“The fairy spread her wings over the young couple, saying, ‘Behold the reward of unselfishness!’ and vanished, leaving them in all their bliss.”
Millie’s story was greeted with shouts of applause and flattering comments.
The boys were about renewing the fire, when Miss Walters announced that it was seven o’clock.
“O, don’t go yet!” shouted Phil from the wood-pile. “We’ve wood enough for an hour yet. Seven o’clock’s awful early.”
“Don’t go, don’t go!” came from a chorus of voices; and Miss Walters, who only cared for their comfort, said she would stay if that was the general wish, or would go with any of the girls that were in haste to get home. No one made any movement to go, and she was quietly led back to her throne on the hay, at the entrance of the cave.
A song was proposed, and Miss W. led them in the sweet words of “In the Beauty of the Lilies,” the boys coming out strong with the chorus. Then two girls sang a duet very sweetly. Another hour glided swiftly away, when Miss Walters said, “Phil, your fire burns low; push the blazing ends for a final blaze, so we may get all our things; for we must go now.”
Everything arranged, they bade good by to the hospitable cave, then marched down the hill, the boys whistling “When Johnny comes marching Home.”
On they trudged, dropping various members of their little party as they turned off to go to their homes. All agreed they had had a delightful day.
F. E. S.