The Herd Boy and His Hermit | Page 7

the mark that stood for the central star of what we call
the Bear's Tail.
'I never saw that!'
'No, 'tis only to be seen on a clear bright night. I have seen it, but Hob
mocks at it. He thinks the only use of the Wain is to find the North Star,
up beyond there, pointing by the back of the Plough, and go by it when
you are lost.'
'What good would finding the North Star do? It would not have helped
me home if you had not found me!'
'Look here, Lady Anne! Which way does Greystone lie?'
'How should I tell?'
'Which way did the sun lie when you crossed the moor?'
Anne could not remember at first, but by-and-by recollected that it
dazzled her eyes just as she was looking for the runaway pony; and Hal
declared that it proved that the convent must have been to the south of
the spot of her fall; but his astronomy, though eagerly demonstrated,
was not likely to have brought her back to Greystone. Still Doll was
thankful for the safe subject, as he went on to mark out what he
promised that she should see in the winter--the swarm of glow-worms,

as he called the Pleiades; and 'Our Lady's Rock,' namely, distaff, the
northern name for Orion; and then he talked of the stars that so
perplexed him, namely, the planets, that never stayed in their places.
By-and-by, when Mother Dolly's work was over the kettle was on the
fire, and she was able to take out her own spinning, she essayed to fill
up the time by telling them lengthily the old stories and ballads handed
down from minstrel to minstrel, from nurse to nurse, and they sat
entranced, listening to the stories, more than even Hal knew she
possessed, and holding one another by the hand as they listened.
Meantime the snow had ceased--it was but a scud of early autumn on
the mountains--the sun came out with bright slanting beams before his
setting, there was a soft south wind; and Hob, when he came in,
growled out that the thaw had set in, and he should be able to take the
maid back in the morning. He sat scowling and silent during supper,
and ordered Hal about with sharp sternness, sending him out to attend
to the litter of the cattle, before all had finished, and manifestly treated
him as the shepherd's boy, the drudge of the house, and threatening him
with a staff if he lingered, soon following himself. Mother Dolly
insisted on putting the little lady to bed before they should return, and
convent-bred Anne had sufficient respect for proprieties to see that it
was becoming. She heard no more that night.

CHAPTER III
. OVER THE MOOR

In humblest, simplest habit clad, But these were all to
me.--GOLDSMITH.
'Hal! What is your name?'
She stood at the door of the hovel, the rising sun lighting up her bright
dark eyes, and smiling in the curly rings of her hair while Hal stood by,
and Watch bounded round them.
'You have heard,' he said, half smiling, and half embarrassed.
'Hal! That's no name.'
'Harry, an it like you better.'
'Harry what?' with a little stamp of her foot.
'Harry Hogward, as you see, or Shepherd, so please you.'

'You are no Hogward, nor shepherd! These folk be no kin to you, I can
see. Come, an you love me, tell me true! I told you true who I am, Red
Rose though I see you be! Why not trust me the same?'
'Lady, I verily ken no name save Harry. I would trust you, verily I
would, but I know not myself.'
'I guess! I guess!' she cried, clapping her hands, but at the moment
Dolly laid a hand on her shoulder.
'Do not guess, maiden,' she said. 'If thou wouldst not bring evil on the
lad that found thee, and the roof that sheltered thee, guess not, yea, and
utter not a word save that thou hast lain in a shepherd's hut. Forget all,
as though thou hadst slept in the castle on the hill that fades away with
the day.'
She ended hastily, for her husband was coming up with a rough pony's
halter in his hand. He was in haste to be off, lest a search for the lost
child might extend to his abode, and his gloomy displeasure and
ill-masked uneasiness reduced every-one to silence in his presence.
'Up and away, lady wench!' he said. 'No time to lose if you are to be at
Greystone ere night! Thou Hal, thou lazy lubber, go with Piers and the
sheep--'
'I shall go with you,' replied Hal, in a grave tone of resolution. 'I will
only go within view