‘Oh!’ gasped Nancy, following it with keen reality; ‘you’ll tumble!’

’I don’t; it’s like putting your foot in cotton wool.  I go up—­I have to go quite by myself, but the angel comes behind, to see I don’t fall.  And then he says, “Look up; don’t you see the gates?” And then I look, and I see them—­shining gold gates, very big, and covered with jewels like Mrs. Graham wears on her fingers.  I go up and up, and then I’m there.’

‘Is that all?’

’Why, that’s just the beginning.  I’m only outside.  The gates are shut, but when they see me coming, two more angels come and swing them wide open, and I’m feeling rather frightened, but I walk in.  There’s a long wide street made like the gates, and I walk very carefully, for fear of slipping down, then I see a lot of angels coming along with trumpets, and then they go first and begin to play like the soldiers’ band.  I march on to a very, very, very big door, and there on the steps leading up stands my Captain.’

Teddy paused.  ’I can’t tell you what He’s like, but I feel what He’s like myself.  Such a loving, kind face, and He puts His hand on my head and says, “Well done, Teddy!” And then I take hold of His hand, and I think I cry.’

Matter-of-fact Nancy sees with surprise that Teddy’s eyes are filling with tears at the thought.

He went on softly, ’I think He takes me up in His arms then, because I’m very tired, and He carries me into the most beautiful garden you ever saw in your life, and He takes me to father, who is waiting there.’

‘Tell me what the garden’s like.’

Teddy does not speak; he is full of the meeting with his father, and Nancy waits a little impatiently.

‘The garden is lovely,’ he said at last, drawing in a breath of delight at the thought.  ’It’s always sunny and warm, the grass is very soft and green, and there’s every flower in the world all bunched up together.  The seats are made of roses, and if you want to go to sleep, the pillows are made up of violets; there’s a beautiful river, and trees full of apples and oranges, and plums and pears; the banks are red—­they’re made of strawberries.’

‘Oh,’ gasped Nancy, ‘how lovely!’

’There are summer-houses, and little white boats to row on the river, and gold harps hanging up on the trees; and then I think, I hope, there are lots of dogs running about, and then you can ride all day on lions, and tigers, and bears, and they won’t bite you, but lick your hands.’

‘Go on.  What else?’

’Then we stand up and sing hymns when my Captain comes by, and we play on the harps, and blow the trumpets as much as ever we like.  I think my Captain sometimes comes and sits down and talks to us and tells us stories.’

There was silence; then Nancy said, ‘Is that all?’

‘That’s enough for you,’ said Teddy, a little condescendingly.  ’I think and make believe a lot more.’

‘I want to go to heaven,’ Nancy said thoughtfully.