Sally again looked around, as she said, "My Fairy Prince," as if afraid to have even the winds hear her.
"I care not," she said, "I will call him my Fairy Prince. No one can hear, and it doth surely help me in a way. It is unseemly, I dare say, but I must, I must, and will! But, however am I to get learning? Could I only go to a dame school, but, chicks and crows! as well might I seek to fly to the moon."
She giggled in a healthy, childish way, sure sign that she was feeling better, and that her sweet nature was coming up to her help.
All at once she drew herself up, held high her head, breathed hard a few times, then said, slowly:
"I am a maid that is determined to get learning,—and I will!"
At that she lay down again, and slept until the sun was high. Then up she jumped, crept into the kitchen, and began setting the table while Mistress Brace was down at the spring getting fresh water.
All the hot morning Sally was busy at her scrubbing and cleaning, and it must be told that not as happy or as sure did she feel as in the morning, because the hot sun and the wood fire had taken down her spirits.
And so, as she rested for a little in the afternoon, on the steps she had scrubbed in the morning, it in truth much cheered her to see Mammy Leezer come trundling along, and to know she would hear the dulcet voice. Her face lighted up, but not before Mammy had seen the sober, longing look she had worn a moment before.
"IT IN TRUTH MUCH CHEERED HER TO SEE MAMMY LEEZER COME TRUNDLING ALONG."