44, BEYOND THE BLUE MOUNTALNS.

Their little beds were hard and very plain, but they had neither of
them any dreams that night, and awoke strong, refreshed, and full of
happiness, when the sun shone into the room the next day.

Mrs. Modesty gave them each another thimbleful of bread
and milk for breakfast, and they started forward on their journey in
good time.

As they were leaving the house Cowslip stooped down, threw her
arms round Trusty, and kissed him several times.

“ How I do wish I could take you with me!”

“Every child who comes to my cottage makes that remark,” said
Mrs. Modesty. “ But now go on your way, my little darlings. Did
not I tell you that the Beehive was large enough for us all, and
that you would be very happy when once you entered my tiny house ?”

“Happy?” said Clover; “it is the queerest thing, but I never
felt so contented in all my life before. Thank you for making us so
happy, dear Mrs. Modesty. Good-bye, good-bye!”

As they walked down the road, with the morning sun shining full
on their faces, Cowslip could not help saying to Clover, “I don’t know
what the country will be like when we get there, I don’t know what
the King will be like ; but I do know that the journey is very pleasant,
and that except for that one horrible adventure with Bluebell, I have
seldom had a better time than since I started as a traveller to the
Blue Mountains.”

“We are not there yet,’ said Clover, “but I agree with you,
Cowslip, that we are having a splendid time. I feel so strong, too,
since dear Charity gave me this beautiful white dress ; and there is no
longer any reason for us to be afraid, for we have only to use the
magnifying glass to tell us exactly what is the right thing to do.”

The children walked on for some time, and about noon, being very
tired, they sat down by the roadside to have a rest.

“I should like greatly to go to sleep for an hour,” said Cowslip.

** Well, do, darling,” said her brother; “ you can lean your head
on my shoulder, and I will take care of you.”

“ But won’t you sleep, too, Clover? You look quite tired; why
may not we both sleep? No danger can possibly come to us.”