\"It’sgoingtobedarkprettysoon，\"saidLeneliatlast，tryinghardtoconcealthetrembleinhervoice，\"andwearegoingupinsteadofdown。Seppi，doyousupposethereareanybearsandwolvesabouthere？\"
\"Maybe，\"saidSeppi，andtherewasalittlecatchinhisthroat，too。\"Butthen，\"headded，tryinghardtolookonthebrightsideofthings，\"ifthereare，they’dbemuchmorelikelytoeatthegoats。Idon’tbelievetheycaremuchabouteatingpeople。\"
\"Well，anyway，iftheydo，\"quaveredLeneli，\"Ihopethey’llbeginwithNanni。\"
Theafternoonwaned；theshadowsgrewlongerandlonger，andtheywirejustmakinguptheirmindsthattheymustsoonliedownamongthegoatsbesidethetrailandwaitformorning，whenaturninthepathbroughtthemoutonaspurofthemountainwheretheycouldlookformilesacrossadeepvalleytowardsthewest。
Onthefartherside，rangeafterrangeofsnow-cappedpeaksgavebackthegoldengloryofthesunset，andfromsomewherecamethesoundofanAlpinehornplayingthefirstfewnotesofthehymn\"PraiseYetheLord。\"
\"TheAngelus！\"criedLeneliclasping，herhands。\"Theycan’thearthechurch-bellsuphere，sotheyblowthehornsinstead。\"
Farawayacrossthevalleyanotherhornanswered，thenanotherandanother，andtheechoestookuptherefrainuntilitseemedasifthehillsthemselvesweresinging。
Followingeagerlythedirectionofthesoundthechildrenwereoverjoyedtoseeinthedistancealonelyherdsmanstandingonagreatrockoverlookingthevalley，hislongAlpinehorninhishand，andhisheadbowedinprayer。LeneliandSeppibowedtheirheadstoo，anditcomfortedthemtothinkthattheirmotherintheoldfarm-house，andFatherandFritzonthefar-awayalp，wereallatthatsamemomentprayingtoo。Itseemedtobringthemneartogetherinspiteofthedistancewhichseparatedthem。
Theirprayerssaid，thechildrenhastenedforward，drivingthegoatsbeforethem，andnowthesoundofcow-bellsmingledwiththetinkleofthebellsonthegoats。Anotherturninthepathrevealedagreenpasturewhereaherdofcowswasgrazing，and，justbeyond，aroughsheltermadeoflogswiththeherdsman，stillholdinghishorn，standingbesideit。Hewasgazinginastonishmentatthesightoftwolittlechildrenaloneonthemountainsatsolateanhour。Hewasanoldman，withashaggywhitebeard，andstrangekindeyesthatseemedalwayslookingforsomethingthathecouldnotfind。Besidehim，hisearspointedforwardandhistailpointingback，washisdog。Thedogwasgrowling。
Foraninstantthechildrenstoodstill，notquitedaringtogonearer，butBello，dearfriendlyoldBello，hadnosuchfears。Heranforwardbarkingjoyfully；thetwodogssmelledeachother，andthentrottedbackdownthepathtogetherasiftheyhadbeenfriendssincetheywerepuppies。
Themanfollowedataslowerpace。\"Whatintheworldareyoudoinguphereonthemountainswithyourgoatsatthistimeo’
day？\"hesaidtothechildren。
TheTwinstoldhimtheirstory，andhestoodforamomentscratchinghishead，asifheweremuchpuzzledtoknowwhattodowiththem。
\"Well，\"hesaidatlength，\"youcan’tgetdownthemountaintonight，that’scertain；andyoumustbehungryenoughtoeatanoxroastedwhole，that’scertaintoo。Andyourgoatsarehungryintothebargain。Goatsaren’tallowedinthispasture，buttheymustn’tstarveeither。Nothingisasitshouldbe。\"
Hescratchedhisheadagain，andLeneli，fearinghewasgoingtoturnthemaway，couldnotkeepalargetearfromrolling，downhernoseandsplashingoffherchin。
\"There，there，\"saidtheoldherdsman，comfortingly，\"don’tyoucry，sissy。Thingsaren’tsobadbutthattheymightbeworse。
Youcansleepinthehayupyonder，\"hejerkedhisthumbtowardthehut，\"andI’llgiveyouabitetoeat，andthegoatswillhelpthemselves，I’venomannerofdoubt。\"
\"Wecandrinkgoat’smilk，\"saidLenelitimidly，\"andyoumayhaveallwedon’ttake。\"
\"We’llhavetomilkthemfirst，\"saidSeppi，\"andwe’veneverdoneitbefore。Motheralwaysdoesthemilking。\"
\"Iknowhow，\"saidLeneliproudly。\"Don’tyouremember，FritztaughtmethedayNanniswallowedmylunch？\"
\"I’lllendyouamilk-pail，\"saidtheherdsman。\"Thecowswereallmilkedsometimeago。\"
Hewentbacktothebutandsoonreappearedwithtwopails，andasLenelistruggledwithonegoathemilkedanother，whileSeppifedbothcreatureswithtuftsofgrasstokeepthemquiet。Itwasthefirstgoodgrassthegoatshadseensincemorning，andapparentlytheyweredeterminedtoeatthepastureclean。
Theherdsmanlookedatthemanxiouslyandscratchedhisheadagain。\"Theycertainlyhavehealthyappetites，\"hesaidwoefully；
\"theydon’tcalculatetoleaveanythingbehind’embutstonesandgravel！\"
