SUMMER LAND. 177

“Some day, perhaps,” replied Mrs. Discipline, with a look of
displeasure, mixed with pain, crossing her face: “that is, if he does
not get too small first. here go, little Buttercup; you have
nothing more to do with me. Kiss me as you once kissed my father,
and go.”

Buttercup raised his chubby lips to Mrs. Discipline’s rough cheek.
He did not enjoy the kiss, for he could not bring himself to love this
stern old woman; but after he had given it he felt somehow as if he
had taken a strong tonic, which put great life and vigour into him;
then he followed Mrs. Patience out of the cottage, and down the bank
to the river.

“T don’t see the bridge,” he exclaimed suddenly.

“No, my dear little boy,” replied Mrs. Patience ; “for those who
eross this river for the last time there is no bridge—you must go
through the flood on foot. You will be perfectly safe, and as you are
never coming back a little extra wetting can’t hurt you. Leave the
dirty clothes you wore in Winter Land with me, and put on this
long white shirt. Fear nothing, Buttercup; you have had a rather
bad time of it—you have been weak, naughty, and disobedient-—you
have seen Mr. Penalty, and you have kissed his rod—you have lived
with Mrs. Discipline and you have obeyed her stern commands—you
have had something to do with me, and you have learnt the lesson I
wished to teach you. Now you are to go into Summer Land by the
King’s orders, and you are never coming back. Good-bye, Buttercup.
How happy your mother will be to see you again! How glad your
brave and noble sister will feel when she kisses your dear little face!
Good-bye, my child, good-bye!”

“But I’m afraid,’ said Buttercup. “I don’t like to plunge
into that deep water—I would much rather cross on the bridge.”

“Tf you use the bridge you must come back again. If you
go through the flood on foot you need never return. Have courage,
my child—don’t fear the last trial to which you are to be put.
You have nothing to dread—the water won’t feel cold or deep
when once you are in it.”

So Buttercup went down to the edge of the deep stream, and,

L