"They look lovely as you see them," said the Lion, "because perpetual health, and love, and happiness are being diffused upon them from the fountains. Outside they were different," continued the Lion; "but here the dark circles disappear from beneath their eyes, which become bright and full of love, as they ought to be, the little puckers of care and want are sponged out of their faces by the spray from the fountain. The pallor of their faces changes to rosy health and beauty as it should; the pinched look many of them wear, gives place to roundness and the happy laughing curves of childhood that doesn't know or reckon of any care." "But, Lal, where do all these wonderful things come from?" questioned Ridgwell; "the great canopy, the golden carpet, all the costumes and the jewels?" The Lion chuckled. "They all come out of the fountains, straight from the warehouses of the merchants. The Dolphins bring them. Everything comes from the fountains." "You see," proceeded the Lion, "there is going to be plenty to eat and drink and everything of the best." Once again the Lion pointed towards the two fountains: "See the eight golden dolphins with their golden trays, they hand up delicious cakes, the best fruit, ices, lemonade, chocolates, sandwiches, anything you want." "Shall we have some of those delightful things to eat too?" asked Ridgwell. "Oh, be reassured, my child," smiled the Lion, "the Dolphins won't forget either you or Christine, they will dance up to you with their trays filled with everything you want." "If all those other children look so very beautiful, what do _we_ look like?" Ridgwell asked the Lion in a whisper. "You see there are no looking-glasses, are there?" For the first time the children remembered to look at one another. Christine was the first to speak, and it was with a cry of great delight she turned to Ridgwell-- "Oh, Ridgie, you are lovely," said Christine. "Course he is," said the Lion. "I don't know about that," said Ridgwell hesitatingly. "I think you have made a mistake in the excitement." "I've not," insisted Christine; "why, you look like a beautiful little Prince." Here Ridgwell, who, overcome with modesty at these tributes, had been examining his jewelled shoe-buckles with downcast eyes, looked up at his sister. "Well, how about you?" exclaimed Ridgwell. "Why, you look like a lovely fairy queen----" "Course she does," said the Lion. "Don't be silly, Ridgie," said Christine, severely. "I'm not," asserted Ridgwell. "I've never seen you look like that. Perhaps," added Ridgwell, "these glittering orders we wear round our necks have something to do with it." "You're right," said the Lion, "the priceless Order of Great Imagination enables you to see everything that is beautiful as it really is, and, of course, everything here is beautiful, so," added the Lion logically, "why should you both be different from anything else?" The Lion beckoned to one of the Dolphins.