Themilkingtooksometimeandafteritwasdone，theoldmanplacedthesadandtiredchildrenonthebenchbesidehisdoor，andwhiletheyatethefoodhegavethemandwatchedthemoonriseoverthemountains，hetoldthemabouthishomeinthevillagefifteenmilesawayatthefootofthepass，andabouthiswifeandtwograndchildrenwholivedtherewithhim。
\"Theonlythingyoucando，\"hesaid，\"istogodownthepassonthissideofthemountain。Youcanspendthenightatmyhouseoratsomefarm-houseonthewayanditisonlyabouttenmilesbacktoyourownvillagefromthefootofthepass。\"
\"Buthowcanwefindtheway？\"quaveredpoorLeneli。
Theoldmanscratchedhishead，ashealwaysdidwhenhewaspuzzled，andfinallysaid，\"Well，I’mblestifIcantellyou。
It’sahardpass。I’dgowithyou，butI’malonehereandIcan’tleavethecowsevenforhalfaday。I’llstartyouright，thedogandthegoatshavesomesenseoftheirown；andthegoodGodwillguideyou。Besides，Swissboysandgirlsareneverafraid。\"
\"I’malittleafraid，Ithink，\"confessedLeneli。Shelookedatthemoonandthoughthowitmustbeshiningdownontheoldfarm-
house；andofhermother，whoatthatverymomentmustbefranticwithfearsfortheirsafety；andofthelongandperilousjourneybeforetheycouldseeheragain，andthoughshetriedhardtoswallowthem，threelittlesobsslippedout。
Theoldmanheardthem。\"Why，blessme，blessme，\"hesaid，rumplinghishairuntilitstoodonend，\"thiswillneverdoatall！Why，blessus，thinkofWilliamTell！ThinkofPeter，wholivedlongagoinyourownLucerne，andwhosavedthewholecity！
Totakealittleherdofgoatsdownastrangepassischild’splaycomparedwithwhathedid；andhewasonlyaboylikeSeppihere，andIalwaysthoughtgirlswerebraverthanboys。\"
Lenelisatupandsniffedresolutely。\"Ithink——I’malmostsure——
I’mgoingtobebravenow，\"shesaid。\"TellusaboutPeter。\"
\"Well，itwaslikethis，\"saidtheherds-man。\"Peterwasasmart，likelyladenough，butnobodythoughthewasahero。Infact，heneversuspectedithimself。Yousee，youcan’ttellwhetheryouareoneornotuntilsomethinghappensthatcallsforcourage。Thenifyoudotherightthing，whetheryouareafraidornot，you’llknowyouareone。Well，onesummernightthisPeterwentouttohaveaswiminthelake，andwhenhecrawleduponthebanktodressagain，hewassotiredhefellasleep。Byandbyhewaswakenedbyvoicesand，openinghiseyes，hesawfiveorsixmencreepingstealthilyalongthelake-shore。
\"’Aha，’saysPetertohimself，’that’snotthewalkofhonestmen。’
\"Hegotuponhiselbowinthelonggrassandwatchedthemwithoutbeingseen。Hesawmanymoremenstealsilentlyafterthefirstgroup，andamongthemherecognizedtheBailiffofRothenburg，whomheknewtobeanAustrianandtheswornenemyofLucerne。Hesawthementalktogetherandheardenoughofwhattheypaidtobesurethatdangerthreatenedhisbelovedtown。Sowhentheymovedon，hefollowedthem，slippingalongbehindrocksandbushes，untilsuddenlytheydisappearedasiftheearthhadswallowedthem。Petergropedabouthuntingforthemuntilatlasthesawafaintlightshiningfromoutadarkcavernamongtherocks。Then，thoughheknewhowdangerousitwas，hefollowedthelightandfoundhimselfinalong，darktunnel。\"
\"Oh，\"shudderedLeneli。\"Icouldneverbeasbraveasthat。I
don’tlikedarkplaces。\"
\"Peterknewthatatunnelranunderneaththewallsofthetownandthattheotherendofitopenedbyatrap-doorintoastableinLucerne，\"wentontheoldmanwithoutnoticingLeneli’sinterruption，\"andatoncehesawthatsometraitormusthavetoldtheAustriansofthissecretpassage。Hecreptcloserandclosertothegroupofmen，untilhewasnearenoughtohearwhattheysaid。Youmaybesurehisbloodrancoldinhisveinswhenheheardthevoiceofamanheknew，tellingtheAustriansjusthowbesttheycouldcapturethetown！HeknewthatterriblethingswouldhappeninLucernethatnightiftheenemyeverreachedtheotherendofthetunnel，andatoncemadeuphismindthathemustalarmthetown。Hedroppedonhishandsandkneesandwasbeginningtocrawlbacktowardtheentrance，whenheheardsomeonecomingintothetunnel！Hesprangtohisfeetandtriedtorunpast，butthepassagewasnarrow，andhewascaughtatonceanddraggedintothelight。\"
\"Oh！Oh！\"gaspedtheTwins，breathlesswithexcitement。\"Itsoundsjustlikeabaddream。\"
\"Itwasnodream，\"saidtheoldherdsman，\"forwhenthetraitor，whosenamewasJeandeMalters，sawPeter，hewasterriblyangry。
’Howdidyoucomehere，’heroared，inavoicethatmadetheearthshake。
\"’Iwasasleeponthebankandyouwokemeup，soIfollowedtoseewhatwasgoingon，’saidPeter。
