The maiden turned away and made no answer.
"Land sakes alive! you 'ain't got no business goin' around these woods an' meetin' strange men."
"Oh, silly bird!" croaked the little crow from a bough near them.
"Mercy!" exclaimed Sinth, as she looked up at the ribboned crow. "It's enough to make the birds talk."
There were tears in the maiden's eyes, and the children glanced from her to their aunt, sadly and reprovingly.
Sinth, now full of tender feeling, put her arms around the neck of the girl in a motherly fashion. "Poor, poor child!" said she, her voice trembling. "I've laid awake nights thinkin' of you."
Something in the tone and touch of the woman brought the girl closer. Another great need of her nature was for a moment satisfied. She leaned her head upon the shoulder of Sinth, and her heart confessed its loneliness in tears and broken phrases.
"I—I followed you. I couldn't—couldn't help it," said she.
"Poor girl!" Sinth went on, as she patted the head of the maiden. "I've scolded Mr. Master. He oughter let you alone, 'less he's in love, which I wouldn't wonder if he was."
"Ah-h-h!" croaked the bird, as if to attract his mistress.