CHAPTER XVII.
THE WHITE DOVE WITH THE GOLD RING.

CAN tell you everything now,” said
Sweet-Content to Buttercup. ‘ Come
with me, and let us walk.”

She took his hand as she spoke
and led him down a shady path,
where lilies of the valley, blue for-
get-me-nots, cherry-pie, verbena and
other beautiful and sweet-smelling
flowers were growing. Buttercup
stopped to admire everything.

‘We used to have these flowers
at home,” he said many times. “ Oh,
is that the cherry-pie? mother was
so fond of it; and is that great tall

shrub really flowering myrtle? The first time I ever saw that I

was sitting on my father’s shoulder—he put a piece in my hand:

I remember it so well. And are those really violets? How is it,

Sweet-Content, that all the flowers seem to grow together here—

the spring flowers and the summer flowers? How is it that they are

all out at the same time?”

“ Because there is no winter in Summer Land,” said Sweet-Content.
“Oh, it is a beautiful, beautiful country! and I only wish that my
playmates would not go away.”

“But do they go away?” asked Buttercup, standing still and
looking earnestly at the little girl. ‘“ Aren’t they quite, quite happy
here? . J am sure I shall be.”