CHAPTER VI.
A BRASS HELMET Madam's breakfast was ready, and there was just time to cook the new-laid egg and put it on the tray.
Terry got behind the open door, and great was her delight when she heard Granny say: "Why, Nancy, you don't mean to tell me that this is a new-laid egg! Where can you have got it ?" "A nice little hen laid it for you, madam," said Nancy, "and may be there's more where it come from." "That is very good," said Granny.

"What are the children doing at present, Nancy ?" "They're just about goin' to get their breakfast, madam." "Isn't it rather late for their breakfast ?" said Granny.
"Both of them's been out, madam, and have got appetites like young troopers," said Nancy evasively.
Terry listened with the keenest disappointment.

Was Nancy not going to tell Granny that it was she, Terry, who had got her that egg for her breakfast?
When the nursery meal appeared, Terry rushed forth her grievance.
"Oh, Nursey, you never told Granny who got her that egg! And after all the trouble I took!" "The trouble you took was all boldness and disobedience," said Nancy, "and it's just the way you're to be punished by not letting her know.

It isn't to screen you that I'm not tellin' her the whole of your conduct, but only just that I won't have her sick about it.

It wasn't you at all that got the eggs, but Misther Reilly; for there you were stuck in the dyke, with the pony hurted, an you as far off as to-morrow from Connolly's farm." "It's a worse punishment than if you beat me," said Terry.