"Oh, Esther always obeys!" said the youth from the grass, "and is the happiest little mortal in doing so; but that would not suit every one."
He turned round restlessly, and any one who cared might see that his pitcher was empty enough as it lay on the ground under his arm.
Esther was all unconscious that the eyes of the party were fixed upon her. When she had completed her chain of daisies, she took her little brother's hand in hers.
"Now, darling," she said softly, "you promised me you would go at once to get your little pitcher filled."
He nodded and trotted off by her side, while she continued, "It would be so sad not to have any Oil when night comes on, wouldn't it?"
"But you could lend me some," answered the child, confident in her love.
"You know I can't; I must not; no one can lend. So that is why I want you to get some for yourself."
As they turned round to go towards the place where I imagined the Golden Oil was to be obtained, I saw another strange thing about these children which I had not noticed before; each carried, fastened to the same girdle, a tiny lamp. I looked round to enquire the meaning of it all, but found myself unable to speak; so I could do nothing but follow the two children to see what would become of them.
"But why must we have our lamps lighted. Esther?" asked the little one; "I go to sleep all night."
"Yes," said Esther; "but every night before I go to sleep I trim and light my lamp, and then, if the King were to come, I should only have to jump up and run out to welcome Him."