THE GOLDEN-ROD AND ASTER 
347 
russet and red, or fell with sharp thuds to the sod below. 
Everywhere was the late summer sunshine. At length the 
children passed the brook and the oak grove and the 
orchard lands, and came in sight of the tiny old hut where 
the witch lived. In the doorway sat the old woman; and 
about her the squirrels played and the flowers bloomed. 
“What do you wish?” asked she, looking up kindly at 
Golden Hair and Blue Eyes. 
It was brave little Blue Eyes who spoke; while Golden 
Hair shily hung her head until the curls covered her face. 
“We have heard,” said Blue Eyes, “that you are very 
wise and very powerful, and can do wonderful things. Is 
it true that you can change rabbits into frogs and birds 
into fishes and little boys and girls into whatsoever you 
wish?” 
“ And if it were true,” said the old woman, quite gently, 
“ what would you like me to do ? Do you wish me to 
change a bird into a fish or a rabbit into a frog?” 
“ Oh, no,” cried Golden Hair, at last looking up. “ In- 
deed we did not come to see that. We came to ask you 
how we may do much good.” 
“We would like to become a pleasure and a joy to 
everyone who meets us,” said little Blue Eyes. 
“Ah,” said the old woman, “then you shall indeed 
have your wish. But first stay awhile and play in my 
garden. When the sun sets you may set out down the 
hill.” 
So all that long golden afternoon the children played 
in the old woman^s wonderful garden. When the sun set 
she kissed them both, and herself led them part way down 
the hill-side. 
“You shall have your wish,” she said; “you shall be- 
come a pleasure and a joy to everyone who meets you!” 
The next morning on the hill-side two flowers were 
found, growing side by side. One was fluffy and soft and 
yellow as the curls which fell over the cheeks of little 
Golden Hair. The other blossom was bright and purple, 
and looked bravely and fearlessly out on the world and 
. sunshine, like the blue eyes of the other little girl. 
You may still find the little girls climbing the hills side 
by side. They bring pleasure and joy to all who meet 
them. You may call the sisters little Golden Hair and 
