"It’sgoingtobedarkprettysoon，"saidLeneliatlast，tryinghardtoconcealthetrembleinhervoice，"andwearegoingupinsteadofdown。Seppi，doyousupposethereareanybearsandwolvesabouthere？"
　　"Maybe，"saidSeppi，andtherewasalittlecatchinhisthroat，too。"Butthen，"headded，tryinghardtolookonthebrightsideofthings，"ifthereare，they’dbemuchmorelikelytoeatthegoats。Idon’tbelievetheycaremuchabouteatingpeople。"
　　"Well，anyway，iftheydo，"quaveredLeneli，"Ihopethey’llbeginwithNanni。"
　　Theafternoonwaned；theshadowsgrewlongerandlonger，andtheywirejustmakinguptheirmindsthattheymustsoonliedownamongthegoatsbesidethetrailandwaitformorning，whenaturninthepathbroughtthemoutonaspurofthemountainwheretheycouldlookformilesacrossadeepvalleytowardsthewest。
　　Onthefartherside，rangeafterrangeofsnow-cappedpeaksgavebackthegoldengloryofthesunset，andfromsomewherecamethesoundofanAlpinehornplayingthefirstfewnotesofthehymn"PraiseYetheLord。"
　　"TheAngelus！"criedLeneliclasping，herhands。"Theycan’thearthechurch-bellsuphere，sotheyblowthehornsinstead。"
　　Farawayacrossthevalleyanotherhornanswered，thenanotherandanother，andtheechoestookuptherefrainuntilitseemedasifthehillsthemselvesweresinging。
　　Followingeagerlythedirectionofthesoundthechildrenwereoverjoyedtoseeinthedistancealonelyherdsmanstandingonagreatrockoverlookingthevalley，hislongAlpinehorninhishand，andhisheadbowedinprayer。LeneliandSeppibowedtheirheadstoo，anditcomfortedthemtothinkthattheirmotherintheoldfarm-house，andFatherandFritzonthefar-awayalp，wereallatthatsamemomentprayingtoo。Itseemedtobringthemneartogetherinspiteofthedistancewhichseparatedthem。
　　Theirprayerssaid，thechildrenhastenedforward，drivingthegoatsbeforethem，andnowthesoundofcow-bellsmingledwiththetinkleofthebellsonthegoats。Anotherturninthepathrevealedagreenpasturewhereaherdofcowswasgrazing，and，justbeyond，aroughsheltermadeoflogswiththeherdsman，stillholdinghishorn，standingbesideit。Hewasgazinginastonishmentatthesightoftwolittlechildrenaloneonthemountainsatsolateanhour。Hewasanoldman，withashaggywhitebeard，andstrangekindeyesthatseemedalwayslookingforsomethingthathecouldnotfind。Besidehim，hisearspointedforwardandhistailpointingback，washisdog。Thedogwasgrowling。
　　Foraninstantthechildrenstoodstill，notquitedaringtogonearer，butBello，dearfriendlyoldBello，hadnosuchfears。Heranforwardbarkingjoyfully；thetwodogssmelledeachother，andthentrottedbackdownthepathtogetherasiftheyhadbeenfriendssincetheywerepuppies。
　　Themanfollowedataslowerpace。"Whatintheworldareyoudoinguphereonthemountainswithyourgoatsatthistimeo’
　　day？"hesaidtothechildren。
　　TheTwinstoldhimtheirstory，andhestoodforamomentscratchinghishead，asifheweremuchpuzzledtoknowwhattodowiththem。
　　"Well，"hesaidatlength，"youcan’tgetdownthemountaintonight，that’scertain；andyoumustbehungryenoughtoeatanoxroastedwhole，that’scertaintoo。Andyourgoatsarehungryintothebargain。Goatsaren’tallowedinthispasture，buttheymustn’tstarveeither。Nothingisasitshouldbe。"
　　Hescratchedhisheadagain，andLeneli，fearinghewasgoingtoturnthemaway，couldnotkeepalargetearfromrolling，downhernoseandsplashingoffherchin。
　　"There，there，"saidtheoldherdsman，comfortingly，"don’tyoucry，sissy。Thingsaren’tsobadbutthattheymightbeworse。
　　Youcansleepinthehayupyonder，"hejerkedhisthumbtowardthehut，"andI’llgiveyouabitetoeat，andthegoatswillhelpthemselves，I’venomannerofdoubt。"
　　"Wecandrinkgoat’smilk，"saidLenelitimidly，"andyoumayhaveallwedon’ttake。"
　　"We’llhavetomilkthemfirst，"saidSeppi，"andwe’veneverdoneitbefore。Motheralwaysdoesthemilking。"
　　"Iknowhow，"saidLeneliproudly。"Don’tyouremember，FritztaughtmethedayNanniswallowedmylunch？"
　　"I’lllendyouamilk-pail，"saidtheherdsman。"Thecowswereallmilkedsometimeago。"
　　Hewentbacktothebutandsoonreappearedwithtwopails，andasLenelistruggledwithonegoathemilkedanother，whileSeppifedbothcreatureswithtuftsofgrasstokeepthemquiet。Itwasthefirstgoodgrassthegoatshadseensincemorning，andapparentlytheyweredeterminedtoeatthepastureclean。
　　Theherdsmanlookedatthemanxiouslyandscratchedhisheadagain。"Theycertainlyhavehealthyappetites，"hesaidwoefully；
　　"theydon’tcalculatetoleaveanythingbehind’embutstonesandgravel！"
　　Themilkingtooksometimeandafteritwasdone，theoldmanplacedthesadandtiredchildrenonthebenchbesidehisdoor，andwhiletheyatethefoodhegavethemandwatchedthemoonriseoverthemountains，hetoldthemabouthishomeinthevillagefifteenmilesawayatthefootofthepass，andabouthiswifeandtwograndchildrenwholivedtherewithhim。
　　"Theonlythingyoucando，"hesaid，"istogodownthepassonthissideofthemountain。Youcanspendthenightatmyhouseoratsomefarm-houseonthewayanditisonlyabouttenmilesbacktoyourownvillagefromthefootofthepass。"
　　"Buthowcanwefindtheway？"quaveredpoorLeneli。
　　Theoldmanscratchedhishead，ashealwaysdidwhenhewaspuzzled，andfinallysaid，"Well，I’mblestifIcantellyou。
　　It’sahardpass。I’dgowithyou，butI’malonehereandIcan’tleavethecowsevenforhalfaday。I’llstartyouright，thedogandthegoatshavesomesenseoftheirown；andthegoodGodwillguideyou。Besides，Swissboysandgirlsareneverafraid。"
