"Ah, you have been accustomed to sleep on a mattress, and not a feather bed, I expect. Now, close your eyes like a dear child and try to sleep, or you will be tired to-morrow, and that will never do! Good-night, and may God bless you!"
Mrs. Adams pressed a kindly kiss on Marigold's forehead as she spoke, and went away, closing the door softly behind her. A few minutes later her little visitor was sleeping peacefully.
[CHAPTER XII]
MARIGOLD'S VISIT AT ROCOMBE FARM
SATURDAY morning was a busy time at Rocombe Farm, and Marigold was awakened early by pleasant sounds of life and bustle about the place. Jumping quickly out of bed, she ran to the window and peeped out from behind the blind upon the green lawn and the meadows beyond, fresh and glistening with dew.
Half an hour later she found her way downstairs and out into the yard, where the cows were being milked by a couple of the farm hands.
"Would you like a drink of milk, missy?" inquired one of the men.
Marigold thanked him, and said she would. She returned to the kitchen to fetch a cup, and enjoyed a good draught of the sweet, frothy beverage. Presently Mrs. Adams came down, and welcomed her young guest with a bright smile and an affectionate kiss.
What a happy day that was! Mother and son were eager that Marigold should enjoy herself and make the best of her short visit, which both declared must be repeated often.
She saw the butter made, fed the poultry, and investigated all the outbuildings, even to the pig-styes, in one of which she discovered a sow with eleven young ones; the sweetest, prettiest little creatures she had ever seen, only a few days old, black, and slippery as eels, as she found when she tried to catch one.