\"’Idon’tbelieveyou。Someonesentyoutospyuponus，’saidJeandeMatters，andheshookPeter。’Whosentyou？’
\"’Noone，’saidPeter。’Ihavetoldyouthetruth。’
\"’Youlie，’saidhiscaptor。\"Igiveyoujusttwominutestotellwhosentyou，andifyoudonottellusthen，youshalldie！’
\"PoorPeterthoughtofhishomeandhismotherandfather，andthereneverwasamorehomesickboyintheworldthanhewasatthatmoment，butthoughhewasterriblyfrightened，hedidnotsayasingleword。
\"’Heshalldie，then，’saidJeandeFalters，whenthetwominuteswereup，andPeterhadnotspoken。
\"OneoftheAustriansinterfered。’No，’hesaid。’Itwouldbebadlucktobeginthenight’sworkbysheddingthebloodofachild。
Makehimswearhewillnottellwhathehasseentoanylivingsoul，andlethimgo。’
\"InspiteofJeandeMatters，whowasboundthatheshouldbekilled，thatwaswhattheydid，andthemomenthewasfreeyoumaybesurePeterranlikethewindforhome。
\"Nowyousee，\"saidtheoldherdsman，andheshookhisfingeratSeppiandLeneli，\"IthiswasadreadfulpositionforPeter。Hehadsolemnlypromisednottotellalivingsoulwhathehadseenandheard，butifhedidn’ttell，hisparentsandfriendswouldbemurderedbeforemorning。
\"ThateveninghisfatherandanumberofothermenweregatheredtogetherinthetownhallofLucernetotalkovercommunityaffairs，whenPetersuddenlyburstintotheroom，hiseyesasbigassaucers。
\"Themengatheredabouthim，thinkinghemusthavesometremendouspieceofnews，butPeterspokeneverawordtothem。
Instead，hemarcheduptothegreatporcelainstovethatstoodintheroom。
\"’OStove，’saidPeter，’IhavejustheardterriblethingswhichIhavepromisednottotelltoalivingsoul，butyou，OStove，havenosoul，sotoyouIwillsaythattheAustriansarenowinthetunnelunderneaththewallsandthatatmidnighttheywillbreakinandsackthetown。’
\"AtfirstthementhoughtPeterhadgonecrazy，butwhenhehadfinishedtellingthestoveallhehadseenandheard，theyflewtoalarmthetownandgettheirweapons。
\"Atmidnight，whentheAustrianscameupthroughtheholeinthestablefloor，theywerereceivedbyalittlearmyofmenofLucerne，andinthebattlethatfollowedtheywerecompletelywhippedanddrivenfromthetownforever。AnditwasPeterwhosavedthecity。
\"YouseethatwasPeter’schancetoshowwhathewasmadeof，andhedidn’tmisshischance。Hedidtherightthing，eventhoughhewasafraid。It’sagreatthingnottomissone’schance。\"
Theoldherdsmanlookedupatthemoonasifhehadn’tmeantanyoneinparticularwhenhesaidthataboutmissingone’schance，andthechildrendidn’tsayawordforaminute。
ThenSeppisaid，\"IfPetercouldsaveawholetown，Iguesswecangetdownthatpasswithafewgoats。\"
\"Why，ofcourse，\"saidtheherdsman。\"It’syourchance，yousee，andwhenyougethomeverylikelyyou’llfindyouarebothheroes。Youseeiftherewereneveranydanger，therenevercouldbeanyheroesatall！Nowclimbupintothehay，bothofyou，andI’llwakeyouforanearlystartinthemorning。\"
V。THEPASS
THEPASS
Allnightlongthechildrensleptsoundlyinthehayloft，withthemoonpeeringinatthemthroughthechinksbetweenthelogs。
Inthemorningtheywereawakenedbythemusicofcow-bells，andbythevoiceoftheoldherdsman，whostuckhisheadupthroughtheholeinthefloorandcalledout\"Wakeup，myyoungheroes！
ThesunisalreadylookingoverthecrestofRigi，andit’stimeyouwereonyourway。\"
SeppiandLenelisatupandrubbedtheireyes，andforamomentcouldnotthinkwheretheywereorhowtheycametobethere。
Thentheyremembered，and，springingfromtheirrudebeds，ranoutintothegloriousmorningandwashedtheirfacesandhandsinthemountainstreamthatflowednearthehut。Thentherewerethegoatstobemilked，andbreakfasttobeeaten，andtheshadowswerealreadyshorteningwhenatlasttheywerereadyfortheirlonelyanddangerousjourney。
Theoldherdsmanpackedsomebreadandcheeseintheirlunch-
cloth，Lenelislungthebundleonheralpenstock，andSeppicalledBellotoherdthegoats。Butthegoatswerewellpleasedwiththerichgreengrassofthealp，andwereunwillingtoleavethepasture。Theyfriskedandgamboledandstoodontheirhindlegsbuttingeachotherplayfully，anditwassometimebeforeSeppiandBellocouldgetthemfairlystarted。
Theoldherdsmanhaddonehismilkingveryearlyinordertogoalittlewaywiththechildren，andnow，leavingthecowsinchargeofhisfaithfuldog，heledthewaydownthesteepmountainpath。
