When the children were all safe in their homes, and Dick and Audrey were
walking back to theirs, he took something from his pocket and put it in
her hand.
“What's this?” said Audrey.
“It's a wedding-present,” said Dick. “I found it in the brook when we
were paddling.”
And Audrey laughed for joy and said: “Why, it's my ball! Look! there are
the flowers and children on the green side, and the stars and cherubs on
the blue side, as fresh as when my godmother gave it me. Who would have
thought it would keep so fresh and beautiful?”
She tossed it in the air, caught it, kissed it on the green side and the
blue side, and put it in her pocket.
[Illustration: Black and white illustration of a spotted dog figurine or
animal sitting on a mantelpiece or shelf between two lit candles, with a
small vase of flowers next to it.]