“Yes, and I won't soil them again, auntie.”
“Until the next time, I fear,” said the kind housekeeper, who was, perhaps, too forgiving with the strange, wild child.
The next day Dawn was filled with delight at her father's return. He came early in the morning, and found his pet awake and watching for his approach.
“O, papa, such a dream, a real dream, as I had last night. Sit right here by the window, please, while I tell it to you.”
“Perhaps your dream will be so real that we shall not want anything more substantial for breakfast.”
“O, it's better than food, papa.”
“Well, go on, my pet.”
“I was thinking how glad I should be to see my papa, when I went to sleep and had this beautiful dream:—
“I was walking in a garden all full of flowers and vines, when I saw my mother coming towards me, with something upon her arm. She came close, and then I saw it was a robe, O, such a white robe, whiter than snow. She put it on me, and it was too long. I asked if it was for me why it was so long. 'You will grow,' she said, 'tall and beautiful, and need the long garment.' Then she led the way, and motioned me to follow. She led me down a dismal lane, and into a damp, dreadful place, where the streets were all mud and dirt. 'O, my dress,' I said, 'my pure white robe.' 'No dust and dirt can stain it,' she replied, 'walk through that dark street and see.' I went, and looked back at each step, but my pure white robe was not soiled, and when I returned to her, it was as spotless as ever. Was it not a lovely dream, and what does it mean, papa?”
“A lesson too deep for your childhood to comprehend, and yet I will some day tell you. But here comes Miss Vernon, and the bell has rung for breakfast.”