The Silver Crown Another Book of Fables
   "I don't know what you are talking about!" said the Saint. "But if I am to go with you, first take off that ridiculous object on your head! I don't like play-acting, I tell you, and I have never believed in this kind of thing."

   The Angel smiled; and leading him to a clear pool that lay beside the road, bade him look in. He looked, and saw two white-clad figures bending over the water, and round the head of each the shining circle.

   "Bless my soul!" cried the Grumpy Saint. "I've got one too!"

   "To be sure!" said the Angel.

   "Preposterous!" said the Grumpy Saint.

   One day Love went to and fro in his house, looked from door and window, and had no rest.

   "I am weary," he said, "of this little house. Strait are the walls of it, and narrow the windows, and from them always the same things to see. I must be free; I must fly, or of what use are my wings?"

   So he took his red robe about him and flew out, leaving door and window streaming wide to the cold wind.

   But when he was gone came one in a little gown of green, (green for hope, Sweetheart; green for hope!) and entered the house, and shut door and window; swept the hearth clean and mended the fire, and then set herself down and sang, and minded her seam. Ever when the flame burned low she built it up, and now

   and then she looked out of window to see if any one were coming; but mostly she sat and sang, and kept the house tidy and warm.

   Now by and by Love was weary with flying hither and yon; cold he was, too, and night coming on; and as the dusk fell, he saw a light shining bright on the edge of the wold.

   "Where there is light there will be warmth!" said Love; and he flew near, and saw that it was his own little house.

   "Oh! who keeps my house alight?" cried Love.

   He opened the door, and the air came warm to greet him.

   "Oh! who keeps my house warm?" cried Love. And he looked, and saw one in a little gown of green, (green for hope, Sweetheart; oh! green for hope!) mending the fire, and singing as she worked.

   "Who are you, who keep my house?" asked Love.


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