"Listen!" exclaimed Frances.
"I am going to give you your presents now," said Bridget. "Come here, each of you in turn."
The children pressed eagerly to the front, and Biddy put a small gift into each of their hands.
"Now come for a walk with me," she said. "I shall tell you a fairy story—a very short one; it pleased the barefooted children at home, and I dare say it will please you. After that you must go to bed."
It was really late now. The sun had set, but there was an after-glow all over the sky, and the moon was showing her calm, full, round face above the horizon.
Alice linked her hand inside Biddy's arm, the other children surrounded her, and Violet felt herself pressed up to her other side.
On another occasion Violet would have taken Biddy's arm, and held it tight. She did not do so to-night; she walked quietly by her side, holding a lovely jointed doll in her arms.
Bridget told a wonderful fairy tale, but Violet's eyes were fixed on her doll, and her thoughts were far away.
The other children cheered and applauded, and questioned and criticised, but Violet was absolutely silent.
At last the gong in the great house sounded. This was the signal for all the little ones to go to bed. They each of them pressed up to kiss Bridget, and thank her for the lovely treat she had given them. Each one after she had kissed her friend ran into the house.