　　"I’malittleafraid，Ithink，"confessedLeneli。Shelookedatthemoonandthoughthowitmustbeshiningdownontheoldfarm-
　　house；andofhermother，whoatthatverymomentmustbefranticwithfearsfortheirsafety；andofthelongandperilousjourneybeforetheycouldseeheragain，andthoughshetriedhardtoswallowthem，threelittlesobsslippedout。
　　Theoldmanheardthem。"Why，blessme，blessme，"hesaid，rumplinghishairuntilitstoodonend，"thiswillneverdoatall！Why，blessus，thinkofWilliamTell！ThinkofPeter，wholivedlongagoinyourownLucerne，andwhosavedthewholecity！
　　Totakealittleherdofgoatsdownastrangepassischild’splaycomparedwithwhathedid；andhewasonlyaboylikeSeppihere，andIalwaysthoughtgirlswerebraverthanboys。"
　　Lenelisatupandsniffedresolutely。"Ithink——I’malmostsure——
　　I’mgoingtobebravenow，"shesaid。"TellusaboutPeter。"
　　"Well，itwaslikethis，"saidtheherds-man。"Peterwasasmart，likelyladenough，butnobodythoughthewasahero。Infact，heneversuspectedithimself。Yousee，youcan’ttellwhetheryouareoneornotuntilsomethinghappensthatcallsforcourage。Thenifyoudotherightthing，whetheryouareafraidornot，you’llknowyouareone。Well，onesummernightthisPeterwentouttohaveaswiminthelake，andwhenhecrawleduponthebanktodressagain，hewassotiredhefellasleep。Byandbyhewaswakenedbyvoicesand，openinghiseyes，hesawfiveorsixmencreepingstealthilyalongthelake-shore。
　　"’Aha，’saysPetertohimself，’that’snotthewalkofhonestmen。’
　　"Hegotuponhiselbowinthelonggrassandwatchedthemwithoutbeingseen。Hesawmanymoremenstealsilentlyafterthefirstgroup，andamongthemherecognizedtheBailiffofRothenburg，whomheknewtobeanAustrianandtheswornenemyofLucerne。Hesawthementalktogetherandheardenoughofwhattheypaidtobesurethatdangerthreatenedhisbelovedtown。Sowhentheymovedon，hefollowedthem，slippingalongbehindrocksandbushes，untilsuddenlytheydisappearedasiftheearthhadswallowedthem。Petergropedabouthuntingforthemuntilatlasthesawafaintlightshiningfromoutadarkcavernamongtherocks。Then，thoughheknewhowdangerousitwas，hefollowedthelightandfoundhimselfinalong，darktunnel。"
　　"Oh，"shudderedLeneli。"Icouldneverbeasbraveasthat。I
　　don’tlikedarkplaces。"
　　"Peterknewthatatunnelranunderneaththewallsofthetownandthattheotherendofitopenedbyatrap-doorintoastableinLucerne，"wentontheoldmanwithoutnoticingLeneli’sinterruption，"andatoncehesawthatsometraitormusthavetoldtheAustriansofthissecretpassage。Hecreptcloserandclosertothegroupofmen，untilhewasnearenoughtohearwhattheysaid。Youmaybesurehisbloodrancoldinhisveinswhenheheardthevoiceofamanheknew，tellingtheAustriansjusthowbesttheycouldcapturethetown！HeknewthatterriblethingswouldhappeninLucernethatnightiftheenemyeverreachedtheotherendofthetunnel，andatoncemadeuphismindthathemustalarmthetown。Hedroppedonhishandsandkneesandwasbeginningtocrawlbacktowardtheentrance，whenheheardsomeonecomingintothetunnel！Hesprangtohisfeetandtriedtorunpast，butthepassagewasnarrow，andhewascaughtatonceanddraggedintothelight。"
　　"Oh！Oh！"gaspedtheTwins，breathlesswithexcitement。"Itsoundsjustlikeabaddream。"
　　"Itwasnodream，"saidtheoldherdsman，"forwhenthetraitor，whosenamewasJeandeMalters，sawPeter，hewasterriblyangry。
　　’Howdidyoucomehere，’heroared，inavoicethatmadetheearthshake。
　　"’Iwasasleeponthebankandyouwokemeup，soIfollowedtoseewhatwasgoingon，’saidPeter。
　　"’Idon’tbelieveyou。Someonesentyoutospyuponus，’saidJeandeMatters，andheshookPeter。’Whosentyou？’
　　"’Noone，’saidPeter。’Ihavetoldyouthetruth。’
　　"’Youlie，’saidhiscaptor。"Igiveyoujusttwominutestotellwhosentyou，andifyoudonottellusthen，youshalldie！’
　　"PoorPeterthoughtofhishomeandhismotherandfather，andthereneverwasamorehomesickboyintheworldthanhewasatthatmoment，butthoughhewasterriblyfrightened，hedidnotsayasingleword。
　　"’Heshalldie，then，’saidJeandeFalters，whenthetwominuteswereup，andPeterhadnotspoken。
　　"OneoftheAustriansinterfered。’No，’hesaid。’Itwouldbebadlucktobeginthenight’sworkbysheddingthebloodofachild。
　　Makehimswearhewillnottellwhathehasseentoanylivingsoul，andlethimgo。’
　　"InspiteofJeandeMatters，whowasboundthatheshouldbekilled，thatwaswhattheydid，andthemomenthewasfreeyoumaybesurePeterranlikethewindforhome。
　　"Nowyousee，"saidtheoldherdsman，andheshookhisfingeratSeppiandLeneli，"IthiswasadreadfulpositionforPeter。Hehadsolemnlypromisednottotellalivingsoulwhathehadseenandheard，butifhedidn’ttell，hisparentsandfriendswouldbemurderedbeforemorning。
　　"ThateveninghisfatherandanumberofothermenweregatheredtogetherinthetownhallofLucernetotalkovercommunityaffairs，whenPetersuddenlyburstintotheroom，hiseyesasbigassaucers。
　　"Themengatheredabouthim，thinkinghemusthavesometremendouspieceofnews，butPeterspokeneverawordtothem。
　　Instead，hemarcheduptothegreatporcelainstovethatstoodintheroom。
　　"’OStove，’saidPeter，’IhavejustheardterriblethingswhichIhavepromisednottotelltoalivingsoul，butyou，OStove，havenosoul，sotoyouIwillsaythattheAustriansarenowinthetunnelunderneaththewallsandthatatmidnighttheywillbreakinandsackthetown。’
