THE WHITH DOVE WITH THE GOLD RING. 189

of happiness, whose eyes looked wistful and yet glad, and on whose
shoulder a white dove sat, who cooed and cooed.

He was just going to mention this to one of his companions, when
Sweet-Content, against whose pretty cheek a little robin red-breast
nestled, came running out, singing as she came.

“Oh, Sweet-Content!” exclaimed Buttercup, “the Prince—the
Prince has really come; he has brought the birds. Sweet-Content,
darling, why do you look at me like that? Mave I made you un-
happy? aren’t you glad—as glad as lam? What is the matter with
you ?>—why have you tears in your eyes?”

“ Because my playmates go away,” said Sweet-Content. “ Because
the playmate I love best in all the world is going away.”

“What do you mean? What can you possibly mean?”

“The Prince has brought you a white dove with a gold ring round
its neck. That is a sign that you are to go with him to the country
beyond the Blue Mountains. He has sent a white dove to other
children also, and they will all go away with him when he goes. Last
year he sent white roses to the children who were to go with him—
this year he has sent white doves.”

“Coo, coo!” sighed the dove on Buttercup’s shoulder, in the
softest of whispers.

“The Prince is coming!” shouted some voices in the distance.
“Let us all go to meet the Prince.” Buttercup caught hold of Sweet-
Content’s hand, and drew it inside his arm.»

‘“Why don’t you come too?” he exclaimed. “Why don’t you
come to the country beyond the Blue Mountains? This home is
lovely, but that country is better. Why don’t you come?”

“Some day I shall come,” replied Sweet-Content, “but I have a
great deal to do in Summer Land first. Kiss me once, Buttercup :
kiss me once before you go to meet the Prince.”

Sweet-Content threw her arms round her little companion’s neck,
and then, side by side, they went down the walk in the train of many
other children who were going to meet the Prince.

The Prince was like no one else. It would be difficult to describe
him, for no one has ever lived in this world who exactly resembled