"Mr. Plunkett was walking along the Path on the Other Side of the Hedge."
"How nice it is that you are so strong, Fardie," she said caressingly, as they passed close by Murtagh.
"Are you comfortable, dear?" asked Mr. Plunkett.
"Yes, very," she replied, with a little sigh of pleasure.
They took one turn in silence down the path and back again. Then little Marion spoke again, but this time there was a troubled sound in her voice.
"Don't be late to-night, father, will you?"
"Not very, my pet," replied Mr. Plunkett; "but you must be sound asleep long before I come."
"I'll shut up my eyes and try, Fardie, but I can't go to sleep when you're out because—" And here the little voice trembled and stopped short.
"Because what, dear?" said Mr. Plunkett, bending his head a little so that his cheek touched her forehead.