　　"AtfirstthementhoughtPeterhadgonecrazy，butwhenhehadfinishedtellingthestoveallhehadseenandheard，theyflewtoalarmthetownandgettheirweapons。
　　"Atmidnight，whentheAustrianscameupthroughtheholeinthestablefloor，theywerereceivedbyalittlearmyofmenofLucerne，andinthebattlethatfollowedtheywerecompletelywhippedanddrivenfromthetownforever。AnditwasPeterwhosavedthecity。
　　"YouseethatwasPeter’schancetoshowwhathewasmadeof，andhedidn’tmisshischance。Hedidtherightthing，eventhoughhewasafraid。It’sagreatthingnottomissone’schance。"
　　Theoldherdsmanlookedupatthemoonasifhehadn’tmeantanyoneinparticularwhenhesaidthataboutmissingone’schance，andthechildrendidn’tsayawordforaminute。
　　ThenSeppisaid，"IfPetercouldsaveawholetown，Iguesswecangetdownthatpasswithafewgoats。"
　　"Why，ofcourse，"saidtheherdsman。"It’syourchance，yousee，andwhenyougethomeverylikelyyou’llfindyouarebothheroes。Youseeiftherewereneveranydanger，therenevercouldbeanyheroesatall！Nowclimbupintothehay，bothofyou，andI’llwakeyouforanearlystartinthemorning。"
　　V。THEPASS
　　THEPASS
　　Allnightlongthechildrensleptsoundlyinthehayloft，withthemoonpeeringinatthemthroughthechinksbetweenthelogs。
　　Inthemorningtheywereawakenedbythemusicofcow-bells，andbythevoiceoftheoldherdsman，whostuckhisheadupthroughtheholeinthefloorandcalledout"Wakeup，myyoungheroes！
　　ThesunisalreadylookingoverthecrestofRigi，andit’stimeyouwereonyourway。"
　　SeppiandLenelisatupandrubbedtheireyes，andforamomentcouldnotthinkwheretheywereorhowtheycametobethere。
　　Thentheyremembered，and，springingfromtheirrudebeds，ranoutintothegloriousmorningandwashedtheirfacesandhandsinthemountainstreamthatflowednearthehut。Thentherewerethegoatstobemilked，andbreakfasttobeeaten，andtheshadowswerealreadyshorteningwhenatlasttheywerereadyfortheirlonelyanddangerousjourney。
　　Theoldherdsmanpackedsomebreadandcheeseintheirlunch-
　　cloth，Lenelislungthebundleonheralpenstock，andSeppicalledBellotoherdthegoats。Butthegoatswerewellpleasedwiththerichgreengrassofthealp，andwereunwillingtoleavethepasture。Theyfriskedandgamboledandstoodontheirhindlegsbuttingeachotherplayfully，anditwassometimebeforeSeppiandBellocouldgetthemfairlystarted。
　　Theoldherdsmanhaddonehismilkingveryearlyinordertogoalittlewaywiththechildren，andnow，leavingthecowsinchargeofhisfaithfuldog，heledthewaydownthesteepmountainpath。
　　Themorningairwassoclearandsparklingandthesunshonesobrightuponthesnow-cappedpeaks，thatthechildrenalmostforgotthedangersoftheunknownpath。Itseemedimpossiblethatanythingcouldhappentotheminsuchawonderfulandbeautifulworld，andtheysaidgood-byequitecheerfullytothegoodoldherdsmanwhenatlasthestoppedandtoldthemhemustgobacktohischeese-making。Fromtheplacewheretheystood，theycouldseethepathlikeatinythread，windingthroughforests，downalong，narrowvalleyshutinbyhighcliffs，pastwaterfallsfedbymountainsnows，andlosingitselfatlastwhereatinywhitesteeplemarkedthelittlevillagewhichwasthehomeoftheoldherdsman。Theoldmanpointedtoit。"FollowthepathandrememberPeterofLucerne，"hesaid。"Thisisyourchance！TrustthegoodGod，donotbeafraid，andsoonyourtroubleswillbeoverandyouwillbeoncemoreinyourmother’sarms。"Hestoodonarockandwatchedthelittleprocessionuntilabendinthepathhiditfromsight，thenhewentbacktohislonelypasture。
　　Foranhourorso，thechildrentrudgedquitecheerfullyontheirway。"Thisisn’thardatall，"saidSeppi。"Thepassiseasiertofollowthanourown。Howsillyweweretobescared！"
　　Theyweresousedtoclimbingaboutinperilousplacesthatwhenalittlelaterthepathledthemalongashelf-likeprojectiononthesideofsteepcliffs，overhangingamountainstream，theywerenotfrightened。Butwhentheybegantogrowtired，andthetrailledthemintoadarkforest，wherethesuncamethroughthethickboughsandshoneonlyinpatchesoflightupontheslipperyspruceneedles，theygrewlesscourageous。
　　"Idon’tliketheforest，"saidLeneli，shiveringalittleandlookingbehindher。"Italwaysseemsasifthingswouldhappentoyouinthewoods。"
　　"Whatkindofthings？"saidSeppi，whowasbeginningtofeelabitshakyhimself。
　　"Why——youknow，"answeredLeneli，"thekindofthingsthatgiantsanddragonsanddwarfsdo！Andthenthere’sthatstoryaboutPontiusPilate。YouknowouroldMountPilatuswasnamedthatbecausetheysayhisbodywasthrownintooneofitslakes，andhisspirithauntsthemountain。Heonlycomesoutonceayear，butoh，Seppi，supposethisshouldbethetime！"
　　"Huh！"saidSeppiscornfully。"Girls’talk！OfcourseIdon’tbelievesuchthings；besides，heonlycomesoutonGoodFriday，anyway！"
　　"Well，"saidLeneli，"lotsofpeopledobelievethem，evengrown-
　　uppeople。"
　　"Pooh，"saidSeppi，andjusttoshowthathedidn’tcareatallaboutsuchidletaleshebegantowhistle；butLenelinoticedthathetoolookedbehindhimnowandthen。
　　Itgrewmoreandmoredifficulttofindtheway，fortherewereopeningsbetweenthetreesthatlookedlikepathsandthetruepathwoundinandout，andcamenearlosingitselfentirelyamongtherocks。Thebrownneedlescoveredthegroundineverydirection，sothepasswasnodifferentincolorfromtherestoftheforestfloor。Whentheylookedbehindthemorpeeredfearfullyunderthespruceboughsfordwarfsorgiants，ofcoursetheywerenotwatchingthetrailcarefully，andso，whensuddenlytherewasaloudwhirringnoiseabovethetreesandagreatbirdflewalmostovertheirheads，theyweresostartledtheyjustranwithoutnoticingwhichwaytheyweregoing。Bellowasstartledtoo，andbegantobark。Thisstartedthegoats，andbeforeyoucouldsay"JackRobinson"children，dog，goats，andallweregallopingpell-mellthroughthewoods。
