MARGARET. 135

_“T will take my dinner with me, father,” said Margaret, as
she left home, “and I have dinner all ready for you on the
shelf. Do you think you can hobble so far?”

“Yes, daughter, with my crutch I can get about very
comfortably ; but I weary sadly to be here idle all day while
you are doing my work.”

“Never mind, daddy,” replied the girl, “you will soon be
about again, and I do love the little sheep; Nanny is so
funny. It isn’t a bit of a hardship for me, and you know I
enjoy nothing more than being out in the fields and up on the
mountain. J am going to the high pasture to-day, so I shall
not be home till late. Now don’t worry, daddy, for that rheu-
matism must have the best chance you can give it.”

“Well, well, Margie, I will not worry any more than I can
help, but it was a bad day for me when I had that rheumatism
come on.”

“Now, daddy, that isn’t fair; you know everything is going
on beautifully.”

“Yes, I know; I suppose I haven’t much patience.”

“Well, I must be off. Good-by, father.” And Margaret
nodded cheerfully as she went out.

On her way up the mountain path one little sheep kept
close beside her; this was Nanny, whom Margaret had cosseted
and petted as a tiny lamb till now she was almost like a
human being. Dee was her dearest friend, and the two were
constantly together. No fence too high for Nanny to climb,