802 MASTER SKYLARK

between his strong young hands, and looked into her
happy eyes, “mother dear, I ha’ been to London town; I
ha’ been to the palace, and I ha’ seen the Queen; but,
mother,” he said, with a little tremble in his voice, for all
he smiled so bravely, “I ha’ never seen the place where I
would rather be than just where thou art, mother dear!”

The soft gray twilight gathered in the little garden;
far-off voices drifted faintly from the town. The day
was done. Cool and still, and filled with gentle peace,
the starlit night came down from the dewy hills; and
Cicely lay fast asleep in Simon Attwood’s arms.