"But I should take hold of your hand, Esther!" said the little man.
"Oh, but the King says we must obey, Ernest; it is of no use thinking you will do all those things. You might not be able to find me in the dark, nor find the King. He tells us to ask for the Golden Oil, and to trim the golden lamp, and we have nothing to do but obey."
Esther pressed his little hand, and they hastened on. Presently, just by the side of the road I saw a Herald standing, with an open book in his hand, and though I could not catch all the words he said, I saw that the children understood.
"I do not like to go in," little Ernest was urging, as he pulled back Esther's hand; "I am afraid to."
"But the Herald says, 'Whosoever will,' that means you, Ernest darling."
Then they turned in under an archway, Ernest, now that his mind was made up, running on before.
Esther waited just inside the gate. She could not follow right into the chamber where the Oil was given away, for each one who would get his vessel filled with the Golden Oil must go in alone to receive it.
In a very few minutes Ernest came out again, bearing the golden pitcher full of Golden Oil. His face was radiant, and as he took Esther's hand once more, he looked up into her face with large, wondering eyes.
"Esther," he said, "the King came down and spoke to me Himself, and put His hand on my head, and charged me to listen to the Herald's message, and to obey."
Esther's eyes glistened. "Is He not a gracious King, Ernest?" she said.