of his bear-skin, embraced her a thousand times and
comforted and encouraged her.

Agnella had no doubt that this dream was a warning sent by the fairy
Drolette. She resolved to watch carefully over Violette and to make
known to Ourson all that she could reveal to him without disobeying the
fairy.

When she had washed and dressed Violette, she called Ourson to
breakfast. Passerose brought them a bowl of milk fresh from the cow,
some good brown bread and a pot of butter. Violette, who was hungry,
shouted for joy when she saw this good breakfast.

"Violette loves good milk, good bread, good butter, loves everything
here, with good Ourson and good Mamma Ourson!"

"I am not called Mamma Ourson," said Agnella, laughing; "call me only
Mamma."

"Oh no, no! not mamma!" cried Violette, shaking her head sadly. "Mamma!
mamma is lost! she was always sleeping, never walking, never taking care
of poor Violette, never kissing little Violette, Mamma Ourson speaks,
walks, kisses Violette and dresses her. I love Mamma Ourson, oh, so
much!" she said, seizing Agnella's hand and pressing it to her heart.

Agnella replied by clasping her tenderly in her arms.

Ourson was much moved--his eyes were moist. Violette perceived this and
passing her hand over his eyes, she said, entreatingly:

"I pray you don't cry, Ourson; if you cry, Violette must cry too."

"No, no, dear little girl, I will cry no more. Let us eat our breakfast
and then we will take a walk."

They breakfasted with good appetites. Violette clapped her hands
frequently and exclaimed:

"Oh how good it is! I love it! I am very glad!"

After breakfast, Ourson and Violette went out to walk while Agnella and
Passerose attended to the house. Ourson played with Violette and
gathered her flowers and strawberries. She said to him:

"We will always walk with each other. You must always play with
Violette."

"I cannot always play, little girl. I have to help mamma and Passerose
to work."

"What sort of work, Ourson?"

"To sweep, scour, take care of the cow, cut the grass and bring wood and
water."

"Violette will work with Ourson."

"You are too little, dear Violette, but still you can try."

When they returned to the house, Ourson started on his various tasks.
Violette followed him everywhere, she did her best and believed that she
was helping him but she was really too small to be useful. After some
days had passed away, she began to wash the cups and saucers, spre