"Oh, but Mam'selle Morey, one does not adopt a child as one does a stray cat. Another day, Mam'selle, and we will consider gladly, but to-day——"
"What of to-day, Sister?"
"Well, one of our little flock has strayed, a child sadly lacking but dearly loved; we must find her."
"She has been gone long?" Jo was moving to the cart with her basket and bottles.
"She has just been missed. We will soon find her."
Jo's hand, searching the straw, was patting the cold one that trembled beneath her touch. "May I give you a lift along the road?" she asked grimly, the humour of the thing striking her while she reassured the hidden girl by a whispered word.
"Thanks, no, Mam'selle. We will not keep to the roads. The lost one loved the woods. She'd seek them."
Jo waited until the Sisters had departed, her hand never having left the trembling one beneath hers.
"You are going to—to take me with you?" The words came muffled, from the straw.
"Yes."