The White Lily. 45

 

She called many times, but he neither answered nor
showed himself, so she concluded that he must be
out.

Of course, he was very often out, quite as often as
he was at home.

“T shan’t come again,” said little Pearl, with her
head in the air. “He'll be running after me soon
enough. I dare say he is waiting for me now, poor
fellow, by the tree where we always have dinner.”

She turned away and went back to Ruby. But as
she went, she looked just once to see if the mouse
was in sight. 2

Impossible !

Why, he was at home all the while.

When he thought her back was turned, he peeped
out to see.

There were the little bright eyes that she knew,
and the little pointed nose at the door! He drew
back as quick as lightning when he saw that she
was looking, but Pearl had seen for all that.

She had seen, and her eyes filled with burning tears