Extract from "Tanglewoods Secret"

No one else knew about our gap in the hedge-it was our own special right of way. Aunt Margaret could see the gate from the kitchen window, and sometimes we didn’t want anyone to know about our comings and goings. It led out into another meadow, which led to the road and in turn led to our dear woods. Once on the road I danced and shouted like a young mad thing. It was sheer joy to be alive on such a morning. Philip followed more quietly, his eyes fixed on the hedges, now and then stopping to listen or to watch. I did not wait for him; I felt as if Spring had got into my feet. I think I scared away most of the birds before Philip came anywhere near them. I jumped over the gate that led through the meadow and stood still for a minute, watching the mother sheep with their joyful, long-legged lambs, leaping, like me among the daisies. And as I watched, one of the lambs saw me and came rushing towards me, giving little bleats of welcome. I bent down and held out my arms; he ran straight into them, and started licking my face with his eager warm tongue. Philip was beside me by this time and as we played with the lamb an old shepherd came and leaned over the gate, smiling at us. “That’s the little orphan” he explained. “ He’s bottle fed, and he’s not afraid of anyone. The other sheep push him away, so off he goes on his own. He’s always in trouble, the little rascal! The lamb at this moment leaped from my knee and ran to the gate; the old man stooped and picked it up, saying. “He knows my voice my voice all right, don’t he?” Then tucking him inside his coat, he turned away towards the farm. “That’s a new shepherd,” I said to Philip. “I’ve never seen before.” “I have,” said Philip. “He’s over from Cradley for the lambing season. Come on Ruth, we’re wasting time!” He jumped up, and we raced across the open meadow with the wind blowing my plaits out behind me; then over a stile, and we were standing in our woods. Back to Her Life Back to Home Page Back to Her Books