The Lost Idea 27

had lost his Idea so long ago, and sobbed.
He happened to. put his hand on the
grass, and it felt something under it. He
leaped up with a shout. He hugged the
little thing to his breast and nearly choked
with joy, and it was several minutes before
he could summon up courage to look at it;
and when he did, he let it drop and hid his
face in his thin hands and moaned. It was
not brilliant in the least! It was as dull as
ditch-water, and very, very small. That
Idea which he had believed so great and
splendid was only—‘‘ J think I had better go
home to tea!”

Then Timothy turned away and ce
home; and when his wife returned “
from her hard day’s work, there was
Timothy sitting on his stool, work-
ing hard at a boot. And now ,
he’s the King’s Bootmaker, liv- v
ing in a beautiful house next
door to the palace; and he
and his wife and his children :
are the plumpest and merriest people in ae
whole city.