DURING the next few days, the weather continuing fine, May was a constant visitor at Rowley Cottage, coming and going as she pleased. She spent most of her time with her grandfather and Billy in the garden, but sometimes she would leave them and wander about the orchard with the live-stock there. She had no fear of any living creature, and even the big, grey gander, which hissed so fiercely, would eat from her hand.
"She's not like any other little girl I ever knew," Billy remarked to his grandfather one evening, as they sat on the settle by the kitchen fire, Scout asleep at their feet, discussing May, who had gone home shortly before tea.
"I expect not," William Brown answered, "she's different from most children, poor dear! She learns nothing at school, but—"
"She's only backward," his wife broke in sharply. She was seated near the table, sewing by the light of an oil lamp. "You needn't speak as though she's stupid," she added, in a tone full of resentment, "for she can learn some things quick enough."
"Just what I was going to say when you interrupted me," William Brown said mildly. "She can't remember if you try to teach her to read or add up figures, but tell her anything about an animal or a bird, or a flower, and she'll remember it. Oh, yes! If she's a bad memory for some things—"
"Oh, her memory will be all right by-and-by!" broke in Mrs. Brown again. "It'll strengthen as she grows older, you'll find!"
"I hope so, I'm sure," her husband muttered to himself. Aloud he said: "I suppose you've no objection to Billy's spending to-morrow with his cousins, Maria? Being Saturday, Harold will have a holiday. I saw Elizabeth when I went to the post office this afternoon, and she asked if Billy might come. Of course, I said 'yes.'"
"Then why ask me anything about it?" questioned Mrs. Brown tartly. "You said 'yes,' so that's enough. Billy and his cousins indeed!"
"Aunt Elizabeth said I was to look on May and Harold as cousins," explained Billy, adding in a disappointed tone, "If you don't want me to go, Granny, of course I won't."
"Oh, go!" said Mrs. Brown impatiently. "Why should I want to keep you here?"