The little girl heaved a gentle sigh and rose from her knees. For a minute her face wore a slightly clouded expression, then it smiled and became contented again.
"Never mind," she said, "never mind! Mr. Singleton says God'll remember them—He never forgets."
They returned to the garden, where William Brown had stirred up the bonfire which had smouldered through the night. May clapped her hands with delight when she saw the flames, and she and Billy set to work collecting more rubbish to keep the bonfire burning.
At one o'clock Mrs. Brown came and called them in to dinner. She was evidently pleased to see May. Billy noticed that her face softened as she kissed the little girl and inquired if her mother knew where she was.
"Oh, yes!" the child answered, adding: "I can stay till Harold fetches me, Granny."
Harold did not arrive at Rowley Cottage till half-past four o'clock. He had been told he must not stop to tea, he said, as it got dark so early now, so May must please come at once. May told him of Billy's gardening tools, and he lingered to have a look at them. The sight of them evidently made him a little envious, for he did not express the admiration Billy had expected he would.
"Oh, they'll do," he said, "but they've had a good bit of wear."
"Grandfer says they're none the worse for that," replied Billy. "See how sharp the spade is! That's from use, Grandfer says. I think they're beautiful tools."
"What made Master Tom give them to you?" asked Harold.
"Oh, he thought they would be just the right weight for me," explained Billy, "and so they are."