THE GORGON’S HEAD. 97

no longer felt the slightest weariness. In fact, the stick
seemed to be alive in his hand, and to lend some of its
life to Perseus. He and Quicksilver now walked onward
at their ease, talking very sociably together; and Quick-
silver told so many pleasant stories about his former ad-
ventures, and how well his wits had served him on vari-
ous occasions, that Perseus began to think him a very
wonderful person. He evidently knew the world; and
nobody is so charming to a young man as a friend who
has that kind of knowledge. Perseus listened the more
eagerly, in the hope of brightening his own wits by what
he heard.

At last, he happened to recollect that Quicksilver had
spoken of a sister, who was to lend her assistance in the
adventure which they were now bound upon.

“Where is she?” he inquired. ‘Shall we not meet
her soon ?”

“All at the proper time,” said his companion. ‘“‘ But
tlus sister of mine, you must understand, is quite a dif-
ferent sort of character from myself. She is very grave
and prudent, seldom smiles, never laughs, and makes it a
rule not to utter a word unless she has something par-
ticularly profound to say. Neither will she listen to any
but the wisest conversation.”

“Dear me!” ejaculated Perseus ; “I shall be afraid
to say a syllable.”

“She is a very accomplished person, I assure you,”
continued Quicksilver, “ and has all the arts and sciences
at her fingers’ ends. In short, she is so immoderately
wise, that many people call her wisdom personified. But,