CHAPTER I.

MRS. STEADFAST.

HE dew was on the grass, and the exquisite
feeling of early morning was over everything,
when the two children walked down the path
which led straight to the Blue Mountains.

They both felt fresh and well, and, not-
withstanding their sorrow at leaving Prim-
rose and Buttercup behind them, could not
help singing as they went.

“Fancy the joy of seeing father and
mother so soon again,’ exclaimed Cowslip
in a cheerful tone. “Oh, how glad I am
that the summons has come for us to go to
the King’s country, although I do wish that
the others would come with us.”

“They will follow in good time,” replied
Clover. “ That is the thought that comforts
me. And now let us walk as quickly as we
can, Cowslip, for by-and-by the day will be
very hot; the dew will have all dried up,
and we shall be so tired we shall find it

= impossible to make any progress at all.”

The path on which the children walked was quite plainly

discernible, even amidst the long wet grass, and they had little

difficulty in following it.
After two or three hours, the heat which Clover spoke of became
intensely great, and Cowslip wanted to sit down and rest.