She did not undress before she had taken the ring-marked purse out of the chest once more, and told her wee friend of all that had happened and what she had gone through.
‘I don’t believe I should ever have got up that great cliff but for those dinky Shoes,’ she added when she had told all; ‘nor over Pentire Glaze.’
‘I am certain you wouldn’t,’ said the wee voice. ‘The Spriggans were all about the cliffs and headland, but they were powerless to hinder your going with those Shoes on your feet. You won’t be afraid to take me over the bog now, will you, dear little maid?’
‘No, that I shan’t,’ said Gerna; ‘an’ I’m a-going to do it to-night. But I must have a bit of sleep first. I hope I shall wake in time, an’ that Great-Grannie won’t miss me till I get back.’
‘She won’t miss you,’ assured the little voice. ‘The excitement she has suffered lately has exhausted her, and she will sleep until you are back in your own little bed again. Take me into bed with you, and put me close under your chin, and when the time is up for us to start I will tickle until I wake you.’
The child was soon in a deep slumber, and it seemed to her she had only just fallen asleep when she felt something tickling her neck.
‘Dress quickly!’ cried the little voice close to her ear. ‘But before you do, let me impress on you once more that I can never repay you for your kindness, and that all you do for me you must do out of the purest pity and love, and for nothing else. So if you have any hankering after the Little People’s gold, your journey is sure to end in failure. For the Spriggans, in spite of the Shoes and the Lantern Farmer Vivian gave you, will prevent your reaching the Tolmên, and will make you give me back into their hands, and thrust upon you the golden pieces they have so often offered you, but which will only bring you trouble.’
‘I don’t want anything for taking you to the place where you are to be set free,’ said Gerna simply. ‘I am doing it ‘cause I love you, an’ ‘cause I am terribly sorry for you and your little True Love, an’ I don’t want that wicked Hager to make you marry him.’
‘Then let us make haste and go,’ said the little voice, trembling with gladness. ‘Put the Shoes on your feet before you leave the chamber, and the Lantern and me into the bosom of your frock.’
There was no moon, and Gerna had to dress in the dark. It was soon done, and, with the moss-green Shoes on her feet, the ring-printed bag and the wee Lantern close to her heart, she went down the stairs and out into the night.