Then Robin's heart leaped and bounded with pity, and with pure gladness, too, that he was not yet too late to save his friends from the consequences of their own generosity. The last rays of sunset struck the tower as Robin, forgetting all about his blue velvet clothes and the princess and the Prize for Good Luck, ran and raced, uphill and down, through brambles and briers, over bogs and hummocks, leaving bits of lace caught on the bushes, swifter than ever he hastened to the Ogre of Ogre Castle or to the lovely princess with the amulet. [Illustration: "HE SAW THE POOR CREATURE PANTING FROM THIRST"] [Illustration: "HE SAW THE BLIND EAGLE SITTING ALONE IN THE TREE"] He was there--oh, yes, he was there long before nine o'clock. The Owl received back her wisdom, and I can tell you that she soon sent the saucy blue jay packing. The Hare had his swiftness, and the fox was left so far behind that he was soon glad to limp back home and eat the plain supper that Mrs. Fox had prepared for him. The poor blind Eagle opened his eyes, and saw the moon and the stars, and, better than moon and stars, the loving face of his comrade, Robin. The Lion drank his fill, and said that now he would like some breakfast food, please. So the story ended happily after all. Oh, yes, I forgot about the Prize for Good Luck, didn't I? When the king told the princess that Robin was foolish enough to give back the wisdom and the swiftness and the clear sight and the strength that had won the prize for him, and that without them he was only a very common little boy, not good enough for a princess to dance with, she stamped her foot and called for the godmother who gave her the amulet in the first place. Then the princess's godmother said that the princess for once was quite, quite right--that Robin must have the three cartloads of gold coin drawn by six mules, and the tarts and honey for his mother, and whenever the princess gave another party she must ask him to open the dance with her, blue velvet suit or no blue velvet suit--"because," said the godmother, "there is one thing better than wisdom or swiftness or clear sight or strength, and that is a loving heart." * * * _But Elizabeth had gone to sleep._ IN SPRING Rippling and gurgling and giggling along, The brooklets are singing their little spring song; Laughing and lively and gay as can be, They are skipping right merrily down to the sea. [Illustration] A FAMOUS CASE BY THEODORE C. WILLIAMS Two honey-bees half came to blows About the lily and the rose, Which might the sweeter be; And as the elephant passed by, The bees decided to apply To this wise referee. The elephant, with serious thought, Ordered the flowers to be brought, And smelt and smelt away. Then, swallowing both, declared his mind: "No trace of perfume can I find, But both resemble hay." MORAL