It may well be supposed that May-flower had no objection to make; so Robin Redbreast flew before, and she ran after him.
On they went; across the heath, through the copses, and over the fields of rye, till at last they came to the open downs over against the Seven Isles. There Robin stopped, and said to the little girl,
“Seest thou aught on the sands down there?”
“I see,” replied May-flower, “a great pair of beechen shoes that the fire has never scorched, and a holly-staff that has not been hacked by the sickle.”
“Put on the shoes, and take up the staff.”
It was done.
“Now walk upon the sea to the first island, and go round it till thou shalt come to a rock on which grow sea-green rushes.”
“What then?”
“Gather some of the rushes, and twist them into a cord.”
“Well, and then?”