Themorningairwassoclearandsparklingandthesunshonesobrightuponthesnow-cappedpeaks，thatthechildrenalmostforgotthedangersoftheunknownpath。Itseemedimpossiblethatanythingcouldhappentotheminsuchawonderfulandbeautifulworld，andtheysaidgood-byequitecheerfullytothegoodoldherdsmanwhenatlasthestoppedandtoldthemhemustgobacktohischeese-making。Fromtheplacewheretheystood，theycouldseethepathlikeatinythread，windingthroughforests，downalong，narrowvalleyshutinbyhighcliffs，pastwaterfallsfedbymountainsnows，andlosingitselfatlastwhereatinywhitesteeplemarkedthelittlevillagewhichwasthehomeoftheoldherdsman。Theoldmanpointedtoit。\"FollowthepathandrememberPeterofLucerne，\"hesaid。\"Thisisyourchance！TrustthegoodGod，donotbeafraid，andsoonyourtroubleswillbeoverandyouwillbeoncemoreinyourmother’sarms。\"Hestoodonarockandwatchedthelittleprocessionuntilabendinthepathhiditfromsight，thenhewentbacktohislonelypasture。
Foranhourorso，thechildrentrudgedquitecheerfullyontheirway。\"Thisisn’thardatall，\"saidSeppi。\"Thepassiseasiertofollowthanourown。Howsillyweweretobescared！\"
Theyweresousedtoclimbingaboutinperilousplacesthatwhenalittlelaterthepathledthemalongashelf-likeprojectiononthesideofsteepcliffs，overhangingamountainstream，theywerenotfrightened。Butwhentheybegantogrowtired，andthetrailledthemintoadarkforest，wherethesuncamethroughthethickboughsandshoneonlyinpatchesoflightupontheslipperyspruceneedles，theygrewlesscourageous。
\"Idon’tliketheforest，\"saidLeneli，shiveringalittleandlookingbehindher。\"Italwaysseemsasifthingswouldhappentoyouinthewoods。\"
\"Whatkindofthings？\"saidSeppi，whowasbeginningtofeelabitshakyhimself。
\"Why——youknow，\"answeredLeneli，\"thekindofthingsthatgiantsanddragonsanddwarfsdo！Andthenthere’sthatstoryaboutPontiusPilate。YouknowouroldMountPilatuswasnamedthatbecausetheysayhisbodywasthrownintooneofitslakes，andhisspirithauntsthemountain。Heonlycomesoutonceayear，butoh，Seppi，supposethisshouldbethetime！\"
\"Huh！\"saidSeppiscornfully。\"Girls’talk！OfcourseIdon’tbelievesuchthings；besides，heonlycomesoutonGoodFriday，anyway！\"
\"Well，\"saidLeneli，\"lotsofpeopledobelievethem，evengrown-
uppeople。\"
\"Pooh，\"saidSeppi，andjusttoshowthathedidn’tcareatallaboutsuchidletaleshebegantowhistle；butLenelinoticedthathetoolookedbehindhimnowandthen。
Itgrewmoreandmoredifficulttofindtheway，fortherewereopeningsbetweenthetreesthatlookedlikepathsandthetruepathwoundinandout，andcamenearlosingitselfentirelyamongtherocks。Thebrownneedlescoveredthegroundineverydirection，sothepasswasnodifferentincolorfromtherestoftheforestfloor。Whentheylookedbehindthemorpeeredfearfullyunderthespruceboughsfordwarfsorgiants，ofcoursetheywerenotwatchingthetrailcarefully，andso，whensuddenlytherewasaloudwhirringnoiseabovethetreesandagreatbirdflewalmostovertheirheads，theyweresostartledtheyjustranwithoutnoticingwhichwaytheyweregoing。Bellowasstartledtoo，andbegantobark。Thisstartedthegoats，andbeforeyoucouldsay\"JackRobinson\"children，dog，goats，andallweregallopingpell-mellthroughthewoods。
Aftertheloudwhirringnoisetheforestwasstillagain，andthechildrenstoppedtheirmadrace，buttheycouldnotstopthegoats。OnandontheyranwithBelloafterthem，andtherewasnothingforthechildrentodobutfollow，forhadnottheirfathertoldthemthatthewelfareofthewholefamilydependeduponthegoats，andifanyshouldbelost，theyalonewouldbetoblame？Stumblingoverroots，dodgingtreesandrocks，theyplungedwildlyalonguntilfinallytheysawalightspotaheadandamomentlatercameoutsuddenlyupontheedgeofaprecipice，fromwhichtheycouldlookstraightdownintoadeepvalleybelow。Thegoatsweretherebeforethemhuddledtogetheranthebrowofthecliff，bleatingpiteously。Bellosatonhishauncheswithhistonguehangingoutandlookedatthescenery！
SeppiandLenelilookedateachotherindismay。
\"Nowyou’vedoneit！\"saidSeppimiserably。\"We’velostthepath，andit’sallyourfault！IfwehadbeenthinkingaboutPeterofLucerneinsteadofaboutthosesillyoldgiantsanddwarfs，thiswouldnothavehappened。\"
\"YouwerejustasscaredasIwas，\"saidLeneli，\"andyouneedn’ttrytolayitallonme！YoujumpedandranjustassoonasI
did，whenthatbirdflewoverourheads。\"
Seppiknewthatthiswastrue，sohesaidnobly：\"Verywell，let’snotquarrelaboutit。Whatweneedtodoistogetthegoatsbacktothepath。\"
Hetooksomesaltfromhispocket，ashisbigbrotherhadtaughthimtodo，andwalkedslowlytowardthem，holdingouthishand。
