THE SUGAR MOON 41 



erly form moving in and out, bent on house- 

 hold tasks. 



Evening drew near. Nani saw the mother, 

 with cloak and umbrella and basket, go down 

 the road; but she took a short cut home 

 through the maple wood, and so came upon 

 Nani sitting under the tree, watching for her 

 return along the road. 



'^Dear child," she said, '*why are you sit- 

 ting out in the rain ? Only little ducklings like 

 so much wet." She sat down on the log and 

 drew Nani close under the big umbrella. 



* * I do not mind the rain, ' ' replied Nani. * * It 

 makes the plants grow, and so perhaps it will 

 be good for me." 



**Are you far from home?" the mother 

 asked. 



**I live in the wood," answered Nani. 



'*Come, I will take you home under my um- 

 brella," said Mrs. Brier. 



Nani crept closer. * ' This is my home — right 

 here." 



The mother looked down at the strange child, 

 of whom she had heard so much yet never seen 



