"Oh! I see, dear. And who sent you?"
"Nobody," answered Annie. "My father wouldn't come to you; and I have come from Juniper Green myself without telling my father or mother."
"Oh yes, dear! I understand you."
"But you must do it quick," continued she, "because the doctor says she's in great danger; so you must come with me and save her immediately."
"I am sorry, my dear little lady," rejoined he, "that I cannot go with you; but I will set about it immediately, and I have no doubt, being able to go faster than you, that I will get there before you, so that all will be right before you arrive."
"See that you do it, then," said she; "because I can't live if Mary dies. Are you quite sure you will do it?"
"Perfectly sure, my little dear," added he. "Go away home, and all will be right; the pelican will do his duty."
And Annie being thus satisfied, went away, dragging the main-sheet after her, and having upon her face a look of contentment, if not absolute happiness, in place of the sorrow which had occupied it during all the time of her toilsome journey. The same road is to be retraced; and if she had an object before which nerved her little limbs, she had now the delightful consciousness of that object having been effected—a feeling of inspiration which enabled her, hungry as she was, to overcome all the toil of the return. Another two hours, with that heavy umbrella over head as well as body, brought her at length home, where she found that people had been sent out in various directions to find the missing Annie. The mother was in tears, and the father in great anxiety; and no sooner had she entered and laid down her burden, than she was clasped to the bosom, first of one parent, and then of the other.
"But where is the pelican?" said the anxious little maid.
"The pelican, my darling!" cried the mother; "what do you mean?"