“‘All right,’ said Purity, ’I’ll go and stand right in front of that tree until you get ’way out of the woods, and then I’ll run and catch up with you.’

“The man stooped down and put his arms around the girl just as lovingly as if she was his own little grandchild.

“‘I can’t do that,’ he said; ’I’d rather the dragon would eat me up than you.  You run, Purity, and I’ll stay; and when he tries to catch you, I’ll throw myself in front of him.  But kiss me once, dear, because we’ve been very happy together.’

“Purity kissed him over and over again because she was so happy about his goodness, and she saw the tears in his eyes, that are the kind that make people see better.  She knew what the man was going to see when he stood up again.”

The story-teller paused a moment, but no one spoke, although she looked at each one questioningly; so she continued:—­

“Well, he was the most surprised man when he got up and looked around.

“‘The dragon has gone!’ he said.

“‘No, he hasn’t,’ said Purity, and she just hopped up and down, she was so glad.  ‘He hasn’t gone, because he wasn’t there!’

“‘He isn’t there!’ said the man, over and over.  ‘He isn’t there!’ and he looked so happy—­oh, as happy as if it was his birthday or something.

“So they walked along out into the sunshine again, and sweeter flowers than ever were growing all around them, and a bird that was near began singing a new song that the man had never heard.

“There was a lovely green mountain ahead of them now.  ‘Purity,’ said the man, for something suddenly came into his head, ’is this the Heavenly Country?’

“‘Yes,’ said Purity, and she clapped her hands for joy because the man knew it was.

“They walked along and the bird’s notes were louder and sweeter.  ’I think, said the man softly, ’I think he is singing the song of true delight.’

“‘He is,’ said Purity.

“So, when they had walked a little farther still, they began to see a splendid castle at the foot of the mountain.

“‘Oh,’ said the man, just as happily as anything, ’is that home at last!’

“‘Yes,’ said Purity, ‘it is the Castle of True Delight.’

“The man felt young and strong and he walked so fast the little girl had to skip along to keep up with him, and the bird flew around their heads and sang ‘Love, love, love; true delight, true delight,’ just as plain.”

* * * * *

Jewel gave the bird-song realistically, then she unclasped her hands.  “Mother,” she said, turning to Mrs. Evringham, “now you finish the story.  Will you?”

“Yes, indeed, I know the rest,” returned Mrs. Evringham quietly, and she took up the thread:—­

* * * * *

“As the man and Purity drew near to the great gates before the castle, these flew open of their own accord, and the travelers entered.  Drawing near the velvet green of the terraces, a curious familiarity in the fair scene suddenly impressed the man.  He stared, then frowned, then smiled.  A great light streamed across his mind.