“Why not?” Eva asked, in surprise. “Because you are only a little earth-maiden.” Eva laughed, “What is that?” She had wholly, as we know, forgotten the past. “I cannot tell you,” Aster said, slowly. “I only know what THEY have told me about you.” “And that?” “I do not know. But you are not like me, Eva. We are very different. Look at your dress, and then at mine.” In truth, every here and there upon the rich velvet of Aster’s dress were soils and stains, while not a spot discolored the pure white Eva wore. “Now do you see?” Aster asked. “You know that we are in Shadow-Land, and it can only affect things which are like itself; it cannot harm you or deceive you.” “Do you belong here?” “No,” Aster said, “I came from there,” pointing to the round full moon above their heads. “I wish I was there again.” “Why don’t you go back, then?” “I can’t, unless you help me. THEY who sent me here say so.” “Why did they send you here?” “Because up there,” pointing to the moon, “I lost my flower, and everything which is lost there falls into Shadow-Land, as everything which is lost in Fairy-Land falls into the Enchanted River; and so they sent me here to find it again, because a prince cannot live there without his flower; and I cannot find it unless you help me. Now you know who I am, Eva,--the moon-prince, Aster.” “Then must I say Prince Aster?” “No; to you I am only Aster. And I know that it will be hard for you to find the flower, for I cannot help you, or tell you what it is like. I know that the Green Frog has hidden it, and you are the only person who can help me to find it, and then you must give it to me. THEY say we shall have trouble.” “But we will find it at last?” “When my punishment for losing it is over. To-morrow we must leave this place, for after this moon the moss will be gone.” “You know where to go, then?” “No; I can only follow you. I have no power here; you will have to take care of me.” And then Aster began to sing, and this was the song which he sung: Till my flower bloom again, We may seek, yet seek in vain. Till ’tis plucked by Eva’s hand, We must roam through Shadow-Land. Only this does Aster know, Through hard trials he must go; Eva’s hand must guide him on Till his flower again be won. She must wander far and near, Led by songs he may not hear; Should she lose me from her hand, Worse my fate in Shadow-Land.