　　Aftertheloudwhirringnoisetheforestwasstillagain，andthechildrenstoppedtheirmadrace，buttheycouldnotstopthegoats。OnandontheyranwithBelloafterthem，andtherewasnothingforthechildrentodobutfollow，forhadnottheirfathertoldthemthatthewelfareofthewholefamilydependeduponthegoats，andifanyshouldbelost，theyalonewouldbetoblame？Stumblingoverroots，dodgingtreesandrocks，theyplungedwildlyalonguntilfinallytheysawalightspotaheadandamomentlatercameoutsuddenlyupontheedgeofaprecipice，fromwhichtheycouldlookstraightdownintoadeepvalleybelow。Thegoatsweretherebeforethemhuddledtogetheranthebrowofthecliff，bleatingpiteously。Bellosatonhishauncheswithhistonguehangingoutandlookedatthescenery！
　　SeppiandLenelilookedateachotherindismay。
　　"Nowyou’vedoneit！"saidSeppimiserably。"We’velostthepath，andit’sallyourfault！IfwehadbeenthinkingaboutPeterofLucerneinsteadofaboutthosesillyoldgiantsanddwarfs，thiswouldnothavehappened。"
　　"YouwerejustasscaredasIwas，"saidLeneli，"andyouneedn’ttrytolayitallonme！YoujumpedandranjustassoonasI
　　did，whenthatbirdflewoverourheads。"
　　Seppiknewthatthiswastrue，sohesaidnobly："Verywell，let’snotquarrelaboutit。Whatweneedtodoistogetthegoatsbacktothepath。"
　　Hetooksomesaltfromhispocket，ashisbigbrotherhadtaughthimtodo，andwalkedslowlytowardthem，holdingouthishand。
　　Nannistretchedherneckforwardandhadtakenjustonelickofthesaltwhensuddenlytheloudwhirringnoisecameagain，therewasaterrificscreamoverhead，andfromthecragsabovethemagreatgoldeneagleswoopeddowntowardsthefrightenedgrouponthecliff，and，stickinghisterribletalonsintoNanni’sback，triedtoliftherbodilyintotheair！Foraninstantsheswungdizzilyovertheedgeofthecliffastheeaglebeathiswingsfuriouslyinanefforttorisewithhisheavyburden。ButinthatinstantSeppileapedforwardand，seizingthegoatbythetail，pulledbackwithallhismight。LenelisprangtotherescueofSeppi，graspinghimfirmlyaroundthewaist，andscreaminglikeawildcatassheaddedherstrengthtohis。
　　MeanwhileBellobarkedfuriously，andtherestofthegoatsfledbleatingintothewoodsinamadstampede。Itwasalloverinlesstimethatittakestotellit。Thegoat，woundedandbleeding，droppedtotheground，thegreatbirdsoaredawayintothedizzyspacesbeyondthecliff，andthechildrendashedintotheshelterofthewoods，draggingNanniafterthem。Theycouldnotsinkdownonthegroundandrecoverfromtheirfrightastheylongedtodo，forbythistimethegoatshadscatteredamongthetreesandmustbebroughttogetheragainatonce。Bellowasdistractedlytryingtoroundthemup，butashehadnoideaofthedirection。inwhichtodrivethem，theywereallgallopingwildlyabout，firstthisway，thenthat。
　　Itwassometimebeforethechildrensucceededingettingtheflocktogetheragain，butatlasttheywereabletodrivethemfartherintothewoods，andawayfromthedangersofthecliffs，andweresoonfortunateenoughtocomeuponalittlemountainstreamwhichwassingingitswaythroughtheforest。Herethegoatsstoppedwillinglytodrink，andforthefirsttimethechildrenwereabletogivesomeattentiontoNanni。Herbackwastornandbloody，butherinjurieswerenotseriousandonthewholesheseemedlittletheworseforherexperience。
　　"Wemustletallthegoatsrestalittle，"saidSeppi。"Thereisn’tanyfoodforthem，buttheycanhaveagooddrinkwhileweeatourlunch，andthenwejustmustfindthatpath。"
　　TheysatdownonarockandLeneliopenedthebundleoffoodwhichtheoldherdsmanhadgiventhem。"Isn’titqueer？"saidshe，asshehandedSeppiapieceofcheese，"I’mnotasscaredasIwasbeforethatdreadfuleaglecame。Areyou？"
　　Seppipausedwithhismouthopenforabite。"Why，I’mnot，either！"hesaidwithsurprise。
　　Leneli’seyesgrewbig。"Seppi，"saidsheearnestly，"doyousuppose，maybe，we’reheroeslikePeterofLucerne，afterall，andneverknewit？"
　　Seppithoughtaboutthissoseriouslythatforaminuteheforgottoeat。Thenhesaid，"Why，ofcourseweare！Wewerescaredbutwedidtherightthing！My，butI’mglad！"Hesighedwithreliefandtookabigbiteandmunchedawayinsilence。
　　Atlasthesaidsolemnly，"Ofcourse，nowthatweknowwereallyareheroes，wewon’tbescaredanymore！We’llstopbeforewebegin！"
　　Lenelilookeddoubtful。"I’mafraidIshallbescaredagainifwedon’tfindthePass，"shesaid。"WemightdieuphereinthemountainsjustlikeMosesinsightofthepromisedland。Andsometimemaybeahunterwouldfindourboneslyingscatteredaboutontheground。"Shesniffedalittleatthispatheticpicture，andhereyesfilledwithtears。
　　"Lookhere，"saidSeppi，jumpingtohisfeetandgazingdownathersternly。"Isthatanywayforaherototalk？Theyaren’tgoingtofindanybonesofmine，Icantellyou！I’mgoingtogetdownthismountainwithallthegoats，andsoareyou！"
　　"Well，"saidtheheroine，doubtfully，"Iwasonlysupposing。"
　　"Well，then，don’tsupposethatway，"growledSeppi。"Justsupposewefindthepassandgetsomewhereintimeforsupper，andgethometo-morrow！"
　　Atthatveryminuteabrightthoughtstruckhim。"Whatasilly！"
