tossed it to Teddy. Teddy caught it and threw it back to him, and so
they played together in the marble hall, tossing the silver ball and
shouting with laughter.

At last Silverling missed the ball, and as it rolled on down the hall he
ran after it, stooping and trying to catch it, but always just missing.
Teddy shouted and clapped his hands, jumping up and down with his bare
feet, and then he stood still watching Silverling as he ran far, far
down the hall.

As he stood thus, suddenly he heard from just around the corner the
cooing of Starlein's doves.

He did not stop a moment, but turning ran around into the next hall, and
there sure enough was Starlein with her doves about her.

"Oh, little boy!" she cried, "I was afraid I had lost you."

But Teddy caught her by the hand. "Come quick!" he cried, "I have found
Silverling."

They ran together into the hall where a moment ago Silverling had been
playing with the silver ball, but it was vacant now; Silverling was
gone.

"Well, I never!" said Teddy. Then he turned to Starlein. "Starlein,
you shouldn't have gone away when I told you not to."

"I didn't," said Starlein. "I stayed right there."