"No, we can't possibly," said Tyltyl firmly; "I promised Light!"
And he hurried to take up the precious cage.
"Good-bye, Grandad.... Good-bye, Granny.... Good-bye, brothers and sisters, Pierrot, Robert, Pauline, Madeleine, Riquette and you, too, Kiki.... We can't stay.... Don't cry, Granny; we will come back often!"
Poor old Grandad was very much upset and complained lustily:
"Gracious me, how tiresome the Living are, with all their fuss and excitement!"
Tyltyl tried to console him and again promised to come back very often.
"Come back every day!" said Granny. "It is our only pleasure; and it's such a treat for us when your thoughts pay us a visit!"
"Good-bye! Good-bye!" cried the brothers and sisters in chorus. "Come back very soon! Bring us some barley sugar!"
There were more kisses; all waved their handkerchiefs; all shouted a last good-bye. But the figures began to fade away; the little voices could no longer be heard; the two Children were once more wrapped in mist; and the old forest covered them with its great dark mantle.
"I'm so frightened!" whimpered Mytyl. "Give me your hand, little brother! I'm so frightened!"