They could see Polly
reading a book under the big tree.
"What ho! the little queen," said Darrel, as they came near, "Now,
put upon her brow 'an odorous chaplet o' sweet summer buds.'"
She came to meet them in a pretty pink dress and slippers and white
stockings.
"Fair lady, I bring thee flowers," said Darrel, handing her a
bouquet. "They are from the great garden o' the fields."
"And I bring a crown," said Trove, as he kissed her and put a
wreath of clover and wild roses on her brow.
"I thought something dreadful had happened," said Polly, with tears
in her eyes. "For three days I've been dressed up waiting."
"An' a grand dress it is," said Barrel, surveying her pretty figure.
"I've nearly worn it out waiting," said she, looking down, her
voice trembling.
"Tut, tut, girl--'tis a lovely dress," the tinker insisted.
"It is one my mother wore when she was a girl," said Polly,
proudly. "It was made over."
"O--oh! God love thee, child!" said the tinker, in a tone of great
admiration. "'Tis beautiful."
"And, you came through the woods?" said Polly.
"Through wood and field," was Trove's answer.
"I wonder you knew the way."
"The little god o' love--he shot his arrows, an' we followed them
as the hunter follows the bee," said Darrel.
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