“Gracious, I hope they won’t hear,” said little Anne, “that would spoil it all.”

Perkins set a heavy basket down and wiped his forehead.

“You go and look, Mr. Launcelot,” he said, “and if there ain’t any one around you tie her to the hitching-post, and then bring the ends of those pink ribbons back with you.”

When that was accomplished, the Mysterious Four hid themselves in some bushes by the side of the road to await developments.

Presently Johnny McSwiggins, trailing listlessly towards the barn, gave one look and rushed back into the house.

“They’s somethin’ out thar,” he said, with his eyes bulging.

Mary McSwiggins, the oldest girl, looked at him hopelessly.  “I don’ care ef they is.  We alls too po’ fer anythin’ to hurt.”

“But hit looks lak Sweetheart’s ghos’,” declared Johnny, “an’ hit’s got pink ribbin on.  I declar’ hit look lak Sweetheart’s ghos’, Sistuh Ma’y.”

At that beloved name, Mary rushed out, while the family trailed behind, Mrs. McSwiggins bringing up the rear with the wan baby in her arms.

Tied to the post was Sweetheart, but such a cow had never been seen before in the history of Fairfax, for Judy was nothing if not original, and with the help of Anne and Launcelot she had decked the little cow gorgeously.

Around her neck was a huge wreath of roses, pink ribbons were tied to her horns, and two long pink streamers like reins went over her back and across the path and around the barn, where the ends were hidden.

“Gee,” said Johnny McSwiggins, but the rest of them were silent, gazing at this transformed and glorified Sweetheart, while Mary laid her head against the sleek neck and murmured love names to her dear little cow.

“They’s somethin’ at the end of them ribbins,” said Mrs. McSwiggins, after awhile, “you all go an’ look.”

And when they looked they found two huge baskets, one filled with wonderful things all ready to eat (Perkins had packed that), and the other filled with fruits and vegetables (Launcelot had raised them), and on top of one basket was a box of candy (Anne sat up to make it), and on the other a package of raisin cookies (from the little grandmother).

The little McSwiggins squealed and gurgled with delight, and then ate as only people can who have seen the gaunt wolf of starvation at the door, and as they ate they asked the question unceasingly: 

“Who sent it?”

“They’s a letter tied to her horn,” volunteered Johnny McSwiggins after he had devoured two cookies and three sandwiches and a chicken leg.  “I seen it.”

They found it under the roses, and when they opened it, there dropped out two yellow-backed bills (from the Judge and the Captain), and a note (and that was from Judy), and the note said: 

“I waved my wand and commanded that Sweetheart be brought back to you.  Also these other gifts.  If you wish to keep them, and to keep my favor, you must never ask whence they came.