The tap of a stick made her look up , and standing before her she saw a little old woman , whose face was strange to her . ` You would like to sit down and rest , granny ? ' asked Tephany , pushing aside her bundle . ` When the sky is all the roof you have , you rest where you will , ' replied the old woman in trembling tones . ` Are you so lonely , then ? ' inquired Tephany , full of pity . ` Have you no friends who would welcome you into their houses ? ' The old woman shook her head . ` They all died long , long ago , ' she answered , ` and the only friends I have are strangers with kind hearts . ' The girl did not speak for a moment , then held out the small loaf and some bacon intended for her dinner . ` Take this , ' she said ; ` to-day at any rate you shall dine well , ' and the old woman took it , gazing at Tephany the while . ` Those who help others deserve to be helped , ' she answered ; ` your eyes are still red because that miser Barbaik has forbidden you to speak to the young man from Plover . But cheer up , you are a good girl , and I will give you something that will enable you to see him once every day . ' ` You ? ' cried Tephany , stupefied at discovering that the beggar knew all about her affairs , but the old woman did not hear her . ` Take this long copper pin , ' she went on , ` and every time you stick it in your dress Mother Bourhis will be obliged to leave the house in order to go and count her cabbages . As long as the pin is in your dress you will be free , and your aunt will not come back until you have put it in its case again . ' Then , rising , she nodded to Tephany and vanished . The girl stood where she was , as still as a stone . If it had not been for the pin in her hands she would have thought she was dreaming .
But by that token she knew it was no common old woman who had given it XXXXX her , but a fairy , wise in telling what would happen in the days to come .
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