48 BEYOND THE BLUE MOUNTAINS.

“Then I did hear something,” exclaimed Cowslip. “ But what
a pity that we both slept. Oh, dear, dear Clover, don’t look like that.
You see, although you have lost the map and that tiresome glass of
Faith’s, here are directions on this stile: ‘Short cut to the Blue
Mountains.’ Read the words for yourself, Clover.”

“Yes,” said Clover, “I do read them, but I mistrust them. I am
quite sure that pleasant meadow will lead us far away from the
Mountains.”

«But not when the words are: ‘A short cut to the Mountains,’ ”
said Cowslip, her voice sounding very cross and tired.

«Yes, I am certain we must not go that way,” said Clover. “ I
did very, very wrong to sleep, and I am punished now, as I have not
got my glass, but don’t let us do any more wrong things, Cowslip.
Don’t let us go down that path.”

“ Down?” said Cowslip, “ but it looks perfectly flat.”

“Tt is at first,’ answered her brother, “but see where it winds
all along that valley. We must remember, Cowslip darling, that the
way to the King’s country is all uphill. There is no use whatever
in our going downhill.”

Cowslip began to cry, but Clover, whose heart was very sad at
the loss of his glass and his map, was firm, and nothing she could
say would persuade him to take the short cut.

“No,” he said, “no; I did wrong already, but I don’t intend to
go on doing wrong. I will not cross that stile, Cowslip. Now,
darling, take my hand. This rough road is at any rate in the night
direction, and, perhaps, when we get to one of the inns we may meet
someone who will give me another glass and another map. Come on
quickly now or the night will overtake us.”

So the children passed by the stile. As they did so they heard
some mocking laughter, which sounded as if it came from other
children’s voices. When Cowslip heard this she gave Clover her hand
and began to walk up the steep path very fast.