Although it had rained so heavily in the night the frost had turned everything hard and stiff; but as I ran on my way down the long avenue, and heard the sleepy twittering of the birds, I could have sung for the new, healthy life that was in my veins.

I had not gone far before the sun sent his golden rays above the horizon, and the blue came out in the sky overhead and it was day, and all at once the robins began to sing.
The early walk gave me a pleasant sense of adventure.

I was on my way to Castle Clody, and was wondering if I should find my godmother up and how I would tell her the good news.
By the time I arrived there the whole lawn and the hedges were shining with the diamonds of the frost in the good golden light, and glancing up at my godmother's window I saw that her blind was up, and said to myself that she must be awake and about.

Of course she was always an early riser, though she would have me lie late a-bed when I stayed with her, saying it was good for young people to sleep.
The doors and windows of Castle Clody were always open to the fresh air; and as I went in by the open hall door I saw my godmother coming down the stairs.
"Why, bless me, it is Bawn!" she said.

"What brings you so early, child?
There is no bad news, I trust.