"I am not ungrateful, dear Laura."
"No, I know you are not, Kathie; you only miss little Fritz; but I am going to find your father for you, and then, if you want to, you shall go back to your own home, and my mamma and I will give you a great many nice things, and we will make it pleasant and comfortable for you."
Kathie's face brightened at these kind words.
"And what can I do for you?" she asked.
"Oh, you shall teach me to spin and knit and plait, and do all sorts of things."
And then they went on again, still followed by the little cub, around whose neck Laura had hung a wreath of wild flowers, from which he munched occasionally, and which she had as frequently to renew.
They had no more strange adventures, for the staff guided them safely on their way, and as the sun lowered, and the afternoon became cool, and the birds were less noisy, Laura suddenly espied the gray figure and scarlet cap of Grim, waiting on the edge of the wood to welcome the little wayfarers. When he saw them, he tossed his cap high in the air as a signal to the Motherkin, whose pleasant face quickly appeared, and in a few moments Laura was in her embrace. Then followed the welcome to Kathie, and even the cub came in for his share of attention; but as they neared the cottage, to Laura's greater astonishment, her own dear mamma came out and took her in her arms.
"My child! my own dear Laura!" exclaimed her mother, tenderly, "how altered you are! how you have grown! and what a fine healthy brown is upon your cheeks! and, best of all, my dear friend tells me of the loving pilgrimage you have just finished, and what a good girl my Laura has become." And the mother kissed and clasped Laura, while tears of joy fell from her eyes.
Never had there been so charming a feast seen as the Motherkin had prepared for the little pilgrims. All about the cottage in the trees were hung colored lanterns, which, as the evening grew darker, gave out brilliant sparkles of light; on the little lawn was a table laden with fruits and creams and cakes, and the white cloth was festooned with pink roses; rustic seats, dressed with flowers and canopied with boughs, were arranged on a carpet of richly woven colors; vases and jars of sweet-scented flowers adorned the tables, where glittered silver pitchers and crystal cups.
Lovely white dresses of thinnest muslin and coronets of white blossoms had been prepared for the children, who, having bathed and refreshed themselves, were led by Grim to their seats beside Lady Idleways and the Motherkin, who listened with attention to Laura's account of her journey.