　　hesaid。"Whydidn’tIthinkofitbefore？Thisstreamrunsdownhill，andifwefollowitweshallhavetogetdowntothevalley，too。Comealong！"
　　Hewasinsuchahurrytocarryouthisideathathestartedatoncewithhisbreadandcheeseinhishand。
　　"Butmaybeitwon’tbeanywherenearthevillagewheretheherdsman’shomeis，ifwedogetdown，"objectedLeneli；"weoughttofindthepath。"
　　"We’llbemorelikelytofinditbyfollowingthestream，"saidSeppi，givingaloudblastonhishorn，"andifwedon’tfindthatvillage，we’llfindanotherplacejustasgood。I’llbettherearesomekindpeopleeverywhere。"
　　Bellowasatthatmomentbarkingdownahollowloginthehopeofcatchingahare，butheobedientlyroundedupthegoatswhenSeppicalledhim，andthelittlecaravanbegantomove。
　　Itwasnotsosimpleasitsounded。Thestreamhadwornadeepchannelamongtherocks。Treeshadfallenacrossit，underminedbytheswiftcurrent。Hereitroaredthroughanarrowgorgeandtherespreadintoawidepool，thenagainplungedthroughunderbrushandamongrocksinitshastetoreachthelakefarbelow。Thegoatsmadeslowprogressand，wheneveritwaspossibletodoso，wanderedawayintoeasierpathsandhadtobedrivenback。
　　Atlast，totheirgreatrelief，thechildrensawabreakinthetrees，andtheyrushedjoyfullyforward，onlytofindthatthestreamatthispointleapedoveracliffinawaterfallfiftyfeethigh！Theyoungexplorersgazedatthisnewdifficultywithoutaword。
　　Farbelowinthegreenvalleytheycouldseelittlewhitespeckswhichwerefarmbuildings，andtinyvillagesnestlingamongtreesalongthebanksofawidestream。Theycouldevenseetheglacierwhichfedthisriver，lyinglikesomehugewhitemonsteralongthevalley，itsbroadnosethrustbetweenthebanksoneitherside。
　　"Everytimewethinkwe’vefoundthewayout，wejustgetdeeperinthanever，"moanedLeneli，atlast。"Wecan’tgetdownthisway，andifwedidwe’dhavetocrosstheglacier。"
　　"Itisn’taverybigone，"saidSeppi，lookingdownatit。
　　"Youcan’ttellfromhere，"quaveredLeneli。
　　Seppilookedabouthim。Totherighttheforestslopesstretchedupwardtowardthemountain-top。Infrontwastheplunge，andattheleftthestreamgurgledoverrocksandstonestoitsfall。
　　"We’lljusthavetocrossit，"saidSeppifirmly。Hedrovethegoatsbackalittlewaytoaplacewhereitwaspossibletofordthestream，andin，alittlewhilethewholecaravanstooddrippingonthefartherbank。
　　"I’mgoingtofollowalongtheedgeofthiscliff，"saidSeppi，"andyouandthegoatsfollowafterme。I’msureweshallfindaplacewherewecangetdown。I’llkeepcalling，soyou’llknowwhichwaytogo。
　　Heplungedintotheforestatthewordandwaslosttosight，andLeneli，drivingthegoatsbeforeher，plungedafterhim。Guidedbythesoundofthewaterfall，theyforcedtheirwaythroughunderbrush，overgreatpilesofrocksandaroundperilouscurves，seekingalwaysthelowerlevels，untilatlast，whenshewasalmostreadytogiveupindespair，LeneliheardajoyfulshoutfromSeppiand，hasteningforward，foundhimattheedgeoftheforest，lookingoutoverawiderangeoffoothills。Theforestwasnowbehindthem，andbeforethemlaygreenslopesspangledlikethestarsinthemilkywaywithyellowdaffodilsandbluegentians。
　　Thegoats，wildwithdelightatseeingfreshpasturage，leapedforwardandbegantobrowse，anddearoldBellosatdownonhishauncheswithhistonguehangingoutandgazeduponthesceneasbenevolentlyasifhisownstomachwerefullinsteadofempty。
　　Thechildrenweresowearytheythrewthemselvesdowninthegrassbesidehimtorest。
　　Nowthattheyhadescapedtheperilsoftheforest，italmostseemedtothemforalittlewhileasiftheirtroubleswereover，butbyandbySeppisatupandstudiedthescenebeforethem。Helookedpastthelongslopestotheglacierandtheriverinthevalleybelow。
　　"We’vegottogetacrossthatsomehow，"hesaidtoLeneli，atlast，pointingtothestream，"andthereareonlytwowaysofdoingit。Whenwegetdownthere，wemusteithergothroughtheriver，oracrosstheglacierwhichfeedsit。"
　　"Wecan’tgothroughit，"answeredLeneli。"Wedon’tknowhowdeepitis。"
　　"Thenitwillhavetobetheglacier，"saidSeppi，"andI’mgladgoatsaresosure-footed。We’dbetterstartalong，forit’sgettinglatereveryminute，andI’mboundtoreachthatfarm-
　　housebeforedark。"Hepointedtoaspeckinthedistance。
　　"Oh，dear，"sighedLeneli，asshefollowedhisfingerwithhereye，"it’slikedyingtogettoheaven！Supposewefallintocracksintheglacier？"
　　"You’retheworstsupposerIeversaw，"snappedSeppi。"Supposewedon’tfallin！Supposewegetacrossallrightwithallthegoats，andsupposethere’sagoodwomanatthefarm-housewhofeedsus，andBellotoo！Supposeshegivesus……whatwouldyoulikebestforsupper，Leneli？"
　　"Oh！"criedLeneli，claspingherhands，"soupandpancakes！"
　　"Hurryup，then，"saidSeppi。"Weshallsurelynevergetthem，noranythingelse，bystayinghere。"
　　Lenelistruggledtoherfeet，andoncemoretheymovedforward。
　　Halfanhourofbriskwalkingbroughtthemtotheedgeoftheglacier，andhereSeppiarrangedtheirmarchingorder。
　　"I’llgofirst，"hesaid，"thesameasaguide，thenthegoats，andthenyouandBello。Youmustwatcheverystep，andkeepstickinginyouralpenstocktobesureyouareonsolidice。Ifyoudon’t，youmightstrikeahollowplaceandfallthroughthecrust。"
　　"I’llbecareful，"saidLeneli。
　　"Allright，then！herewego！"saidSeppi。"Icanjustsmellthosepancakes！"andwiththathesetoutacrosstheriverofice。
