In the meantime the forest had become glorious with the heat and light
of the ascending sun. The waking noises of the birds had given place
to the business of being boldly active. And the children, with a
common impulse, would have resumed their journey. But just at that
moment a traveler was seen to be approaching.

It was Everychild who went forward to salute the traveler, who proved
to be a boy with hanging head and lagging feet. His hands were thrust
into his pockets and there were tear-stains on his cheeks.

"Good morning," said Everychild.

"Don't bother me," said the boy. "I'm running away."

"I didn't see you run," said Everychild.

The boy stopped and looked at Everychild reproachfully. "It's called
running away," he said; "though everybody knows you don't run, and for
that matter, there's no _away_ about it. Mostly you turn around and go
back. But I call it running away just the same. It takes a load off
my mind."

"I know how it is," declared Everychild. "My friends and I have taken
to the road, too; and if you like, you may join us."

The boy thought this over a moment; and at length he said, "I'll do it.
I'll not get any further away, being with others, and it'll not be any
harder to go back, when I weaken. I'm ready to join you now, only it
might look better if I just drop in on my mother for a minute to tell