So she went to the keeping-room, and, standing before the mirror hanging on the wall, she pinned midst her mat of ruddy-gold curls clumps of white strawberry blossoms, starry dogwood blooms, and a white rose or two.
Some time before this, Mistress Brace had seen in a peddler's pack a decent piece of white lawn, and as it was the cheapest thing he had that would make a comely gown for Sunday wear, she bought it for Sally.
The maiden sung now in the choir of a Sunday, and, because of the parson's keen eye, she must be seemingly dressed. But the gown was soiled and must soon be done up. So in a spirit of sport Sally put it on, and at breast and waist she pinned great posies of buttercups, daffy-down-dillies, and sprays of fresh green leaves. Then she started for the pine woods and the oak-tree.
The sweetness, sunshine, and melody all about so charmed her for a time that the book for once lay idly in her lap.
"Life is beautiful," she murmured.
"Yes, life is beautiful!" echoed her Fairy; "it is but right that the young should enjoy it."
"I feel so glad to-day," said Maid Sally, "I would I might always feel this way."
"You are learning," said the Fairy, "and life is getting fuller for you every day."
"Yes, life is getting fuller every day," said Maid Sally.
At last she took up her book. The sun was growing very hot, but there was a cool breeze, and the maiden in the tree was reading steadily when again there came the sound of flying hoofs. They came all too swiftly. A very demon of a horse was tearing along the road, his mane flying, his tail out straight, and his body almost to the ground. The rider could not be made out in the mad rush and whirl of the frightened animal.