But she could not see anything of the parsnip which Peter had let fall. Possibly it had rolled behind the stove.
"I shall be sure to find it in the morning, when I light the fire," she thought.
She put out the lamp, and stepped softly into the chamber where the rushlight burned dimly. Then with one passing glance at the sleeping boy, she undressed herself and prepared for bed.
In a few moments more all her cares and troubles had vanished in slumber.
THE LITTLE MAN IN THE YELLOW COAT—A MOUSE-RIDE AT MIDNIGHT—THE HOLE IN THE WALL—AMONG THE PARSNIP-MEN—QUEEN MARY—THE BLUE DRESS—A CAKE-FEAST—ONE!
Little Peter had been asleep for a long time, when all at once he found himself suddenly twitched by the arm. He rolled over, rubbed his eyes, and then, to his amazement, saw the little Parsnip-man sitting by him on the quilt.
He did not look a bit like a parsnip now. He had on a long yellow coat, and a little green hat on his head; and he nodded in quite a friendly way to Peter.
"Come along! Be quick!" he said. "We must be off. But wrap up well, for it's cold outside."