“What are you doing there?” cried Josephine, Julia and Jane’s father. “I thought I heard a noise,” said the lady, “so I came to look.” “Nonsense!” he exclaimed, “you are always imagining burglars. Go back to bed, and don’t be such a goose.” When she had gone, Master Bogey and his love came out of their hiding-place. It took but a moment to unlock the door and draw the bolts. They shut it softly after them and ran down the steps and out into the shadows, where Father Bogey and Madam were waiting to embrace their daughter-in-law. Then they all went up into the tree, where, as I have heard, they lived happily together ever after. THE TREE OF PRIDE “To-day it’s the book’s turn,” said the miller to his friends as the light was fading one evening. “Last time we heard about Bogeys and people of that sort, but to-day we’ll have a Princess, and King’s Courts and fine company.” “I like hearing about grand ladies,” observed Janet. “Yes, I like them well enough, too,” replied he; “that is, if they’re as good and as beautiful as some lasses I have seen.” He looked rather hard at Janet, and she blushed. “Oh, never mind talking!” broke in little Peter, pulling the miller’s sleeve. “It’s the story I want. If you don’t begin quick the light will be gone; the rooks are coming home already, and soon we shall have to go in to supper.” “You needn’t do that, for you shall come to supper with me in the mill,” said the miller. “How would you like that?” “We daren’t,” said Janet. “I’ll go and make it right with your grandmother myself,” he replied. “She’ll be glad enough, maybe, for there’ll be all the more left in the larder to-morrow. Sit still till I come back.” And he jumped over the wall. They watched him pass the pool and disappear into the white cottage. “Oh, how delightful!” shouted little Peter, turning head over heels. In a few minutes the miller returned. The old woman had promised everything he wanted. It is a funny thing how often young men can manage witches. They all went into the mill. “So now to business,” said he, as he sat down and took up his book. In a kingdom far from this everyday earth a great city sat royally in its surrounding plain. It had domes and towers, temples and fortresses, and in it lived a Princess whose goodness and beauty were known for miles round. The plain was vast and fertile, but here and there patches of wilderness lay like islands among the crops; and a winding stream wandered, now through their richness, now through tangled briars and unfrequented tracks.