42 FOREST FANCIES 



before. **Tell me all about yourself, dear 

 child. Where is your home ? Have you broth- 

 ers and sisters?" 



*^0h, many, many!" Nani cried. 



**Ah, yes," said Mrs. Brier thoughtfully, 

 glancing at Nani's odd dress; **I see, you live 

 in an institution." 



Nani laughed merrily. **Tes, I am the in- 

 mate of an institution," she replied. ^^But 

 when the maple buds awake, I may come and 

 live with you, if " 



''If what, child?" 



*'If the charm be not broken," said Nani. 



When the mother j&rst put her arm, like a 

 warm cloak, around the child, she felt as if she 

 were holding a shadow — or a sunbeam, rather; 

 but the longer they sat thus together, the 

 firmer she seemed to hold Nani, into whose 

 cheek a flush dawned and into whose clear eyes 

 a look came which made her seem more real; 

 and the mother-eyes, looking down into the 

 bright face, half caught the mystery that she 

 could not understand yet which her heart 

 seemed to know. 



