74 Lily and Water-Lily.

 

“Yes,” the mouse replied. “The plant that you
picked yesterday was poison, but the white lily is
a healing plant, and can cure many ills and many
hurts. I thought it would cure you.”

Pearl was silent. “It was very kind of you to
want me to be well again,” she said at last; “but I
don’t think you ought to have picked the white lily.”

“The white lily begged me to pick him,” answered
the mouse. “It wanted to see if it could not make
you well.”

“Ah! if it can only make you well, Pearl,” cried
Ruby, “never mind even if it sole die! Itis better
that the lily should die than you.”

Pearl lay still with a puzzled look on her face.
“TI should like to be well, Ruby,” said she at last;
“but I do mind that the lily should die. I mind
very much, This morning, I know, I wanted to
pick the white lily myself. I thought only of how
pretty it was. But now that I know how sweet it is,
I don’t want it to die. I like it much better than the
tiger-lily, who seemed so beautiful. I want it to live.”