"It is a low fever, my darling, and we must do something to cheer the child and make her hopeful. I am going now to write to your papa, to see if he can get permission for Kathie's father to return. Meanwhile we will get their cottage in order, cleaned, and made comfortable with all that they need, and then we will take the little wild bird back to its nest. These woodland creatures cannot live away from their haunts. Do you understand, my Laura?"
"Yes, mamma; but I am so sorry."
"So am I, dear child."
So it was decided. The letter was written, and a favorable answer came. Day after day went by, and yet Kathie could only take a little soup and a little wine, and Laura was allowed to go beneath her window and talk to her a while. And Lady Idleways was very busy, driving out to the forest every day with a donkey-cart laden with many useful goods, going and returning with work-people, and coming home to bid Laura hope that Kathie would soon be very well and happy again.
CHAPTER XII.
"SHE WAS NOW ALLOWED TO SIT BESIDE KATHIE AND READ A LITTLE TO HER"
At last Kathie was pronounced able to leave her room. The summer had ripened into autumn, and the leaves, which had turned crisp and brown, had fallen, making the branches bare. The air was sharp and frosty. Great logs burned in the fireplaces, delighting Laura with their cheerful blaze, and keeping her busy in the twilight finding pictures in the flames. She was now allowed to sit beside Kathie and read a little to her, a few verses, a hymn, or a Bible story. And to Laura was given the pleasant task of telling Kathie she was soon to see her father. It happened this way. Kathie had been carried out for fresh air in Nannette's arms, and was resting on cushions; it was the middle of the day, and the sunlight streamed through the broad windows. Laura was roasting chestnuts, and as she drew them from the ashes she said,
"Kathie, if I were a fairy and you had a wish, what should I turn this nut into for you?—a pot of gold?"