92 Lily and Water-Lily.

 

The eyes of the loiterers rested on her good-
humouredly, one and all; even the most malicious
could not manage to pick a quarrel with Mother
Falaise—she was too entirely free from malice herself.

“Ah! you always had a soft corner for Michael,
my mother,” laughed Judith, as she helped Salome
hoist her copper water-vessels on to the yoke for her
shoulders.

“ And who else should have it if not I, who nursed
him at my breast when his own mother was laid in
the earth?” declared the woman, stoutly, looking
towards the comely youth who stood where he had
first appeared, but with a face set and stony as
though transfigured by grief. And then, guessing
his pain, but with the tact of affection refraining from
noticing it, she added, “For shame on you all to
twit a man with his ill luck! It’s you that are
cowards: not he. Ay, and it’ll serve you right if the
fairy’s milk gets some damage on your sills this night,
and misfortune comes your way next. Most like the
milk for the fairies was sour last night on Farmer