Nannistretchedherneckforwardandhadtakenjustonelickofthesaltwhensuddenlytheloudwhirringnoisecameagain，therewasaterrificscreamoverhead，andfromthecragsabovethemagreatgoldeneagleswoopeddowntowardsthefrightenedgrouponthecliff，and，stickinghisterribletalonsintoNanni’sback，triedtoliftherbodilyintotheair！Foraninstantsheswungdizzilyovertheedgeofthecliffastheeaglebeathiswingsfuriouslyinanefforttorisewithhisheavyburden。ButinthatinstantSeppileapedforwardand，seizingthegoatbythetail，pulledbackwithallhismight。LenelisprangtotherescueofSeppi，graspinghimfirmlyaroundthewaist，andscreaminglikeawildcatassheaddedherstrengthtohis。
MeanwhileBellobarkedfuriously，andtherestofthegoatsfledbleatingintothewoodsinamadstampede。Itwasalloverinlesstimethatittakestotellit。Thegoat，woundedandbleeding，droppedtotheground，thegreatbirdsoaredawayintothedizzyspacesbeyondthecliff，andthechildrendashedintotheshelterofthewoods，draggingNanniafterthem。Theycouldnotsinkdownonthegroundandrecoverfromtheirfrightastheylongedtodo，forbythistimethegoatshadscatteredamongthetreesandmustbebroughttogetheragainatonce。Bellowasdistractedlytryingtoroundthemup，butashehadnoideaofthedirection。inwhichtodrivethem，theywereallgallopingwildlyabout，firstthisway，thenthat。
Itwassometimebeforethechildrensucceededingettingtheflocktogetheragain，butatlasttheywereabletodrivethemfartherintothewoods，andawayfromthedangersofthecliffs，andweresoonfortunateenoughtocomeuponalittlemountainstreamwhichwassingingitswaythroughtheforest。Herethegoatsstoppedwillinglytodrink，andforthefirsttimethechildrenwereabletogivesomeattentiontoNanni。Herbackwastornandbloody，butherinjurieswerenotseriousandonthewholesheseemedlittletheworseforherexperience。
\"Wemustletallthegoatsrestalittle，\"saidSeppi。\"Thereisn’tanyfoodforthem，buttheycanhaveagooddrinkwhileweeatourlunch，andthenwejustmustfindthatpath。\"
TheysatdownonarockandLeneliopenedthebundleoffoodwhichtheoldherdsmanhadgiventhem。\"Isn’titqueer？\"saidshe，asshehandedSeppiapieceofcheese，\"I’mnotasscaredasIwasbeforethatdreadfuleaglecame。Areyou？\"
Seppipausedwithhismouthopenforabite。\"Why，I’mnot，either！\"hesaidwithsurprise。
Leneli’seyesgrewbig。\"Seppi，\"saidsheearnestly，\"doyousuppose，maybe，we’reheroeslikePeterofLucerne，afterall，andneverknewit？\"
Seppithoughtaboutthissoseriouslythatforaminuteheforgottoeat。Thenhesaid，\"Why，ofcourseweare！Wewerescaredbutwedidtherightthing！My，butI’mglad！\"Hesighedwithreliefandtookabigbiteandmunchedawayinsilence。
Atlasthesaidsolemnly，\"Ofcourse，nowthatweknowwereallyareheroes，wewon’tbescaredanymore！We’llstopbeforewebegin！\"
Lenelilookeddoubtful。\"I’mafraidIshallbescaredagainifwedon’tfindthePass，\"shesaid。\"WemightdieuphereinthemountainsjustlikeMosesinsightofthepromisedland。Andsometimemaybeahunterwouldfindourboneslyingscatteredaboutontheground。\"Shesniffedalittleatthispatheticpicture，andhereyesfilledwithtears。
\"Lookhere，\"saidSeppi，jumpingtohisfeetandgazingdownathersternly。\"Isthatanywayforaherototalk？Theyaren’tgoingtofindanybonesofmine，Icantellyou！I’mgoingtogetdownthismountainwithallthegoats，andsoareyou！\"
\"Well，\"saidtheheroine，doubtfully，\"Iwasonlysupposing。\"
\"Well，then，don’tsupposethatway，\"growledSeppi。\"Justsupposewefindthepassandgetsomewhereintimeforsupper，andgethometo-morrow！\"
Atthatveryminuteabrightthoughtstruckhim。\"Whatasilly！\"
hesaid。\"Whydidn’tIthinkofitbefore？Thisstreamrunsdownhill，andifwefollowitweshallhavetogetdowntothevalley，too。Comealong！\"
Hewasinsuchahurrytocarryouthisideathathestartedatoncewithhisbreadandcheeseinhishand。
\"Butmaybeitwon’tbeanywherenearthevillagewheretheherdsman’shomeis，ifwedogetdown，\"objectedLeneli；\"weoughttofindthepath。\"
\"We’llbemorelikelytofinditbyfollowingthestream，\"saidSeppi，givingaloudblastonhishorn，\"andifwedon’tfindthatvillage，we’llfindanotherplacejustasgood。I’llbettherearesomekindpeopleeverywhere。\"
Bellowasatthatmomentbarkingdownahollowloginthehopeofcatchingahare，butheobedientlyroundedupthegoatswhenSeppicalledhim，andthelittlecaravanbegantomove。
