which it is wrapped, and, see, John, a toy of coral with
gold bells! My pretty one, hush! hush! hush!" And Mrs. Shelley rocked
the child in her arms; but her astonishment and admiration got the
better of her motherly instinct for a moment, and she proceeded with her
examination of its clothes. "Its nightdress is the finest cambric and
trimmed with real lace, and see this exquisite handkerchief tucked in
for a feeder; look! there is a coronet on it, John. I verily believe the
'Pharisees,' as the children say, brought it. Do go and see if there is
a fairy ring in the meadow, then I shall be sure they did!"

Now, Sussex peasants--shepherds, especially--were very superstitious in
the days in which this baby was found, and both John Shelley and his
wife half believed that the fungus rings, so often found on the downs,
were made by the fairies, or "Pharisees," as they called them. So,
partly to see if he could find any further clue to the child, partly to
look for the fungus ring, John Shelley took a lantern and went out to
explore the premises.

As soon as he was gone, Mrs. Shelley, who was an impulsive woman, gave
the little stranger the supper that by right belonged to her own infant.

[Illustration: A VISIT FROM DAME HURSEY.]

"My boy is stronger than this little fragile creature, and he must wait
till I have fed it," she said to herself. "Poor little mite, I don't
believe it has been undressed for days, its beautiful dress is so dirty.
I shall have time to bathe it and put it on some of Charlie's clean
things before John comes in to his supper."

And as John was very slow and deliberate in all his actions, and his
wife very quick in all hers, by the time he came back the little
stranger was washed and dressed, and fed, and sleeping quietly in the
cradle, while Mrs. Shelley nursed her own boy.

"Well, John, have you found any fairy rings?"

"No, Polly; no, I can't make it out at all; it is very odd--very odd
indeed. I can't think where the child came from," said John, shaking his
head, slowly. "I don't believe the fairies brought it, though," he
added, after a pause.

"Who do you think did, then?" asked Mrs. Shelley, quickly.

"I don't know who brought it, but I tell you what, Polly, I believe God
sent it and means us to take care of it."

"Take care of it! Why, of course we must, John. You don't suppose I
dreamt of sending it to the workhouse, do you? Little darling! Why, it
is the very thing we have been long