Page:The Way of a Virgin.djvu/112

Rh Quitting the road, they entered a wood wherein were several streamlets, which one crossed by means of planks. Even as the maid walked upon one of these planks Pierre, who marched behind her, cast a stone into the water hard by the girl.

"Alas!" cried the maiden. "What will my mother say? Behold, my maidenhead hath fallen in the water and is lost!"

"Fear not," answered the lad. "'Tis fortunate I am here. I will restore it thee. Come with me 'neath the trees, and say naught if the business hurteh thee, for 'tis all for thy good."

Then Pierre, in very sooth, 'put back' the maidenhead for her, and shortly afterward they came to the second plank. Even as the girl stood upon it, two or three frogs, slumbering at the streamside, were affrighted and hopped into the water, which spirted up 'neath the maiden.

"Ah! Pierre!" cried she. "'Tis lost again! It seemeth that it was not firm. 'Twas most wrong of thee not to have put it back more firmly."

"Say no more," answered Pierre. "I will again put it back."

And when the maidenhead had been put back for the second time, they went on, reaching the assembly, where they diverted themselves as did the others.

On their return journey, even as the young girl passed over a plank, Pierre cast in the water an apple which he had in his pocket.

"What will my mother say?" cried the girl. "'Tis the third time I have lost it to-day!"

"Fear not," quoth Pierre. "I am about to sew it on again."

When the maidenhead had been resewed, the