　　Thechildrenunderstoodverywellthedangersoftheglaciers。Itwasnotsimplyafrozenstreamonwhichonemightskate。Itwasagreatslow-moving，grindingavalancheoficeandrocks，fullofseamsandcracksandholes，whichwascreepingsteadilydownthevalley。Theriverformedbythemeltingsnows，gushedforthfrombeneathitandrushedawaytojointhelakestillfarbelow。
　　Eventhegoatsknewitwasaperilousjourney，andbesidestheywereunwillingtoleavetherichgrassofthefields，soitwaswithsomedifficultythattheywerefinallydrivenforwardupontheglacier。Seppiledtheway，blowingonhislittlehorntoencouragethem，tryingeverystepwithhisstick，andwaitingforthemtocatchupbeforegoingfarther。Theywerenearlyhalfwayacross，whenSeppistoppedandcalledtoLenelitostandstill。
　　Thereinfrontofhimyawnedawidecrevasse。Thefrozenriverhadcrackedopen，andiftheywentforwardinastraightlinetheywouldplungedownintoaniceprisonfromwhichtheycouldneverescapealive。
　　Itwasthehardestpuzzleandthegreatestdangertheyhadmetintheirwholejourney，andforaminutepoorSeppialmostgaveupindespair。Hethoughttheywouldhavetogobackandtrytheriverafterall。ShoutingtoLenelitokeepthegoatstogetherifshecould，heturnedandmadehiswayup-streamalongtheedgeofthecrevasse。Itgrewnarrowerashefollowedit，andbrokeintoanumberofsmallercracks。
　　Theonlywaytogettotheothersidewastofollowalongthesesmallercrackswheretheymadeacrookednaturalbridgeacrossthechasm。EvenSeppi’sstoutheartquailedalittleashegazeddownintothedepthsofthehugerifts。Thewallsoficegleamedwithwonderfulgreensandblues，buthehadnohearttoadmirethebeautifulcolors。
　　"RememberPeterofLucerne，andcomeon，"heshoutedbacktoLeneli，andwithoutanotherwordstartedacrossthetreacherousicebridge。Itmadenodifferencewhethershewasfrightenedornot，Lenelisimplyhadtofollowhimeventhoughthegoats，sure-
　　footedastheywere，shrankfromthejourney，andBellohungbackandwhined。
　　"Followexactlyinmyfootsteps，"shoutedSeppi，andLeneliswallowedalumpinherthroat，graspedheralpenstockmorefirmlyandwentforward。
　　"Don’tlookdownintothehole！Lookatthebridgeacrossit！"
　　shoutedSeppi。
　　Hesteppedcarefullyforward，findingsolidfootingwithhisstickbeforeeachstep，andinashorttimestoodsafelyontheothersideofthechasm。Therehewaitedandheldhisbreath，whilethegoatspickedtheirwaydaintilyacrosstheicebridgeafterhim，andwhenLeneliandBelloatlastreachedhisside，hehuggedthembothforjoy。
　　"There，"hesaid，"therecan’tbeanythingworsethanthat，andwe’llsoonbeongreengrassagain。
　　Theypassedothersmallercrevasses，buttheycouldmaketheirwayaroundtheendsofthese，anditwasnotlongbeforetheyhadscrambledovertherocksattheglacier’sedgeandoncemorestoodonsolidground。EvenBelloseemedtorealizethattheirtroubleswerenownearlyover，forhebarkedandranroundthemincirclesandleapedupwithhispawsontheirshoulderstogivethemdogkisses，and，asforhistail——henearlywaggeditlooseinhisjoy。Thegoatssprangforwardtoreachthegrass，andwhenthechildrendrovethemon，snatchedgreedymouthfulsastheypassed。Thechildrencouldseethefarm-housegrowingfromamerespecklargerandlargerastheycamedownthevalleytowardit，andatlastthelittlegroupofstragglerspatteredintothedoor-
　　yard。
　　Thenoiseofbleatinggoatsandabarkingdogbroughtthefarmer’swifetothedoor，andforamomentshestoodtherewithherbabyinherarmsandlookeddownattheminastonishment，justastheoldherdsmanhaddoneonthemountain。
　　"Whereintheworlddidyoucomefrom？"shecriedatlast。"Whoareyou？andwhatdoyouwanthere？"
　　Leneliopenedhermouthtoanswer，butwhenshesawthewoman’skindface，andthebabysuckingitsthumbandlookingatthemsolemnly，itremindedhersoofhermotherandBabyRoselithat，insteadofexplaining，sheburstintotears。
　　Thewomanclattereddownthestepsofonce，putherfreearmaroundLeneli，andpattedhercomfortingly，whileSeppitoldhertheirstory。Beforehehadgotfartherthantheavalanchepartofit，sheseemedtoguessalltherest。Itwasnotthefirsttimethatpeoplehadbeenlostonthemountain。
　　"Comerightinthisminute，"shecried。"Don’tstoptotalk！Youmustbeashungryaswolves。I’llgetyousomethingtoeat，andthenyoucantellmeeveryword。"
　　"Please，"saidLenelitimidly，dryinghertears，"couldyougiveBellosomethingfirst？Thegoatshavehadalittlegrassandwehadsomebreadandcheese，butBellohasn’thadabiteallday。"
　　"Blessmysoul！"saidthewoman。"Whatalittlewomanitis，tothinkfirstofthedog！Here，"shecriedtoSeppi；"takethisbonetohimrightaway，andshutupthegoatsinthebarn-yard。
　　ThencomebackandI’llgiveyouwhateveryoulikebest，ifI’vegotit！"
　　"Ifyouplease，ma’am，"saidSeppi，hiseyesshining，"uponthemountainwhenwewerelost，wesawyourhouseandwejustsupposedthatmaybeyoumighthavesoupandpancakes！"
　　"Blessmysoul！"criedthewoman。"Soupandpancakesitshallbe，andthat’ssoonready！"
　　SheputthebabyintoLeneli’sarmsandflewaboutthekitchen，rattlingpotsandpans，stirringupthefire，andmixingherbatter；andwhenSeppireturned，thesmellofpancakeswasalreadyintheair，andthesoupwasbubblinginthepot。Infiveminutesmorethechildrenwereseatedatthekitchentablewithsteamingbowlsbeforethem，whiletheirnewfriendcookedapileofpancakesthatitwouldhavewarmedthecocklesofyourhearttosee。
