'Now?' repeated Johannes, looking at her with wide, bewildered eyes. 'Now? I can never go again now. I should be drowned. But I do not care. I had rather stay here, by the lilac-bush, with you.'
Robinetta shook her yellow head, much puzzled, and stroked Johannes's hair. Then she looked at her bird, which seemed to be finding all sorts of delicious morsels by the edge of the pond. It glanced up at that moment, and watched the pair for a moment with its bright little eyes.
'Do you understand anything of all this, Dicky-bird?'
The Robin looked very knowing and went on hunting and pecking.
'Tell me something more, Johannes, of the things you have seen.'
This Johannes was very glad to do, and Robinetta listened with attentive belief in all he said.
'But where did this all happen? Why cannot you go now with me? Everywhere—all about? I should like it so much.'
Johannes did his best to remember, but a sunlit mist covered the dim landscape where he had once wandered. He could not quite make out how it was that his former happiness had deserted him.
'I do not know exactly—you must not ask about that. A foolish little being spoiled it all. But it is all right now—better even than before.'
The scent of the lilac poured down on them from the bushes, and the humming of the insects on the pool, and the peaceful sunshine filled them with pleasant drowsiness, till a bell rang at the great house with a swinging clang, and Robinetta flew off.