"I'd better send them round," the woman suggested.
Hecla would not hear of such an arrangement. She could not bear to part with her treasures. "Please tie them up, and please do put a lot of paper and string," she begged. "Because I'm going to do them up all separately, and I haven't got any paper or string."
"There's plenty at home, Miss Hecla," said Elisabeth.
But the woman insisted on tying them all up herself, just as Hecla wished; and she seemed quite to enjoy the work. She put up each toy separately in soft brown paper, and fastened each with pretty red and white string; and then she enclosed all the small packets in one large sheet of stout brown paper.
"You'd best let me carry it, Miss Hecla," said Elisabeth. "If you tumble down, you'll break something or other."
This was so likely an event that Hecla consented, and they started anew.
"It's near half-past twelve," Elisabeth said.
"Mayn't we go round behind the house? There's lots of moss on the bank," begged Hecla.
As there was just time, Elisabeth consented. Quantities of soft dry moss could be found there; and Hecla carried home an armful.
Then came dinner; her last solitary meal. Elisabeth remained as usual in the room, helping her, and looking after her wants.