184 BEYOND THE BLUE MOUNTAINS.

“ Don’t you know where he comes from? He is the son of the
King of the Country beyond the Blue Mountains. I don’t exactly
know what day he will come, but I know it will be very soon. Itisa
very delightful and avery beautiful day when he comes. All our hearts
go out to him, and the hearts of some go out to him so completely
that he takes them away with him. Lvery year he takes my nicest
playmates away. Oh, Buttercup! it is the only sorrow which has to
be borne in Summer Land.”

“You must not think of it, Sweet-Content,” said Buttercup. ‘‘ Tell
me everything you like about the Prince, but don’t tell me the part that
makes you sad. How lovely it will be to have the birds in Summer
Land! Iam glad Rose-Bloom thought of asking for the birds.”

“Yes, it will be lovely,” said Sweet-Content. “I used to have a
bullfinch at home. I was so fond of him. Oh, he was a darling!
Do you know, Buttercup, that the Prince not only brings the things
the children wish, but he brings one special gift to each child in
Summer Land when he comes? He gave me white clematis last year.
I had a little bower of my own, and when I went to it I found it
covered with white clematis, and that dear flower has bloomed there
ever since. Rose-Bloom had a rose-tree in a pot. When she opened
her eyes in the morning it was standing by the foot of her bed. The
Prince does that every year; he brings a gift to Summer Land
generally, and he brings a special gift also to each child.”

“ He will bring us a bird each this time,” said Buttercup. ‘‘ How
jolly that will be! I am so fond of the robins—I wonder what bird he
will bring to me?”

“ Last year,” said Sweet-Content, “he brought white roses to some
of the children. Hach child who got a white rose went with him when
he went. Oh, Buttercup! don’t let us talk of it; let us run and play
together. Let us forget the only sorrow which can visit Summer
Land.”

Sweet-Content took her little companion’s hand as she spoke, and
they ran out into a meadow where other children were playing.

They were all kind and affectionate to Buttereup—they let him.
share their toys and join in their games, and no one quarrelled and no