　　Thefarmerhimselfwasfarawayonthehighalpswithhiscattle，andcamedownthemountainonlyonceinawhilewithaloadofcheesesonhisback。Hiswifewasverylonelyinhisabsenceandwasgladtohavecompany，ifonlyforasinglenight；soshecomfortedthechildrenandtalkedwiththemabouttheirmother，andpiledpancakesontheirplatesuntiltheycouldnotholdanothermouthful。Thenshehelpedthemmilkthegoats，andwhenthesunwentdown，sentthemtobedsotheywouldbewellrestedfortheirlongwalkthenextday。
　　VI。NEWFRIENDSANDOLD
　　NEWFRIENDSANDOLD
　　Whenthechildrencameintothekitchenthenextmorning，theyfoundtheirnewfriendbeatingmushandmilktogetherfortheirbreakfast，andtherewasasmellofcoffeeintheair。
　　"Sitrightdownandeat，"saidshe，pushingastooltowardthetablewithherfoot。"I’vemilkedthegoatsforyou。Theydidn’tgivemuch，poorthings，andit’snowonder，aftersuchadayastheyhadyesterday！Thewonderisthattheygaveanyatall。I’vemadecoffeeforyou，foryou’vealongdayaheadofyou，anditwillcheerupyourinsides。It’saluckythingforyouthedayissofine。IthoughtIhearditraininthenight，butoldPilatus’
　　headhasnocloudcapthismorning，andheisagoodweatherprophet。"
　　Thebabywasalreadyseatedinherhighchairatthetable，beatinguponitwithaspoontowelcomethem，andthechildrenweresoonseatedbesideherputtingawayagreatstoreofthegoodmush。Thefarmer’swifehadnoonebutthebabytotalktoduringthelongdayswhenherhusbandwasaway，andshemadethemostofhertimewhilethechildrenwerewithher。Shetoldthemallabouthercowsandherpigsandherchickens，justhowmuchhayherhusbandbroughtdownfromhishighlandmeadowonhisbacktheprevioussummer，andhowmanycheesesheexpectedtobringhomefromthealpattheendoftheseason。Andwhenatlasttheyhadeatenalltheycould，sheputupalunchforthem，andgavethemfulldirectionsforreachingtheirownvillage。
　　"It’snothardatall，"saidshe，"forthoughitisstillalongwaytothefootofthemountain，you’veonlytofollowtheroad，andifyoudon’tknowwhichturntotakeatacross-roads，there’llalwaysbesomebodytoasksomewherealongtheway。Ifyoucouldgetsofardownthemountainandacrosstheglacierbyyourselvesyou’venothingtofearnow，andyou’dbettermakeallthespeedyoucan，formyheartbleedsforyourpoormother。Shemustbehalfdeadwithanxietybynow。"
　　Shekissedthemgood-byeatthedoorandstoodwithherbabyonherarm，gazingafterthemwhentheydrovethegoatsoutofthedoor-yardandstarteddownthehighwaytowardtheirhome。Theydidnotforgettothanktheirkindhostess，andaftertheyhadstartedturnedagainandagaintowaveafarewelltoher。Shewavedtotheminreturn，andthebabyalsoflutteredhertinypinkhanduntiltheywerequiteoutofsight。
　　"We’llneverforgether，shallwe？"saidLeneli。
　　"Never，"answeredSeppi，fervently。"She’salmostasgoodasMother！Anddoesn’tshemakegoodpancakes，though？"
　　Theysettheirfacesnorthwardandtrudgedalong，hurryingratherthanslackingtheirspeedasthemileslengthenedbehindthem，forasthedistancebetweenthemandtheirhomeshortened，theireagernesstogetthereincreased。Itwasagoodtwelvemilesfromthefarm-housewheretheyhadspentthenighttotheirownvillage，andamilethissideofthevillageandamileupthemountain-slopewastheirowndearhome。This，tothesturdySwissboyandgirl，broughtupinthemountains，wasnotahardwalk，buttheyknewthatgoatsmustnotbedriventoofastiftheyareexpectedtogiveanymilk，soitwaslateafternoonbeforethecavalcadereachedthefootoftheirownhill-sideandbeganthelastclimbofthewearyjourney。
　　Thechildrencouldseetheirownroof，weighteddownbystones，peepingovertheedgeofthehilllongbeforetheywereanywherenearit，andtheyfastenedtheirhomesickeyesuponitasasailorfixeshisupontheNorthStaratsea。Nowtheycouldseethewholehouse，withthegoat-shedandcow-stablesbackofit，thestraw-stack，andthesouthernslopeofthegarden。
　　Theystrainedtheireyesforaglimpseoftheirmother，buttherewasnomovementtobeseenanywhereabouttheplace。Eventhebreezehaddieddown，sotherewasnotsomuchasaflutteramongthetreesastheydrewnearerandnearer。Atlast，unabletoholdthemselvesbacklonger，theybrokeintoarunandcamedashingintotheyardwithallthegoat-bellsjingling，Bellobarking，andtheirownvoicesraisedinajoyfulshout："Mother，Mother，whereareyou？We’rehome！"
　　Buttotheirsurpriseandgreatdisappointment，therewasnoanswer。Thehousewasasstillasifitwereasleep。LeavingthegoatstoBello，thechildrendashedintothekitchen。Therewasnoonethere，andtherewasnosoundbuttheloudtick-tockofthecuckooclock。Theydashedupstairstothebedroomsandbackagaintothekitchen。Everywheresilence。
　　"It’sjustasifthehouseweredeadwhenMotherisn’tinit，"
　　sobbedLeneli。"Wherecanshebe？AndRoselitoo！"
　　"RoseliiswhereMotheris，youmaybesure，"saidSeppi。
　　Theyranoutdoorsagain，andfoundBellobarkingmadlyatNanni，whowashavingablissfultimewiththecarrot-tops，whichsherefusedtoleaveevenwhenBello，whoknewverywellsheshouldn’tbeinthegardenatall，nippedatherheels。
　　"We’llhavetoshutupthegoats，"saidSeppi，asherantoBello’sassistance。
　　Theydrovethemintotheshed，gavethemsomehay，andthenrestedtheirwearylegsforamoment，sitingonthekitchensteps，whiletheyconsideredwhattodonext。
　　ThenanawfulthoughtstruckLeneli。"Theavalanche！"shegasped。
　　"Maybeshewascaughtbyit！"
　　Seppigrewpaleandgulpeddownasob。"No，"hesaid，whenafteramomenthecouldspeak。"Idon’tbelieveit！There’snosignoftheavalancheabouthere，andMothernevergoesawayfromhome。
