“I know a faster way to go than this,” said the little girl.
“Do you?”
“Yes, I do. Let go of my hand, and I’ll show you.” She drew her hand away from Teddy, and very slowly she leaned back against the air as though it were a pillow, then she gave herself a little push with her feet, and away she floated so lightly and easily that Teddy could hardly keep up with her.
“Oh, Ellen!” cried Teddy, “will you teach me to do that?”
“Yes, I will,” said Ellen. So she stood up and showed Teddy how to take a long breath, and how to push himself, and then he found he could do it quite well, and when Ellen began to float too, they could go along together hand in hand just as they had before.
Suddenly a thought crossed Teddy’s mind, and he cried, “Why, Ellen, I thought you were lame!”
“So I am,” said the little girl.
“But you can run and float.”
“Yes, I know, but that’s because I’m dreaming.”
“Why, no, Ellen, you can’t be dreaming,” said Teddy, “for I’m here too.”