A Day with the Sea Urchins. 65

 

pretty eyes were quite red, and said over and over
again to herself how very very careful she would be
not to do so foolish a thing again.

 

But time was getting on. One of the flying-fish
came in, and announced that the sun was well on his
journey down the western path of the sky. The Queen
made a sign to Jasper to stop the dance, and one by
one the Urchins came up to take leave of her, saying,—

“We thank thee, mighty Queen, for this thy grace ;
Farewell, until again we see thy face.”

To which Aphrodite replied,—

“Fare ye well, dear children, we would fain
Know ye all happy tili we meet again.”

Then she rose from her throne, and taking Jasper’s
F