THE MERRY GREENWOOD 123 



by you will not be able to see one, even though 

 you try — worse still, you will not care. Only 

 children are wise enough to know." 



"Then give me the heart of a child, for you 

 I will never forget, nor my promise to save 

 the forest. I swear it on the oak: I will be 

 true." 



**Nay, do not swear it on the oak," said she, 

 **for the oak will fall. Give me your hand 

 across the spring." 



So he bared his head and knelt among the 

 ferns— but he found himself alone— alone in 

 the vast stillness of the forest. 



''You were only a dream after all!" he 

 breathed, though her eyes were blue in the 

 shadow. 



Then he shook off the spell of the beautiful 

 solitude. 



''Away with dreams," laughed he, ''for life 

 is real I" 



^ And gripping his carpetbag, he strode down 

 the path beside the stream, out into the world, 

 where he became a great man. 



The laurel blossomed around the spring. 



