Una flitted away, and found Nanny in the kitchen.
"Off to the farm again!" the good woman cried. "Why, you almost live there! That old man seems to be wonderfully attractive to you, Miss Una. I can't think what you see in him to like so much, for my part; he seems rather cross-grained, I fancy!"
"You think that because you don't know him as well as I do," the little girl responded promptly. "His manner is rather stern perhaps, but it is only his manner, and you know, Nanny, you always say that one should never judge by appearances. I think he is really a very good old man!"
"You told me yourself that he drove his only son away from home, Miss Una, and folks in the village say he has never forgiven him!"
"Oh, they are wrong, indeed they are! He has forgiven him! You don't understand Granfer a bit!"
"And I suppose you do," Nanny said, laughing. "Well, run along to the farm then, and give the old man your present. I'm sure he ought to be pleased!"
Una felt sure he would be. With Crack at her heels, she went out into the bright May sunshine, and passed through the garden gate into the road. The hedges were full of wild flowers, and the air was sweet with their delicate scents, the perfumes of hawthorn and wild hyacinths. But Una did not pause to gather herself a nosegay to-day, though her soft brown eyes dwelt admiringly on the wealth of flowers, for the artist's little daughter possessed a beauty-loving soul, and her quick glance took in all the glory of the May morning.
Presently she heard a deep bark, and in another moment, Mr. Maple's sheep-dog bounded towards her in a transport of joy at the meeting. She put her arms around his woolly neck, and gave him a loving hug.
"Oh, you dear old Rags!" she cried. "Good fellow! Good doggie!"
Rags approved of these terms of endearment; his brown eyes were brimful of affection as he stood by Una's side, his big body wriggling with excitement and pleasure. Crack jumped about barking and whining, for though he was on friendly terms with Rags, he did not wish Una to make too much of him. So the little girl patted Crack too, that he might not be jealous, and with a dog on either side of her went on her way. At the turn of the road she met Mr. Norris, who was looking about for Rags.