“The price!” exclaimed Coppertop, her face falling.
“Yep! Everything has a price in this world, dearie! Nothing is given away. We must earn everything that is worth having, and then we know how to value it. I guess you’ve pretty well earned your wish by now, and there’s only one thing more to do——”
“Oh, do say!” cried Coppertop, anxiously.
“Well, you must kiss Biddy-be-sure, or the Blarney Stone, and then the December day will be yours.” And, without any more explanation, the North Wind blew by.
For some time after his departure the children remained silent; they were decidedly disappointed, for the December day seemed as far off as ever.
“Why, the Blarney Stone is on Blarney Castle!” said Tibbs.
“And where’s that?” asked Coppertop.
“Right away over in the Emerald Isle! It’s an awfully long way from here!”
“However shall we get there,” cried Coppertop, hopelessly, “now that I haven’t any wings?”
“Keep smiling!” replied the small voice of Smiler—the Camel-without-the-Hump—who now hung by a string round Coppertop’s neck.