84 THE RETURN HOME. 



supper. The poor destitute thankfully received what was so 

 kindly proffered, and was wonderfully refreshed by the timely 

 aid. She slept that night in the old tree, and the next day, 

 all the water having disappeared, contrived to reach her home ; 

 but her "friend in need" had taken care to supply her before 

 hand with a good breakfast, and would not suffer her to depart 

 without a store of honey to refresh her on the road. The 

 gift was not, however, applied to this purpose by our good 

 villager. The unkindness of the many could not freeze her 

 heart, while there was the kindness of one to keep it warm ; 

 and it was with all, and more than all her usual delight, that 

 she imparted of her hard-won treasure to her poor fellow-la* 

 bourers, whom she had never thought to see again. By the 

 time she returned, they had nearly all awoke from their com- 

 mon slumber ; but a few only were at home to welcome her, the 

 rest having gone out, early, to forage for provisions, and where 

 should they have gone, but to the oak pollard and the people 

 of the pipes. From these, and above all from the little brown- 

 coated gentleman, who wore his pipe en queue, they met with 

 infinite civility, and with what they wanted more, a plentiful 

 supply. After the shabby treatment of their sister in need, 

 this might seem somewhat marvellous but then, she had gone 

 alone and as a suppliant, with nothing but past services to 

 cover her effrontery ; they had gone in a body, and solicited 

 supplies in a tone authorized by numbers and by the right of 

 custom. 



