“‘There is magic,’ he replied, ‘and I cannot cross the bracken unless you lead me by the hand.’
“So the Princess stepped through the high fern-fronds, and when she held the hand of the Prince he kissed her. At his kiss a wind arose and the branches of the trees waved to and fro. The birds twittered uneasily, and there was a sound like thunder and falling rain. Then, as hurrying shadows, the trees vanished. The Prince and the Princess could no longer see the birds, but they heard the fluttering of their wings overhead.
“There was a sudden lightning flash that made the Prince and Princess close their eyes.
“When they opened them again they were no longer in the wood, but in a room with a cheerful fire and a lighted lamp. The Princess had lost her gossamer robe; she wore a blue serge frock and a white apron. The Prince had on a blue jersey with a name on the front. They stood in the little room hand in hand.
“‘I am no longer alone,’ said the Princess, and smiled.
“‘Let us unlock the door,’ said the Prince, ‘then perhaps a little child will come in.’
“So they drew back the bolt and waited!”
Tommy wriggled his hot hand from the clasp of Miss Lavinia’s thin fingers. “My Mammy’ll be missin’ me,” he said, and struggled to his feet. Then the clock struck seven.
Five minutes later twenty little people, in coats and mufflers, kissed Miss Lavinia and ran out laughing into the winter night.
Miss Lavinia closed the door behind them and returned to the firelight alone.