Following these murmurous, sun-kissed waters, I came where they widened suddenly into a dark and silent pool; and here, well-screened by bending willows, I ventured to bathe and found in the cool, sweet water such gasping delight that I could have sung and shouted for pure joy of it. Greatly invigorated and prodigiously hungry, I donned my unlovely garments happily enough but stooping above this watery mirror to comb my damp locks into such order as my fingers might compass, I beheld my face, its features bruised and distorted out of all shape; and remembering Diana had laughed at and made mock of these disfigurements, I sat down, not troubling about my hair, and began to muse upon her heartlessness, contrasting this with my aunt Julia's unfailing sympathy and tender, loving care, and immediately felt myself woefully solitary, miserably cold and desperately hungry. The world, despite sunshine and bird-song, was a dark and evil place wherein I stood desolate and forlorn; here, bowing my head between my hands, I began to despair of myself and the future. But now, and all at once, what must obtrude upon these gloomy thoughts but a vision of ham and eggs, a tantalisation that would not be banished. "Perry--green!" I lifted my head to listen intently; and presently heard it again, a voice rich and full and smooth as note of blackbird, calling upon my name: "Perry--green! Breakfast's ready--ham an' eggs! Perry--green!" Snatching soap and towel I rose, my gloomy thoughts forgotten again, and hasted whither this voice summoned me. "Are ye washed?" she enquired, dexterously skewering a large ham rasher upon the iron fork and transferring it to a platter. "I am!" "And hungry?" "Extremely!" "Then you may eat! Here's breakfast--only don't go asking how I got it--nor yet where!" So we ate, scarce speaking; I, for one, seldom lifting my gaze from the platter balanced upon my knees. I ate, I say, each mouthful a joy, ham that was a melting ecstasy and eggs of such delicate flavour as I had never tasted till now, it seemed. "Diana," I sighed at last, "you are a truly wonderful cook!" "No," she answered; "you are hungry, that's all. 'T is a good thing to be hungry--sometimes!"