"How sweet they are!" she exclaimed. "Father, I do love flowers, don't you?"
"Yes, my dear, certainly I do. Some one once called them the 'poetry of the Creator'; was not that a beautiful thought?"
"Granfer does not care for flowers much," Una remarked; "that seems strange, does it not?"
"To you, no doubt; but there are a great many people who do not like flowers, just as others do not like poetry or music. By the same rule, there are those who cannot admire a fine view, but I am glad my little girl loves beauty and can appreciate the crowning works of God."
Una glanced up into her father's face, and, meeting his smile with one equally bright and loving, she cried:
"Oh, father dear, I am so happy to-day! I can't help thinking of Granfer, and of how glad he will be when his son comes home! I hope he will come very soon!"
Mr. Manners was silent, but he kissed his little daughter's upturned face tenderly; and then they went indoors to see if breakfast was ready, and Una busied herself in arranging her flowers in the little glasses that always ornamented the table at meal times.
The morning passed uneventfully. Una learnt her lessons as usual, and in the afternoon went for a long walk with Nanny, returning by way of Lowercoombe Farm, where they found only Mrs. Maple at home, Granfer having gone to the village, and the little girls not having as yet returned from school.
Mrs. Maple and Nanny enjoyed a long chat together, during which Una was allowed to wander where she pleased. She inspected the fowl-houses and cowsheds and stables, finally venturing to climb a few rungs of the ladder which led to the hay loft. But she was unaccustomed to climbing, and grew dizzy when she looked down and realised she was some feet from the ground. She commenced to retrace her way, feeling rather nervous and shaky, when suddenly she made a false step, missed her footing, and fell upon the hard stone floor of the stable, with one foot doubled back under her.
At first she was too faint to utter a sound, but presently when she tried to move, and a sharp twinge of pain in her foot told her she had injured it, she called aloud for assistance. Mrs. Maple and Nanny came running to her immediately, the latter in a terrible fright when she caught sight of the little girl's pale face.