectly.
The simple meal prepared and set out, Hilda bade farewell to her two friends, and flitted back to the farm.