not? But I can imagine you have, easily. I always can see things I
imagine, and sometimes they become realities then."

"Heaven forbid!" exclaimed Cheiron. "What would my four legs and my
hoofs do in the little orchard house, and how should I sit in my
armchair?"

Halcyone pealed with merry laughter; her laughs came so rarely and were
like golden bells. The comic side of the picture enchanted her.

"Of course it would only do if we lived in a cave, as the real Cheiron
did," she admitted. "I was silly, was not I?"

"Yes," said Mr. Carlyon, "but I don't think I mind your being so--it is
nice to laugh."

She slipped her thin little hand into his for a moment, and caught hold
of one of his fingers.

"I am so glad you understand that," she said. "How good it is to laugh!
That is what the birds sing to me, it is no use ever to be sad, because
it draws evil and fear to yourself, and even in the winter one must know
there is always the beautiful spring soon coming. Don't you think God is
full of love for this world?"

"I am sure he is."

"The Aunts' God isn't a very kind person," she went on. "But I expect,
since you know about the Greeks, yours and mine are the same."