　　She’stryingtofindus；that’swhatshe’sdoing！"
　　Lenelicollapsedonthestep。"Oh，Seppi，"shecried，"doyousupposeshe’slostonthemountainjustaswe’vefoundourselvesandgothomeagain？"Thethoughtwastoomuchforher，andshesobbedafresh。
　　"Well，"saidSeppi，"cryingwon’tdoanygood。Let’sgoandseeifwecanfindher。"
　　Wearyastheywere，theystartedatoncetotheirfeettobeginthisnewquest，eventhoughtheshadowswerelongacrosstheflower-starredmountain-slopesandthesunwasalreadysinkingtowardthewest。
　　Astheyroundedthecornerofthehouse，Seppigaveajoyfulshoutandpointedupthegoat-pathtowardthemountain。There，alongdistanceoff，theysawtheirmothercomingtowardthemwithBabyRoseliinherarms！Evenatthatdistancetheycouldseethatshelookedwearyandsad，forherheaddroopedandherstepwasslow。Alltheirownwearinessvanishedlikemagicatsightofher，andwithashoutthatwakedtheechoesonoldPilatustheyboundedupthepathtomeether。
　　Sheheardtheshout，andshadinghereyeswithherhand，lookedeagerlyinthedirectionofthesound，andinanotherminutemotherandchildrenwereclaspedineachother’sarms，whileBabyRoselicrowedwithdelightfromanestinthemidstofgrassandflowerswhereshehadbeensuddenlydeposited。
　　Foramomenttheygavethemselvesuptothejoyofreunion，thenSeppisaidproudly："Webroughtthegoatssafelyhome，Mother。
　　Theyareallintheshed。"
　　"Ithoughtyouhadbeenswallowedupbytheavalanche，"sobbedtheirmother，claspingthemagaintoherheart。"Allthemenofthevillagearenowupthemountainsidesearchingforyouandtryingtobreakafreshpathtothegoat-pastures。Theymustbetoldthatyouaresafe。"
　　Shesprangtoherfeet，andstartedbackupthepath。ThenshethoughtofSeppi’shorn。"Blow，"shecried，"blowFritz’stuneifyoucan。Theyallknowit，andsomeofthemarenearenoughtohear。"
　　Seppiputthehorntohislipsandblew。Atfirstitwasonlyadismalsquawk；then，thoughitsoundedmuchlikethecrowingofayoungroosterinimitationofanoldone，hedidmanagetoachievethefirstfewnotesofFritz’stune。Soonaheadappearedabovearockfarupthetrail，thenawholemanscrambledtothetopofitandgazedearnestlyatthelittlegroupinthepathbelow。
　　AgainSeppisoundedhishorn，hismotherflungoutherapronlikeaflagofvictory，andallofthem，includingRoseli，wavedtheirarmssojoyouslythattherewasnomistakingthemessage。Withanansweringshoutthemandroppedoutofsightagainbehindtherock，andafewmomentslatertheysawhimrunningdownthehillsidetowardthevillage。
　　Soonthechurch-bellwasclangingjoyfullyfromthebelfry，carryingthenewsofthewanderers’safereturntoeveryonewithinhearingdistance。Bellsfromtheadjoiningvillagejoinedtheclamor，andhornsansweringfromdistantcragstoldthegladnews。Thetoilersonthemountain-sideheardandrejoiced。
　　>Fromthecliffswheretheechoeslivedcameshoutaftershout，andsoonthewomenofthevillage，whohadbeenwatchingwiththedistractedmotherandhelpingintheworkofthemen，camehurryingdownthegoat-pathtowelcomethewanderersandrejoiceovertheirsafereturn。Theywerejoinedbyoneandanotherofthemenastheyreturnedfromthemountain-side，untilquiteagrouphadgatheredintheblossomingfieldtohearthechildrentellthestoryoftheirperilousadventures。TheywerestandingthuswhenthesundippedbehindthewesternhillsandtheAngelusoncemorecalledthecountrysidetoprayer。Withgratefulheartsandbowedheads，neighborsandfriendsgavethankstoGodforhismercies，thenscatteredtotheirownfiresides，leavingthehappymotherandchildrentogether。
　　Whentheyenteredthekitchenoftheoldfarm-houseoncemore，thetinywoodencuckoohoppedoutofhistinywoodendoorandshouted"cuckoo"seventimes，andwhentheyhadeatentheirsupper，andthechildrensatbesidethegreatstovetellingtheirmotheralloveragainabouttheoldherdsman，andtheeagle，andthefarmer’swife，andalltheothereventsoftheirthreedaysonthemountain，thecuckoowaitedfifteenwholeminutesbeyondthehourbeforehecouldmakeuphismindtoremindthemofbed=time。Thenhestuckhisheadoutoncemoreandcried"cuckoo"
　　quitehystericallyeighttimes。EventhentheylingeredtotalkaboutFatherandFritzfarawayinthehighalps，andofhowgladtheywerethattheyknewnothingofthedangersandanxietiestheyhadjustbeenthrough。
　　"Dearme！"saidthemother，risingatlast，"howfastthetimegoeswhenwearehappy！It’slongpastyourbedhour，andyoumustbeverytired。Wemuststoptalkingthisveryminute！"
　　Shesentthechildrenupstairs，tuckedtheminbed，heardtheirprayers，andkissedthemgood-night。Theirshecamebacktothekitchen，pattedBello，whywassoundasleeponthedoorstep，lookedatthemoonrisingoverthecrestofRigi，fastenedthedoor，pulleduptheweightstowindtheclock，and，takinghercandle，wentupstairstobedherself。
　　Whenatlastthesoundofherfootstepsceased，andthehousewasquietforthenight，thecuckoostuckouthisheadandlookedaboutthesilentkitchen。Themoonlightstreamedinattheeasternwindow，thelittlemousewascreepingfromherhole，andtheshadowswerewhisperingtogetherincorners。
　　"Onthewhole，"saidthecuckootohimself，"IthinkI’vemanagedthisthingverywell。Everyoneishappyagain，andnowIcantakealittlerestmyself。Thepastthreedayshavebeenverywearyingtoonewithmyresponsibilities。"
　　"Cuckoo，"hecalledninetimes，thenthetinywoodendoorclappedshut，andhetoowenttosleep。