92 THE PARADISE OF CHILDREN.

“You might open it,” said Pandora, looking sideways
at, Epimetheus, “and then we could see for ourselves.” ©
“Pandora, what are you thinking of? ”’ exclaimed Epi-
metheus. |

And his face expressed so much horror at the idea
of looking into a box, which had been confided to him
on the condition of his never opening it, that Pandora
thought it best not to suggest it any more. Still, how-
ever, she could not help thinking and talking about the
box.

“ At least,” said she, “you can tell me how it came
here.”

“Tt was left at the door,” replied Epimetheus, “ just
before. you came, by a person who looked very smiling
and intelligent, and who could hardly forbear laughing
as he put it down. He was dressed in an odd kind of a
cloak, and had on a cap that seemed to be made partly
of feathers, so that it looked almost as if it had wings.”

‘What sort of a staff had he ? ” asked Pandora.
- QO, the most curious staff you ever saw!”
Epimetheus. “It was like two serpents twisting around
a stick, and was carved so naturally that I, at first,
thought the serpents were alive.” | |

“T know him,” saidpPandora, thoughtfully. “ No-
body else has such a staff. It was Quicksilver; and he
brought me hither, as well as the box. No doubt he
intended it for me; and, most. probably, it contains pretty
dresses for me to wear, or toys for you and me to play
with, or something very nice for us both to eat!”

‘Perhaps so,’ answered Epimetheus, turning away.

‘cried