60 The Flame-Flower

Flamma threw herself at Honora’s feet,
stretching forth her arms, and_ cried
“Mother!” And her cry was so sad that
the wild things of the forest heard it, and
ceased their chattering and calling, and were
silent.

But Honora said, “I am no mother—
get you hence!”

Flamma laid her head upon her mother’s
breast, so that the flame-flower rested over
her mother’s heart; and Honora’s eyelids
quivered, and her lip; she pressed her hand
to her forehead, and passed it over her eyes ;
and her eyes were wet with tears for the
first time for so long!

Then, as the flame-flower flickered over
her heart, she broke into sobs, clasping
Flamma to her, and fondling her; and so
they stayed some space.

Then Honora held out Flamma from her
at arm’s length, gazing upon her; and she
saw that the girl was pale and ill, which
thing she had never perceived before that
time ; and Honora placed her upon the poor
bed of skins, preparing meat for her.