"Arthur would have questioned 'Aunt Twaddles' further, but they were now in a beautiful glen; and as they journeyed along he turned about to behold the lovely creations of nature that lay on every hand.
"The glen was not very wide, and the leafy branches of the tall, overhanging trees were so mingled together that the bright sunlight could not break through, while the beautiful wild flowers seemed striving to outdo each other in spreading their perfume about on the balmy air. Yet search as they might, there was not a spray of pennyroyal anywhere to be seen.
"A second glance over the glen proved it to be a most picturesque spot indeed; for the rocks that arose here and there from the flower-covered soil were not dark and weather-stained like those along the Shenandoah River, and the wild ferns and perfumed flowers tempted the observing children to stay their steps.
"'Now,' exclaimed 'Aunt Twaddles,' as they walked slowly along, 'this beautiful glen, my darlings, is called Temporary Delight, which means short pleasures; for, as you see, we are near its end.'
"Looking up, the children were surprised to behold in front of them a mountain of solid stone.
"They had not met with a greater surprise during their entire journey than this towering cliff of rock that now barred their way; and little Maud, suddenly hushed, dropped her flowers upon the ground and turned with a troubled look to 'Aunt Twaddles' as she said in a trembling voice:
"'Aunt Twaddles, the flowers are beautiful, but, see, they fade as quickly as they are plucked, and are not worth carrying. Besides, I do not see any pennyroyal. How shall we ever get beyond this great mountain?'
"'Aunt Twaddles' was standing on the top of a rock, the summit of which she had reached with a mighty bound; and as she noticed the troubled look on the faces of the children, she laughed until her fat sides fairly shook, when she said to little Maud in reply:
"'The pleasures of life, like these flowers, are never very lasting, my dear. Never mind, you shall have your pennyroyal. Just learn to wait and be patient, for all things require time.'
"She made an effort to whistle, but her fat cheeks refused to make other than a low hissing sound.