Itwasnotsosimpleasitsounded。Thestreamhadwornadeepchannelamongtherocks。Treeshadfallenacrossit，underminedbytheswiftcurrent。Hereitroaredthroughanarrowgorgeandtherespreadintoawidepool，thenagainplungedthroughunderbrushandamongrocksinitshastetoreachthelakefarbelow。Thegoatsmadeslowprogressand，wheneveritwaspossibletodoso，wanderedawayintoeasierpathsandhadtobedrivenback。
Atlast，totheirgreatrelief，thechildrensawabreakinthetrees，andtheyrushedjoyfullyforward，onlytofindthatthestreamatthispointleapedoveracliffinawaterfallfiftyfeethigh！Theyoungexplorersgazedatthisnewdifficultywithoutaword。
Farbelowinthegreenvalleytheycouldseelittlewhitespeckswhichwerefarmbuildings，andtinyvillagesnestlingamongtreesalongthebanksofawidestream。Theycouldevenseetheglacierwhichfedthisriver，lyinglikesomehugewhitemonsteralongthevalley，itsbroadnosethrustbetweenthebanksoneitherside。
\"Everytimewethinkwe’vefoundthewayout，wejustgetdeeperinthanever，\"moanedLeneli，atlast。\"Wecan’tgetdownthisway，andifwedidwe’dhavetocrosstheglacier。\"
\"Itisn’taverybigone，\"saidSeppi，lookingdownatit。
\"Youcan’ttellfromhere，\"quaveredLeneli。
Seppilookedabouthim。Totherighttheforestslopesstretchedupwardtowardthemountain-top。Infrontwastheplunge，andattheleftthestreamgurgledoverrocksandstonestoitsfall。
\"We’lljusthavetocrossit，\"saidSeppifirmly。Hedrovethegoatsbackalittlewaytoaplacewhereitwaspossibletofordthestream，andin，alittlewhilethewholecaravanstooddrippingonthefartherbank。
\"I’mgoingtofollowalongtheedgeofthiscliff，\"saidSeppi，\"andyouandthegoatsfollowafterme。I’msureweshallfindaplacewherewecangetdown。I’llkeepcalling，soyou’llknowwhichwaytogo。
Heplungedintotheforestatthewordandwaslosttosight，andLeneli，drivingthegoatsbeforeher，plungedafterhim。Guidedbythesoundofthewaterfall，theyforcedtheirwaythroughunderbrush，overgreatpilesofrocksandaroundperilouscurves，seekingalwaysthelowerlevels，untilatlast，whenshewasalmostreadytogiveupindespair，LeneliheardajoyfulshoutfromSeppiand，hasteningforward，foundhimattheedgeoftheforest，lookingoutoverawiderangeoffoothills。Theforestwasnowbehindthem，andbeforethemlaygreenslopesspangledlikethestarsinthemilkywaywithyellowdaffodilsandbluegentians。
Thegoats，wildwithdelightatseeingfreshpasturage，leapedforwardandbegantobrowse，anddearoldBellosatdownonhishauncheswithhistonguehangingoutandgazeduponthesceneasbenevolentlyasifhisownstomachwerefullinsteadofempty。
Thechildrenweresowearytheythrewthemselvesdowninthegrassbesidehimtorest。
Nowthattheyhadescapedtheperilsoftheforest，italmostseemedtothemforalittlewhileasiftheirtroubleswereover，butbyandbySeppisatupandstudiedthescenebeforethem。Helookedpastthelongslopestotheglacierandtheriverinthevalleybelow。
\"We’vegottogetacrossthatsomehow，\"hesaidtoLeneli，atlast，pointingtothestream，\"andthereareonlytwowaysofdoingit。Whenwegetdownthere，wemusteithergothroughtheriver，oracrosstheglacierwhichfeedsit。\"
\"Wecan’tgothroughit，\"answeredLeneli。\"Wedon’tknowhowdeepitis。\"
\"Thenitwillhavetobetheglacier，\"saidSeppi，\"andI’mgladgoatsaresosure-footed。We’dbetterstartalong，forit’sgettinglatereveryminute，andI’mboundtoreachthatfarm-
housebeforedark。\"Hepointedtoaspeckinthedistance。
\"Oh，dear，\"sighedLeneli，asshefollowedhisfingerwithhereye，\"it’slikedyingtogettoheaven！Supposewefallintocracksintheglacier？\"
\"You’retheworstsupposerIeversaw，\"snappedSeppi。\"Supposewedon’tfallin！Supposewegetacrossallrightwithallthegoats，andsupposethere’sagoodwomanatthefarm-housewhofeedsus，andBellotoo！Supposeshegivesus……whatwouldyoulikebestforsupper，Leneli？\"
\"Oh！\"criedLeneli，claspingherhands，\"soupandpancakes！\"
\"Hurryup，then，\"saidSeppi。\"Weshallsurelynevergetthem，noranythingelse，bystayinghere。\"
Lenelistruggledtoherfeet，andoncemoretheymovedforward。
Halfanhourofbriskwalkingbroughtthemtotheedgeoftheglacier，andhereSeppiarrangedtheirmarchingorder。
\"I’llgofirst，\"hesaid，\"thesameasaguide，thenthegoats，andthenyouandBello。Youmustwatcheverystep，andkeepstickinginyouralpenstocktobesureyouareonsolidice。Ifyoudon’t，youmightstrikeahollowplaceandfallthroughthecrust。\"
\"I’llbecareful，\"saidLeneli。
\"Allright，then！herewego！\"saidSeppi。\"Icanjustsmellthosepancakes！\"andwiththathesetoutacrosstheriverofice。
