going to the races.

And now they had come to the time when they must beg their bread. Soon
after sunrise the second morning, she stole out, and, rambling into some
fields at a short distance, plucked a few wild roses and such humble
flowers, purposing to make them into little nosegays and offer them to
the ladies in the carriages when the company arrived. Her thoughts were
not idle while she was thus busy; when she returned and was seated
beside the old man, tying her flowers together, while the two men lay
dozing in the corner, she plucked him by the sleeve, and, slightly
glancing toward them, said in a low voice:

"Grandfather, don't look at those I talk of, and don't seem as if I
spoke of anything but what I am about. What was that you told me before
we left the old house? That if they knew what we were going to do, they
would say that you were mad, and part us?"

The old man turned to her with a look of wild terror; but she checked
him by a look, and bidding him hold some flowers while she tied them up,
and so bringing her lips closer to his ear, said:

"I know that was what you told me. You needn't speak, dear. I recollect
it very well. It was not likely that I should forget it. Grandfather, I
have heard these men say they think that we have secretly left our
friends, and mean to carry us before some gentleman and have us taken
care of and sent back. If you let your hand tremble so, we can never get
away from them, but if you're only quiet now, we shall do so easily."

"How?" muttered the old man. "Dear Nell, how? They will shut me up in a
stone-room, dark and cold, and chain me up to the wall, Nell--flog me
with whips, and never let me see thee more!"

"You're trembling again," said the child. "Keep close to me all day.
Never mind them, don't look at them, but me. I shall find a time when we
can steal away. When I do, mind you come with me, and do not stop or
speak a word. Hush! That's all."

"Halloo! what are you up to, my dear?" said Mr. Codlin, raising his
head, and yawning.

"Making some nosegays," the child replied; "I am going to try to sell
some, these three days of the races. Will you have one--as a present, I
mean?"

Mr. Codlin would have risen to receive it, but the child hurried toward
him and placed it in his hand, and he stuck it in his button-hole.

As the morning wore on, the tents at the race-course assumed a gayer and
more brilliant appearance, and long lines of carriages came rolling