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IX
Mother Marie
It was shadowy on the lawn, for it was after sunset. No one seemed to be looking, so hand in hand the two children ran across the drawbridge to the wicket in the garden wall which Nichette pushed open. Then for the first time the Queen found herself in her own garden, unswept and untrimmed to receive her.
“How beautiful it is here!” she cried, looking down at the rose-leaf carpet such as she had never seen. “I never saw it like this before, wild and unfussy. After this I shall come here often to play with you, Nichette.”
“And may I see the fountain play?” asked Nichette wistfully.
“Why, did you never see it?” asked the Queen43
