The afternoon was as happy a one to the children as that of the day before.  They greatly enjoyed the dainty lunch from the little tea-set.  They had cocoa to-day instead of the beaten egg and milk; then, just before Hazel went home, Miss Fletcher let her water the garden with a fascinating sprinkler that whirled and was always just about to deluge either the one who managed it or her companions.

In the child’s little hands it was a dangerous weapon, but Miss Fletcher very kindly and patiently helped her to use it, for she saw the pleasure she was bestowing.

That night Hazel had a still more joyous tale to tell of her happy day; and uncle Dick went out doors with her after supper and watched her water her own garden bed and listened to her chatter with much satisfaction.

“So Miss Fletcher doesn’t care to come and lunch in my yard,” he remarked.

“No,” returned Hazel, pausing and regarding him.  “She says she used to know you well enough to spank you, too.”

Mr. Badger laughed.  “She certainly did.”

“Then error must have crept in,” said the little girl, “that she doesn’t know you now.”

“I used to think it had, when she got after me.”

The child observed his laughing face wistfully, “She didn’t know how to handle it in mind, did she?”

“Not much.  A slipper was good enough for her.”

“Well, I don’t see what’s the matter,” said Hazel.

“’Tisn’t necessary, little one.  You go on having a good time.  Everything will come out all right some day.”

As Mr. Badger spoke he little knew what activity was taking place in his aunt’s thought.  Her heart had been touched by the surprising arrival and sympathy of her namesake, and her conscience had been awakened by the array of golden words from the Bible which she had not studied much during late bitter years.  The story of the Quest Flower, falling upon her softened heart, seemed to hold for her a special meaning.

In the late twilight that evening she stood alone in her garden, and the opening chalice of the perfect lily shone up at her through the dusk.  “Only a couple of days, at most,” she murmured, “not more than a couple of days—­and humility was the root!”

When it rained the following morning, Flossie looked out the window rather disconsolately; but after dinner her face brightened, for she saw Hazel coming up the street under an umbrella.  Tightly held in one arm were Ella and a bundle of books and doll’s clothes.  Miss Fletcher welcomed the guest gladly, and, after disposing of her umbrella, left the children together and took her sewing upstairs where she sat at work by a window, frowning and smiling by turns at her own thoughts.

Occasionally she looked down furtively at her garden, where in plain view the quest flower drank in the warm rain and opened—­opened!

By this time Flossie and Hazel were great friends, and the expression of the former’s face had changed even in three days, until one would forget to call her an afflicted child.