“I shouldn’t be one bit surprised if he did,” she answered. “But, Dearie-_Dearest_,” said Phyllisy, perched on the arm of the chair and playing with the Princess’s fingers, “I wish you’d just explain this: You said it was so long ago—Taffy and all—nobody can remember when. I thought it was—not exactly ‘Ancient,’ you know, but ‘Once upon a time’?” “That is perfectly true,” said the Princess, soberly. “But you know—” “Yes?” prompted Miss Phyllisy. “You know, Taffy had a young heart? It seems to me, he must have been always.” That kept everybody silent for a moment, thinking about it. Then Pat’s voice came from among the pillows in the dusky corner of the couch: “Well—I hope to goodness he’ll like us!” “I don’t see how he could help it,” said the Princess. EPILOGUE _Come back, Little Katharines, still for a time to our glamour-world, Ere our ship’s prow touches the daylight shore, And her sails are furled. The sun has gone on his way o’er the mountain’s rim; The mighty Earth-shadow creeps slowly up from the East, And the heavens grow dim. See, in the soft gloaming the stars steal forth into sight, Till over the dun Earth-plain broods the deep blue vault Of the jeweled night. They are there, dear hearts; each one of our Star Folk blest Faithful and motionless stands, borne on by the firmament’s Ceaseless roll to the West. They listen, they wait, expectant. For what? In the vast, Deep hush of the night their heart-beats throb in the stars. At last,— In the Northern heavens a gleam of wavering light Floats upward—dies. Then again—pulsing up, ever stronger, More bright._ _With the first, faint gleam, a shadow of sound—a sigh As a breath over harp-strings—sets trembling the stars As it passes through Earth and Sky. (Too fine for our bodily ears, little sisters, but clear To the blessed to whom all beauty is one. Only look; You shall hear!) Fuller toned now, and deeper, as broadening pennons of light Uprush from below the horizon; the heavens are alive— Filled with splendor the night!_