Thechildrenunderstoodverywellthedangersoftheglaciers。Itwasnotsimplyafrozenstreamonwhichonemightskate。Itwasagreatslow-moving，grindingavalancheoficeandrocks，fullofseamsandcracksandholes，whichwascreepingsteadilydownthevalley。Theriverformedbythemeltingsnows，gushedforthfrombeneathitandrushedawaytojointhelakestillfarbelow。
Eventhegoatsknewitwasaperilousjourney，andbesidestheywereunwillingtoleavetherichgrassofthefields，soitwaswithsomedifficultythattheywerefinallydrivenforwardupontheglacier。Seppiledtheway，blowingonhislittlehorntoencouragethem，tryingeverystepwithhisstick，andwaitingforthemtocatchupbeforegoingfarther。Theywerenearlyhalfwayacross，whenSeppistoppedandcalledtoLenelitostandstill。
Thereinfrontofhimyawnedawidecrevasse。Thefrozenriverhadcrackedopen，andiftheywentforwardinastraightlinetheywouldplungedownintoaniceprisonfromwhichtheycouldneverescapealive。
Itwasthehardestpuzzleandthegreatestdangertheyhadmetintheirwholejourney，andforaminutepoorSeppialmostgaveupindespair。Hethoughttheywouldhavetogobackandtrytheriverafterall。ShoutingtoLenelitokeepthegoatstogetherifshecould，heturnedandmadehiswayup-streamalongtheedgeofthecrevasse。Itgrewnarrowerashefollowedit，andbrokeintoanumberofsmallercracks。
Theonlywaytogettotheothersidewastofollowalongthesesmallercrackswheretheymadeacrookednaturalbridgeacrossthechasm。EvenSeppi’sstoutheartquailedalittleashegazeddownintothedepthsofthehugerifts。Thewallsoficegleamedwithwonderfulgreensandblues，buthehadnohearttoadmirethebeautifulcolors。
\"RememberPeterofLucerne，andcomeon，\"heshoutedbacktoLeneli，andwithoutanotherwordstartedacrossthetreacherousicebridge。Itmadenodifferencewhethershewasfrightenedornot，Lenelisimplyhadtofollowhimeventhoughthegoats，sure-
footedastheywere，shrankfromthejourney，andBellohungbackandwhined。
\"Followexactlyinmyfootsteps，\"shoutedSeppi，andLeneliswallowedalumpinherthroat，graspedheralpenstockmorefirmlyandwentforward。
\"Don’tlookdownintothehole！Lookatthebridgeacrossit！\"
shoutedSeppi。
Hesteppedcarefullyforward，findingsolidfootingwithhisstickbeforeeachstep，andinashorttimestoodsafelyontheothersideofthechasm。Therehewaitedandheldhisbreath，whilethegoatspickedtheirwaydaintilyacrosstheicebridgeafterhim，andwhenLeneliandBelloatlastreachedhisside，hehuggedthembothforjoy。
\"There，\"hesaid，\"therecan’tbeanythingworsethanthat，andwe’llsoonbeongreengrassagain。
Theypassedothersmallercrevasses，buttheycouldmaketheirwayaroundtheendsofthese，anditwasnotlongbeforetheyhadscrambledovertherocksattheglacier’sedgeandoncemorestoodonsolidground。EvenBelloseemedtorealizethattheirtroubleswerenownearlyover，forhebarkedandranroundthemincirclesandleapedupwithhispawsontheirshoulderstogivethemdogkisses，and，asforhistail——henearlywaggeditlooseinhisjoy。Thegoatssprangforwardtoreachthegrass，andwhenthechildrendrovethemon，snatchedgreedymouthfulsastheypassed。Thechildrencouldseethefarm-housegrowingfromamerespecklargerandlargerastheycamedownthevalleytowardit，andatlastthelittlegroupofstragglerspatteredintothedoor-
yard。
Thenoiseofbleatinggoatsandabarkingdogbroughtthefarmer’swifetothedoor，andforamomentshestoodtherewithherbabyinherarmsandlookeddownattheminastonishment，justastheoldherdsmanhaddoneonthemountain。
\"Whereintheworlddidyoucomefrom？\"shecriedatlast。\"Whoareyou？andwhatdoyouwanthere？\"
Leneliopenedhermouthtoanswer，butwhenshesawthewoman’skindface，andthebabysuckingitsthumbandlookingatthemsolemnly，itremindedhersoofhermotherandBabyRoselithat，insteadofexplaining，sheburstintotears。
Thewomanclattereddownthestepsofonce，putherfreearmaroundLeneli，andpattedhercomfortingly，whileSeppitoldhertheirstory。Beforehehadgotfartherthantheavalanchepartofit，sheseemedtoguessalltherest。Itwasnotthefirsttimethatpeoplehadbeenlostonthemountain。
\"Comerightinthisminute，\"shecried。\"Don’tstoptotalk！Youmustbeashungryaswolves。I’llgetyousomethingtoeat，andthenyoucantellmeeveryword。\"
\"Please，\"saidLenelitimidly，dryinghertears，\"couldyougiveBellosomethingfirst？Thegoatshavehadalittlegrassandwehadsomebreadandcheese，butBellohasn’thadabiteallday。\"
\"Blessmysoul！\"saidthewoman。\"Whatalittlewomanitis，tothinkfirstofthedog！Here，\"shecriedtoSeppi；\"takethisbonetohimrightaway，andshutupthegoatsinthebarn-yard。
