COMPANION
Modesty left his mistress to fare forth into the world alone. But, turning in his flight, he saw someone at his heels.
In despair, Modesty sought still another mistress and this mistress one night he likewise left to fare forth into the world alone. But, turning in his flight, he saw again someone at his heels.
Modesty, sitting sadly on a rock by the wayside, realized then that his wish for a lonely adventure was never to be fulfilled. For he must always, when he sallied forth from his mistress, take with him his mistress' lover.
XXVIII
THE GOOD FAIRY
A fairy, in the form of a beautiful woman, came to a young man and whispered, "One wish will I grant you."
The young man gazed into the deep eyes of the beautiful woman and, with thoughts playing upon her rare loveliness, breathed, "I wish for perfect happiness for all time!"