70 BEYOND THE BLUE MOUNTAINS.

“ May I kiss you before you go?” asked Cowslip.

“Yes,” he answered.

He stooped down and kissed the little girl on her cheek.

“Shall I never see you again?” she asked.

“Some time,” he replied, “some time in the distant ages, perhaps
—who can tell?—when all the children have crossed the bridge and
climbed the mountain; but I cannot tell you when that will be, little
girl. You will not miss me, for a heart quite full up to the brim with
happiness does not need anything more. Farewell. Fareweil, Clover.
The King has put into your heart a great courage, my boy, and I
have no doubt he will have special work for you to do for him in his
own country.”

The next moment the Guide had gone.

Neither of the children saw him go. He seemed to vanish from
before their eyes likea puff of smoke. They turned and looked at one
another. Then hand in hand they went up to the gates.

Those gates have often been spoken of as golden, and with the sun
shining full on them they seemed to dazzle the children’s happy eyes.
As they approached them they heard music inside, and very sweet
laughter, and joyous footsteps; and faces that they seemed to know
looked out at them, and hands that they seemed to remember began
to beckon to them.

And then the gates opened wide, and they went in, and the gates
were closed.