that the Leaves and the Sky were true and real only in his thoughts;
because in the mind alone the picture was permanent and enduring,
and could be carried with him whithersoever he went.

This she said to the Child; but she immediately warned him to
return, for the leaves were already beating the tattoo in the
evening breeze, and the lights were disappearing one by one in every
corner. Then the Child confessed to her with alarm that he knew not
how he should find the way back, and that he feared the dark night
would overtake him if he attempted to go home alone; so the Dragon-
fly flew on before him, and showed him a cave in the rock where he
might pass the night.

And the Child was well content; for he had often wished to try if he
could sleep out of his accustomed bed.



CHAPTER VIII.



But the Dragon-fly was fleet, and gratitude strengthened her wings
to pay her host the honour she owed him. And truly, in the dim
twilight good counsel and guidance were scarce. She flitted hither
and thither without knowing rightly what was to be done; when, by
the last vanishing sunbeam, she saw hanging on the edge of the cave
some strawberries who had drunk so deep of the evening-red, that
their heads were quite heavy. Then she flew up to a Harebell who
stood near, and whispered in her ear that the lord and king of all