However, Mrs. King was too good a nurse not to be awakened by his
first movement, and she came to him, gave him some cold tea, and
settled his pillow so as to make him more comfortable; and when he
begged her to let in a little more air, she went to open the window
wider, and relieve the closeness of the little room. She had learnt
while living with Lady Jane that night air is not so dangerous as
some people fancy; and it was an infinite relief to Alfred when the
lattice was thrown back, and the cool breeze came softly in, with the
freshness of the dew, and the delicious scent of the hay-field.

Mrs. King stood a moment to look out at the beautiful stillness of
early dawn, the trees and meads so gravely calmly quiet, and the
silver dew lying white over everything; the tanned hay-cocks rising
up all over the field, the morning star and waning moon glowing pale
as light of morning spread over the sky. Then a cock crew somewhere
at a distance, and Mrs. Shepherd's cock answered him more shrilly
close by, and the swallows began to twitter under the eaves.

'It WILL be a fine day, to be sure!' she said. 'The farmer will get
in his hay!' and then she stood looking as if something had caught
her attention.

'What do you see, Mother?' asked Alfred.

'I was looking what that was under yon hay-cock,' said Mrs. King;
'and I do believe it is some one sleeping there.'

'Ha!' cried Alfred. 'I dare say it is the boy that would not have
Miss Jane's sixpence.'