The result of all this haste was that, long before she expected it, Poppy found herself face to face with the little brown cottage, and felt there must be some mistake. This could not be the place, she thought; it must be another. Perhaps, oh dreadful doubt! she had come the wrong way. She was a very wise little person, though, and to make sure, before she went further, she determined to go in and inquire. Rather timidly, but full of interest, she walked along the paved garden path, and tapped at the door with her knuckles, not being able to reach the knocker. It was a feeble knock, but soon called forth an answer. A man opened it, an elderly man--Anne himself, in fact. "Please does Mademoiselle Le-le-, the French lady, live here?" she asked, finding some difficulty in pronouncing the long French name. "Yes, m'amzelle. M'amzelle Leperier lives here." Poppy was a little non-plussed. She had not thought out any plan or reason to give for her visit, nor how she was to reach the presence of Esther's new friend, but her usual ready frankness stood her in good stead. "I have come to ask how she is, and how--how Anne's wife is. My sister Esther was here last night. Made--Miss, the French lady, asked her to tea, and--and sent her home with a Mr. Anne." The man smiled. "Ah! I know. The young lady I conducted to her home last night-- Miss Esthaire. Come inside, m'amzelle. I know M'amzelle Leperier will wish to see you." A sudden shyness rushed over Poppy. "Oh, I--I don't think I had better come in, thank you. I didn't mean to do that. I have to go all the way home, and it will take me rather a long time. I--I only brought a fresh egg that Angela's hen laid this morning, and some parsley out of my own garden for--for Miss Leperier, and perhaps if she didn't like it she might give it to your wife. I am sorry I had nothing nicer." "There couldn't be anything nicer, m'amzelle," said Anne Roth with ready tact. "It will come in for an omelette for the mistress's lunch, and the parsley too, it will be most useful. How fine it is. We have none here. It is always a difficulty to get any." "Oh, I am so glad I brought it!" cried Poppy, flushing with delight. "If ever you want any, _do_ come and have some of mine. I have a whole bedful, and all from a penny packet of seed that I sowed myself. I should be delighted to give you some at any time." She refrained from mentioning the fact that it was her only source of income. She had thrust the basket and the parsley into the man's hand, and was edging away. "But M'amzelle will be annoyed with me if I let you go all the way back without any rest," he pleaded. "Please to enter, m'amzelle." At that moment Mademoiselle Leperier herself appeared. Anne turned to her with relief. "Here, M'amzelle, is the sister of the young lady who was here last night. She has come with kind inquiries for M'amzelle and my wife."