TEARS OF PEARLS 299

him, but which path to take he knew not. Turning to the
cemetery where his parents lay side by side, he wept and
prayed, kissed the earth that covered them three times, and
set off on his travels.

At that moment he felt something hard in the folds of his
tunic, and pressing on his heart. Wondering what it could
be, he put in his hand and drew thence a charming portrait
of his dearly loved sister, surrounded with pearls, roses, and
gold-fish. So great was his astonishment he could hardly
believe his eyes. But he was very happy, and kissed the
picture over and over again ; then, with one more look at the
cemetery, he made the sign of the cross and departed.

Now a beautiful story is soon told, but the acts of which
it is the sum pass more slowly.

After many adventures of little importance he reached the
capital of a kingdom by the sea, and there obtained the post
of under-gardener at the royal palace, with good food and
wages,

In his prosperity he did not forget his unhappy sister, for
he felt very uneasy about her. When he had a few moments
to himself he would sit down in some retired spot and gaze
upon her portrait with a sad heart and eyes filled with tears.
For the picture was a faithful likeness of her, and he looked
upon it as a gift from his parents.

Now the king had noticed this habit of his, and one day
while he sat by a stream looking at the picture he came quietly
behind him, and glanced over his shoulder to see what he was
so attentively regarding.

“Give me that portrait,” said the monarch.

The boy handed it him. The king examined it closely,