AN UNEXPECTED DEPARTURE
Dorothy looked after the fleeing little figure as it disappeared behind a clump of shrubbery in the direction of the laundry.
“A child of one of the workmen, I suppose, but such an odd, quaint looking child,” she thought, and rejoined her mates. They were still standing beside the cloistered walk, talking, planning the wonderful trips which would be open to them now that they owned horses; comparing notes upon the points of each that they fancied they had already learned, while Mr. Ford declared:
“This really is the most wonderful affair! Not that you have the horses, but that you show no jealousy about them. So far as I can see each of you is perfectly satisfied with his own choice and sure it was the wisest. I only hope our good James Barlow will like his Azul as well. Heigho, Dolly Doodles! What a quaint little basket! An Indian one and fine. Where did you get that?”
“A little boy gave it to me. I suppose it is for Lady Gray, and here she comes.”
The lady had walked across from the Barracks, slowly, sauntering over the beautiful grounds, so fully in accord with them and the glorious day that she was humming an aria from pure lightness of heart. She had not forgotten the missing lad for whom she had chosen the best horse in the herd, but it did not seem now that anything could be really amiss. He would surely soon be back, safe and well, and oh! how good life was! How dear the world, and how gracious that tender Providence which had crowned her life with joy! In this mood she came up to the group awaiting her and Dorothy put the basket into her hands.
She hadn’t expected anything of weight and nearly dropped it.
“Why, dearie, what an exquisite basket! But how heavy it is! What—here—why? See how oddly it’s fastened with rushes or something like them. I’ll sit right here while one of you open it.”
She seated herself upon a carved bench beside a sun-dial and Leslie cut the rushes which were bound tightly about the basket. As he did so a plaintive little wail issued from it, and Lady Gray and he both jumped.
“A baby! A foundling!” laughed Mr. Ford, pretending to be greatly frightened.