The blue-eyed little woman in her quaint cap, where
the little golden rings would curl over the border, and
the brown-eyed witch of Allan Bank were great friends.
They were a pretty pair, and Coleridge and Wordsworth
loved to watch their innocent games and prattle.
Dora's big brothers somewhat alarmed the " little fairy,"
as they called Sara. But her quick wit and responsive
sweetness soon won the rough fellows as champions.
They were a merry, happy party ; and Coleridge's pride
and delight in his child were touching. She must sleep
with him, and he was only happy when she was trotting
over the hills by his side. He had an endless store of
fairytales and " wonder-dreams " to tell her, and she
followed him like his shadow — a midday shadow was
this tiny maiden.
WORDSWORTH AND THE LAKE COUNTRY. 265

" Little daughter," said Coleridge, one day, taking
her into his arms and holding her close, " if you could
choose, would you live all the time with mother or with
father ? "

" I must live with my mamma ; but I will stay with
you," she answered quickly. " But I would like to
have both of you at once, like Edith and Dora. Why
will you not come home with me to my mamma ? " she
asked, looking wistfully into his loving eyes.
It was a touching appeal, and Coleridge sighed
heavily as he left the little girl with her companions,
and climbed wearily up Green Head Ghyll to the
mountain top.
