Shortly after, Mrs. Gordon came in to make a call on Mrs. Davenport.
She proved a very lovable woman, and won the hearts of both Beth and
her mother immediately.

The accident was related to her. She drew Julia to her side and said:

"Daughter, you really must be more careful. What would mamma do if
anything happened to her little girl? Never again try walking in the
river on stilts."

Both Julia and Beth immediately experienced a sinking of the heart.
Her words reminded them that their beloved stilts had not been rescued
from the river. Julia ran towards the door.

"Daughter, where are you going?"

"After my stilts. They're in the river."

"Leave them there. You've had enough of stilts." And remain in the
river they did, although the girls pleaded very hard to get them.

Julia was asked to stay all night, and her mother consented, taking her
departure alone.

"Julia," said Beth, "I must tell you about a dream I had the night of
the fire. It was about stilts that reached up to the clouds, and I
walked on them. Then I began to fly. Oh, it was lovely. I wish we
could really fly."

"So do I. I believe we could if we tried. Let's try. We'll go up on