dropped on the
old brown turf in a passion of sobs.

For a moment Poppy gazed, too entirely astonished to know what to do.
She could not remember when she had last seen Penelope weep; it happened
so rarely. Flinging herself on the turf beside her, she threw her arms
lovingly about her. "Don't cry, darling. Oh, Pen, don't cry," she
pleaded. "It doesn't matter what that horrid old Miss Row says, and we
all love you. Don't cry, dear." She was too young to comprehend what was
hurting Penelope most--the words that rankled, and stung; the charge of
ingratitude; the taunt; the throwing up to her of favours she had
received--things no lady should ever permit herself to do.

Under the lash of it all Penelope sobbed on uncontrollably. When she did
weep, she did weep--a perfect storm of tears that shook and exhausted her.
Poppy grew frightened at the violence of her grief. There seemed to be
something more here than she could understand. "Oh, where is Essie?
Essie must come," she cried, raising herself on her knees and looking
about for her sisters; but Esther and Angela were at some distance,
walking slowly but steadily away, apparently absorbed in talk.

Poppy sighed a big sigh which sounded almost like a sob. "My poor little
birthday," she murmured wistfully, "that I fought was going to be so
lovely!"

The words and the tone touched Penelope. Her sobs grew less, broke forth
again, then stopped, and she struggled up into a sitting position.
"Oh, you poor little Poppet," she cried. "It _is_ hard on you. I _am_ so
sorry, dear. It is too bad that your birthday should be spoilt like this.
I wish--I wish we had kept to the moor, and not come anywhere near human
beings." Tears welled up into her eyes again, but she only threw up her
head and tilted her nose a little higher, as though to make them run back.

"Never mind, darling. We will try to forget all about it, and enjoy
ourselves."; but a sob shook her even as she spoke.

"And it began so beautifully," Poppy was murmuring. "Anna said 'Laugh
before breakfast, cry before night,' and it's come true. I'll never laugh
before breakfast again."

Penelope listening to her, suddenly made up her mind. It _should_ be a
beautiful day, after all. They would put away all unpleasant thoughts for
Poppy's sake. It rested with her to be cheerful herself, and to comfort
and cheer up the others. She put her arms about her baby sister and drew
her closer. "Poppy dear, do