TWILIGHT LAND

There was no roaring and thundering, there was no
shaking and quaking, there was no toppling and tumbling,
there was no splashing and dashing ; for this island was
solid rock, and was not all enchantment and hollow
inside and underneath, like the other which he had left
behind.

The beautiful statue smiled until the place lit up as
though the sun shone. Down she came from the pedestal
where she stood and kissed Selim the Fisherman on the
lips.

Then instantly the lights blazed everywhere, and the
people shouted and cheered, and the music played. But
neither Selim the Fisherman nor the beautiful statue saw
or heard anything.

“T have done all this for you!” said Selim the Fisher-
man,

. “And I have been waiting for you a thousand years !”
said the beautiful statue—only she was not a statue any
longer.

After that they were married, and Selim the Fisherman
and the enchanted statue became king and queen in real

* earnest.

I think Selim the Fisherman sent for Selim the Baker,
and made him rich and happy—I hope he did—I am sure
he did. :

So, after all, it is not always the lucky one who gathers
the plums when wisdom is by to pick up what the other
shakes down.

I could say more; for, O little children! little children !
there is more than meat in many an egg-shell; and many
a fool tells a story that joggles a wise man’s wits, and

306 .