PLEASANT DAYS OF. MY CHILDHOOD. 39 



gathered while the dew was still upon them, or the rites 

 lost half their virtue. , 



We were always up before the sun, and so eagerly 

 did we watch for the day that even our dreams were 

 haunted by the anticipated pleasure, for I remember my 

 mother telling of being startled in the night by seeing 

 the door softly open and a small white-robed figure glide 

 up to the bedside. It was Sara, her eyes wide open, 

 fixed and staring, but the dhild was fast ^asleep. Two 

 tiny hands held up the full folds of her night-dress as 

 she said, " Flowers, more flowers, Lila." Even in her 

 sleep she had gathered dream-flowers for the May Day 

 garlands. 



I was the youngest but one, and being an especial pet 

 in the household, on my happy head was conferred the 

 May crown, and I was duly greeted as Queen of May. 



Surely no queen could have been more joyous or 

 proud of her honors : my crown a circlet of flowers, my 

 sceptre a flower- wreathed wand of hazel, and my throne 

 a mound of daisy -sprinkled turf in the meadow by the 

 clear flowing river ; my loyal subjects, the dearest and 

 most loving of sisters. 



The crown so coveted was worn till night, and then 

 cast aside 1 to wither in the dust. Sic transit gloria 

 mundi! 



Within a short distance of the old house there was a 

 narrow bridle-path which we called the " little lane." 

 It was shut in from the main road, with which it ran. 



