"You're Silverstar!" he said, gazing up at her with keen satisfaction. "Where are Bluebell and Princess Goldilocks?" "They're not here to-day." "Oh, I do so want to see them!" "They'll be sorry to miss you." "He'll talk of nothing else now," observed Lizzie. "You wouldn't believe what a fancy he's taken to you three; and he's a queer child--he doesn't like everybody." "I want to see the others!" repeated Eric, with the suspicion of a wail in his voice. "Look here," said Dona hastily, "to-morrow's our exeat day. Can you bring him to that place on the cliffs where we met before? We'll be there at four o'clock--all of us. You can leave him with us if you want to go shopping. Now I must fly, for my teacher's calling me." "We'll be there," smiled Eric, waving a good-bye. "That's if your ma says you're well enough," added Lizzie cautiously. Before Preparation Dona sought out Marjorie, and told her of the meeting with the little boy. "We've just got to be on the cliff to-morrow," she said. "I wouldn't disappoint that child for a thousand pounds!" "Auntie would send Hodson with us, I'm sure, if Elaine can't go. I'm so glad you happened to see him. We'd often wondered what had become of him, poor little chap! By the by, couldn't we take him something?" "I'd thought of that. We'll fly down to Whitecliffe to-morrow, first thing after we get to Auntie's, and buy him a book at the Stores." "I hope to goodness it'll be a fine day, or perhaps they won't let him come." "I believe he'll cry his eyes out if they don't. He's tremendously set on it." Very fortunately the weather on Wednesday was all that could be desired. Marjorie and Dona rushed into The Tamarisks in quite a state of excitement, and both together poured out their information. Elaine was as interested as they to meet Eric again, and readily agreed to the proposed expedition. "We'll take some cake and milk with us, and have a little picnic," she suggested. "Let us tear down to Whitecliffe at once and buy him a present." Shortly before four o'clock the three girls, carrying a tea-basket and several parcels, were walking along the cliffs above the cove. The long perambulator was already waiting at the trysting-place, and Eric, propped up with pillows, smiled a welcome. Elaine was shocked to see how ill the child looked. He had been frail enough in the autumn, but now the poor little body seemed only a transparent garment through which the soul shone plainly. She greeted him brightly, but with an ache in her heart. "My Princess!" he said. "So you've come back to me at last! And Fairy Bluebell too! Oh, I've wanted you all! It's been a weary winter. The gnomes kept me shut up in their hill all the time. They wouldn't let me out." "Perhaps they were afraid the witches might catch you," answered Marjorie. "Yes, I expect that was partly it, but the gnomes are jealous, and like to guard me. I don't know what I should have done without Titania." "Did she come to see you?"