Silverling shook his head sadly. “I know how it would be,” he said. “I’ve been hunting for her ever since we quarrelled, but I can’t find her, and I can’t find the way into the garden of the singing fountain either.”
“What did you quarrel about?” asked Teddy.
“We quarrelled about this,” said the little boy, touching a slender golden chain that hung around his neck. “We found it in the garden and we quarrelled about who should wear it, but I’d be so glad to give it to Starlein now if she would only come back again.”
“Well, wait!” said Teddy. “She can’t be far away and I’ll go and find her.”
“No, no!” cried Silverling. “You can’t find her, and I’ll lose you too. Stay here awhile, little boy, and play with me, for I’m very lonely. Look! Let’s play with my silver ball,” and taking it from his pocket he tossed it to Teddy. Teddy caught it and threw it back to him, and so they played together in the marble hall, tossing the silver ball and shouting with laughter.
At last Silverling missed the ball, and as it rolled on down the hall he ran after it, stooping and trying to catch it, but always just missing. Teddy shouted and clapped his hands, jumping up and down with his bare feet, and then he stood still watching Silverling as he ran far, far down the hall.
As he stood thus, suddenly he heard from just around the corner the cooing of Starlein’s doves.
He did not stop a moment, but turning ran around into the next hall, and there sure enough was Starlein with her doves about her.
“Oh, little boy!” she cried, “I was afraid I had lost you.”
But Teddy caught her by the hand. “Come quick!” he cried, “I have found Silverling.”