THE GOLD OF FAIRNILEE. 301

 

on a warm summer day, like the day when
Randal and Jean sat there, with the daisies at
their feet, and the wild doves cooing above
their heads, and the rabbits running in and
out among the ferns.

Jean and Randal talked about this and that,
chiefly of how some money could be got to buy
corn and cattle for the people. Randal was in
favour of crossing the Border at night, and
driving away cattle from the English side,
according to the usual custom.

“Every day I expect to see a pair of spurs
in a dish for all our dinner,” said Randal.

That was the sign the lady of the house in
the Forest used to give her men, when all the
beef was done, and more had to be got by
fighting.

But Jeanie would not hear of Randal taking
spear and jack, and putting himself in danger
by fighting the English. They were her own
people after all, though she could not remember
them and the days before she was carried out
of England by Simon Grieve.

“Then,” said Randal, “‘am I to go back to
Fairyland, and fetch more gold like this ugly
thing?” and he felt in his pocket for the fairy
- bottle.

But it was not in his pocket.

“‘ What have I done with my fairy treasure ?”’
cried Randal, jumping up. Then he stood still.
quite suddenly, as if he saw something strange.