In this idyllic woodland scene, Arthur Hughes captures a moment of rustic innocence as a barefoot shepherdess pauses by a stream to tend to her hair. Surrounded by playful kids and dappled heather, the red-haired girl stands in soft morning light, her garments rumpled and a satchel slung casually at her waist. The lush forest, rendered in exquisite Pre-Raphaelite detail, glows with life—each leaf, rock, and ripple painted with loving care. The disarray of her shawl and crook on the ground suggests spontaneity, while the atmosphere exudes a tender harmony between youth, nature, and simplicity.