I carried her on my back to mother; and then we dressed her all anew, and took her where she ordered us; but she did not tell us who she was, nor anything more than her Christian name, and that she was eight years old, and fond of fried batatas.

And we did not seek to ask her more; as our manner is with visitors.
But thinking of this little story, and seeing how she looked at me, I lost my fear of Mother Melldrum, and began to like her; partly because I had helped her grandchild, and partly that if she were so wise, no need would have been for me to save the little thing from drowning.

Therefore I stood up and said, though scarcely yet established in my power against hers,-- 'Good mother, the shoe she lost was in the mire, and not with us.

And we could not match it, although we gave her a pair of sister Lizzie's.' 'My son, what care I for her shoe?
How simple thou art, and foolish! according to the thoughts of some.

Now tell me, for thou canst not lie, what has brought thee to me.' Being so ashamed and bashful, I was half-inclined to tell her a lie, until she said that I could not do it; and then I knew that I could not.
'I am come to know,' I said, looking at a rock the while, to keep my voice from shaking, 'when I may go to see Lorna Doone.' No more could I say, though my mind was charged to ask fifty other questions.