above my place
on the ground. You are in the sun at the top of the garden wall. I am
under the hedge in the shadow, out of sight. Thou art the eagle, Fairy
Prince, and I the brush bird. You live at Ingleside, I at Slipside Row.
You have a proud, fine name. I am only poor Sally Dukeen. What can I do?
What can I do?"

She shook all over with the sobs that came hard and fast.

Ah, but it was _because_ Sally was more of a little maid and woman than
she knew, that she cried and shook with sobs under the pine-trees. She
had not noticed nor known that the brown fingers in her lap were pointed
at the ends, and had deep, round nails. She did not know that the bare
brown feet had high, arched insteps that meant good blood somewhere not
far back in her poor little history. She did not know that the lank form
under her shabby dress had graceful lines and supple curves that would
fill out some day and stand for something better than Slipside Row knew
of.

She did not know that it was _because_ a new Sally was becoming ashamed
of the old one that she was crying so bitterly.

After a time the little maid lay so still that she did not hear Mistress
Cory Ann calling her to come into the house. But as there was no reply,
and it was getting late, Mistress Brace thought that Sally had gone to
bed already, and so she troubled her head no more about her. She bolted
the loose front door, put out the dim candles, and was soon asleep.

And Sally was sound asleep, too. Flat on her face, lying on the soft,
dry moss, she slept as sweetly under the quiet stars as though she had
been on her small husk mattress. The gentle winds stirred the red gold
of her curly hair, and cooled her heated cheeks. She might have slept on
until morning had it not been that an owl, perched high in one of the
pine-trees, hooted in loud, solemn tones, "Too-whit? too-hoo! Too-whit?
Too-hoo!"

Then Sally opened her eyes, raised her head, and looked around. She
remembered where she was, but was not the least afraid. Many a time, in
midsummer's heat, had she thrown an old shawl about her, and slept
sweetly under the pines the whole night through.

But Sally did not go right to sleep again. Instead of that she sat up
against a tree, and began talking aloud to herself.

"Now, what am I to do? My Fairy Prince said that any one could get
learning who was bound to find out a way."

Sally again looked around, as she said, "My Fairy Prince," as if afraid
to have even the