e hedge.

"Why, child," said he, "what's your sorrow?"

At this she glanced up in sudden fear but, like his voice, the Major's
grey eyes were gentle and very kindly; perceiving which she rose, the
better to bob him a curtsey, and sobbed forth her woe:

"O sir, 'tis all along of another grand gentleman like you as took away
my letter."

Forgetting fine clothes and dignity together, the Major sat down in the
ditch, drew the small, woebegone figure beside him and patted her
tear-stained cheek.

"Tell me all about it, you very small maid," said he. The little girl
hesitated, viewing him with the quick, intuitive eyes of childhood
then, checking her sobs, nestled within his velvet-clad arm.

"'Twas a letter, sir, as was gave me by a dirty man as did meet me by
the old mill, sir."

"You mean the ruined mill beyond the park wall, child?"

"Yes, please sir."

"And a dirty fellow, was he?"

"Yes sir, only with a clean voice--soft, like yours. And he give me a
groat and says I must take the letter to the Lady Carlyon as lives at
Densmere Court----"

"Lady Carlyon!" exclaimed the Major staring. "Good Lord! 'Tis
strange, very strange. Sure that was the name, child?"

"Sure, sir--the man did say it over and over and how I must give it to
only her. So I went 'long the road, sir, but a grand gentleman came up
behind me--so fine he was and grand and asked to see the letter and
took it and says as how he will give it to my lady and bid me run away
and that's all, sir."

"Well, never grieve, my small maid. You've done no harm--come let me
dry those pretty cheeks," which the Major with belaced handkerchief did
forthwith. "What's your name, child?" he enquired, lifting her to her
feet.

"Charity Bent, sir."

"'Tis a pretty name. Many brothers and sisters?"

"No, sir. I do be all father's got to take care o' him."

"So you take care of him, do you, child?"

"When he be at home, sir, he do work at the great house."

"Which is that?"

"The Manor, sir. And now I must go an' cook his supper, he'll be along
home soon."

"Eh--cook?" said the Major, staring at the small speaker. "Child, how
old are you?"

"Nine, please sir."

"Lord!" exclaimed the Major, and lifting her up he kissed her rosy
cheek and, taking off his hat, stood to watch the small figure flit
away down the grassy way beyond.

Hat in hand he leaned there once again, revolving in his mind the old
problem under a new aspect, thus:

Que