ne, and by way of that to
the wide stretch of wild land which crowned the top of the hill.
She wanted to be alone, and free, to fight out her battle alone.

"If I'd known Mona hadn't told--" The mean thought would try to take root
in her mind, but she weeded it out and trampled on it. In her heart she
was profoundly impressed by Mona's conduct, and she was glad, devoutly
glad, that she had not been less honourable and courageous. She could
face people now, and not feel a sneak or a coward.

In all her life after Millie never forgot her walk on that sunny summer
evening. The charm and beauty, the singing of the birds, the scent of the
furze and the heather, the peace of it, after the storms she had lived
through lately, sank deep into her soul.

Her wickedness of the past week had frightened her. "I felt I didn't care
what I did, I was so wild with Mona. I wonder I didn't do more harm than
I did. And then Patty, poor little Patty. I nearly drowned her!
Oh-h-h!" She buried her face and shuddered at the remembrance.
"I knew she'd fall into the water if I pushed her, so it was as bad as
being a murderer. If she had died--and she nearly did--I should have been
one, and I should have been in jail now, and--oh, I _will_ try to be good,
I _will_ try to be better!"

Long shadows were falling across the road as she went down the hill,
on her homeward way. The flowers in Lucy Carne's garden were giving out
their evening scent. Lucy, standing enjoying them, looked up as Millie
came along, and nodded.

"Wouldn't you like a flower to wear?" she asked.

Millie paused. "I'd love one," she said, looking in over the low stone
wall. "I never smell any so sweet as yours, Mrs. Carne."

Lucy gathered her a spray of pink roses, and some white jessamine.
"There," she said, "fasten those in your blouse. Isn't the scent
beautiful? I don't think one could do anything bad, or think anything
bad, with flowers like those under one's eyes and nose, do you?"

"Don't you?" questioned Millie, doubtfully. "I don't believe anything
would keep me good."

Lucy looked at her in faint surprise. It was not like Millie to speak
with so much feeling. "You don't expect me to believe that," she began,
half laughing; then stopped, for there were still traces of tears about
Millie's eyes, and a tremulousness about her lips, and Lucy knew that she
was really in need of help.

"I know that you've got more courage than most of us, Millie,"