SUMMER LAND. 175

mother (she lives in the Country beyond the Mountains too), and
yet, at the same time, you are different from either my mother
or Primrose. I shall like very much to play with you; and I
hope you will come to meet me to-morrow when I return from
that dreadful Winter Land.”

Sweet-Content took her little companion’s hand, and they
went out into a meadow where a great many flowers grew, and
where the air was both warm and sweet.

At last the happy hour was over, and Sweet-Content took
Buttercup’s hand, and led him down to the edge of the stream.

“Tl look out for you to-morrow,” she said. ‘‘ Kiss me now,
and go. You won't find the time m Winter Land very long or
very terrible when you think of Summer Land and of me.”

“TI was so tired,” said Buttercup, “and you have rested me.”

He set his feet upon the bridge as he spoke and ran swiftly across
it. He felt warm and cheered; he felt also brave and determined to
do what was right; but he had not calculated on the darkness of the
other side, the severe cold, or the harsh high wind which blew against
his cheeks and brought the water into his eyes. He hoped that Mrs.
Patience would be waiting for him. She was not there, however, and
he had to climb up the steep path to Mrs. Discipline’s cottage
alone.

He pushed open the door, and went in.

“Here I am!” he exclaimed. “Oh! how cold—how very cold
ab) 1s7l te

“Come, no grumbling !’’ said Mrs. Discipline, in a sharp voice.
“ Be thankful for the kind way in which you are treated, and turn to
and clean the boots and shoes, and then come and help me to scrub
the pots.”

Mrs. Discipline’s voice was so sharp and cross that Buttercup felt
inclined to answer her back in the same tone; but he suddenly
remembered the look in Sweet-Content’s eyes, and he seemed to feel
again her gentle kiss on his cheek. Somehow or other, without his
knowing it, a tiny bit of her spirit had got down into his heart, and
he was able to reply good-temperedly to the cross old woman, who