"I saw in my dream a lovely valley. The mountains on either side were grand and picturesque. The rocks, ferns, and trees filled the eye with beauty and freshness. I heard the sound of splashing water, and turning round to see where it came from, I perceived a waterfall, and by the side of it a boy, stooping to drink of the clear stream.
"'This is an exquisite spot,' I said to him; and he raised his eyes and looked at me surprised.
"'Do you not like it?' I asked.
"'I do not care about it,' he said, sighing; and turning rather abruptly, he walked on.
"I noticed in my dream that he appeared not to be as straight and beautiful as I had first thought; for his back seemed misshapen, and I wondered if that was why he looked so sad.
"Just at this moment a little girl came in sight leading a baby-child. She was pulling it along roughly, and every now and then she gave it a little shake. 'What a plague you are,' she said angrily; 'I wish I could do anything else but lead you.'
"The child sobbed and moaned, and then began pushing away the hand that so rudely hurt it. 'I am tired,' it said wearily, 'and I can't get along. Why do you pull me so, sister?'
"The girl moved vexedly, and as she moved, I saw that she too seemed to have something on her shoulders under her dress.
"'What can it be?' I thought.
"A young woman now appeared, and besides the baby on her bosom, I saw she too had a burden to carry.