PROSERPINA 129 



He pointed out the veins of gold, and the 

 bright quartz crystals. 



He showed her tons of diamonds, and told 

 her that all these things should be hers. 



But this did not make her happy. She 

 thought only of her dear mother. 



After a while they came to the river Lethe. 

 Its waters were black and still. 



Pluto told the child, that if she would drink 

 a few drops of the water, she would forget her 

 sorrow. 



But Proserpine did not want to forget her 

 mother, and cried harder than ever. 



At last they reached the king's palace. 



Dinner was set before them, but Proserpine 

 would not taste it. 



She knew that those who ate anything in 

 Hades must stay there forever. 



Every day after this some new and delicious 

 dish was cooked for her, but all in vain. 



For six long months Proserpine ate nothing. 



