106 THE PARADISE OF CHILDREN.

A sweet little voice spoke from within, —

“Only litt the lid, and you shall see.”

“No, no,” answered Pandora, again beginning to sob,
“T have had enough of lifting the lid! You are inside
of the box, naughty creature, and there you shall stay!
There are plenty of your ugly brothers and sisters al-
ready flying about the world. You need never think
“that I shall be so foolish as to let you out!”

She looked towards Epimetheus, as she spoke, perhaps
expecting that he would commend her for her wisdom.
But the sullen boy only muttered that she was wise a
little too late.

“Ah,” said the sweet little voice again, “ you had
much better let me out. I am not like those naughty
creatures that have stings in their tails. They are no
brothers and sisters of mine, as you would see at once,
if you were only to get a glimpse of me. Come, come,
my pretty Pandora! I am sure you will let me out !”

And, indeed, there was a kind of cheerful witchery in
the tone, that made it almost impossible to refuse any-
thing which this little voice asked. Pandora’s heart had
insensibly grown lighter, at every word that came from
within the box. Hpimetheus, too, though still in the
corner, had turned half round, and seemed to be in
rather better spirits than before.

‘““My dear Epimetheus,” cried Pandora, “have you
heard this little voice? ” —

“Yes, to be sure I have,” answered he, but in no
very good-humor as yet. ‘And what of it?”

“Shall I lift the lid again?” asked Pandora.