"'He will not like me,' said the sorry man, 'because nobody does.'
"'I do,' replied the child; and at her tone the man's heart swelled a little more.
"'There is water in my eyes,' he said, as if to himself. 'What does that mean?'
"'It will make you see better,' replied the child. 'It is the kind of water that softens the heart, and that always improves the sight.'
"'Be it so, then. Perhaps I can better see the way; but the road is full of perils innumerable, child. Have you found some other path?'
"'There is but one,' replied Purity.
"'So the roc said,' declared the man. 'How did you pass the dragon?'
"The child looked up wonderingly. 'I saw no dragon,' she answered.
"The man stared at her. 'There are pitfalls and obstacles innumerable,' he repeated, 'and an ever-wakeful dragon. You passed it in the night, perhaps, and were too small to be observed.'