THE LAND OF THE AFTER-GLOW. 131
Still slowly receding, the spirit replied: —

“Who has courage, beetle brown,
And a kind heart, then he may
To the After-glow go down,
And seek the little man in gray.”

As the spirit of the dell spoke the last
words, merely a column of mist was seen in the
distance, and in a moment more that too was
gone.

“What shall I do? How can I ever find
him?” moaned the poor little beetle.

“Whoo! Whoo!” shouted a large owl close
at hand.

“Why, the little man in gray,” replied the
brown beetle. “ The spirit of the dell told me
to seek him in the land of the After-glow.
Canst thou tell me where it is?”

“Never heard of the place,” said the owl.
“ But I know who can tell thee, if there really
is such a place, which I very much doubt.”

“Oh! tell me,” cried the brown beetle
quickly, “who can direct me?”

“My cousin, Judge Owl,” replied the owl.
“ He is very wise, and knows by heart all the
‘Laws of the Woods.’”