ThencomebackandI’llgiveyouwhateveryoulikebest，ifI’vegotit！\"
\"Ifyouplease，ma’am，\"saidSeppi，hiseyesshining，\"uponthemountainwhenwewerelost，wesawyourhouseandwejustsupposedthatmaybeyoumighthavesoupandpancakes！\"
\"Blessmysoul！\"criedthewoman。\"Soupandpancakesitshallbe，andthat’ssoonready！\"
SheputthebabyintoLeneli’sarmsandflewaboutthekitchen，rattlingpotsandpans，stirringupthefire，andmixingherbatter；andwhenSeppireturned，thesmellofpancakeswasalreadyintheair，andthesoupwasbubblinginthepot。Infiveminutesmorethechildrenwereseatedatthekitchentablewithsteamingbowlsbeforethem，whiletheirnewfriendcookedapileofpancakesthatitwouldhavewarmedthecocklesofyourhearttosee。
Thefarmerhimselfwasfarawayonthehighalpswithhiscattle，andcamedownthemountainonlyonceinawhilewithaloadofcheesesonhisback。Hiswifewasverylonelyinhisabsenceandwasgladtohavecompany，ifonlyforasinglenight；soshecomfortedthechildrenandtalkedwiththemabouttheirmother，andpiledpancakesontheirplatesuntiltheycouldnotholdanothermouthful。Thenshehelpedthemmilkthegoats，andwhenthesunwentdown，sentthemtobedsotheywouldbewellrestedfortheirlongwalkthenextday。
VI。NEWFRIENDSANDOLD
NEWFRIENDSANDOLD
Whenthechildrencameintothekitchenthenextmorning，theyfoundtheirnewfriendbeatingmushandmilktogetherfortheirbreakfast，andtherewasasmellofcoffeeintheair。
\"Sitrightdownandeat，\"saidshe，pushingastooltowardthetablewithherfoot。\"I’vemilkedthegoatsforyou。Theydidn’tgivemuch，poorthings，andit’snowonder，aftersuchadayastheyhadyesterday！Thewonderisthattheygaveanyatall。I’vemadecoffeeforyou，foryou’vealongdayaheadofyou，anditwillcheerupyourinsides。It’saluckythingforyouthedayissofine。IthoughtIhearditraininthenight，butoldPilatus’
headhasnocloudcapthismorning，andheisagoodweatherprophet。\"
Thebabywasalreadyseatedinherhighchairatthetable，beatinguponitwithaspoontowelcomethem，andthechildrenweresoonseatedbesideherputtingawayagreatstoreofthegoodmush。Thefarmer’swifehadnoonebutthebabytotalktoduringthelongdayswhenherhusbandwasaway，andshemadethemostofhertimewhilethechildrenwerewithher。Shetoldthemallabouthercowsandherpigsandherchickens，justhowmuchhayherhusbandbroughtdownfromhishighlandmeadowonhisbacktheprevioussummer，andhowmanycheesesheexpectedtobringhomefromthealpattheendoftheseason。Andwhenatlasttheyhadeatenalltheycould，sheputupalunchforthem，andgavethemfulldirectionsforreachingtheirownvillage。
\"It’snothardatall，\"saidshe，\"forthoughitisstillalongwaytothefootofthemountain，you’veonlytofollowtheroad，andifyoudon’tknowwhichturntotakeatacross-roads，there’llalwaysbesomebodytoasksomewherealongtheway。Ifyoucouldgetsofardownthemountainandacrosstheglacierbyyourselvesyou’venothingtofearnow，andyou’dbettermakeallthespeedyoucan，formyheartbleedsforyourpoormother。Shemustbehalfdeadwithanxietybynow。\"
Shekissedthemgood-byeatthedoorandstoodwithherbabyonherarm，gazingafterthemwhentheydrovethegoatsoutofthedoor-yardandstarteddownthehighwaytowardtheirhome。Theydidnotforgettothanktheirkindhostess，andaftertheyhadstartedturnedagainandagaintowaveafarewelltoher。Shewavedtotheminreturn，andthebabyalsoflutteredhertinypinkhanduntiltheywerequiteoutofsight。
\"We’llneverforgether，shallwe？\"saidLeneli。
\"Never，\"answeredSeppi，fervently。\"She’salmostasgoodasMother！Anddoesn’tshemakegoodpancakes，though？\"
Theysettheirfacesnorthwardandtrudgedalong，hurryingratherthanslackingtheirspeedasthemileslengthenedbehindthem，forasthedistancebetweenthemandtheirhomeshortened，theireagernesstogetthereincreased。Itwasagoodtwelvemilesfromthefarm-housewheretheyhadspentthenighttotheirownvillage，andamilethissideofthevillageandamileupthemountain-slopewastheirowndearhome。This，tothesturdySwissboyandgirl，broughtupinthemountains，wasnotahardwalk，buttheyknewthatgoatsmustnotbedriventoofastiftheyareexpectedtogiveanymilk，soitwaslateafternoonbeforethecavalcadereachedthefootoftheirownhill-sideandbeganthelastclimbofthewearyjourney。
Thechildrencouldseetheirownroof，weighteddownbystones，peepingovertheedgeofthehilllongbeforetheywereanywherenearit，andtheyfastenedtheirhomesickeyesuponitasasailorfixeshisupontheNorthStaratsea。Nowtheycouldseethewholehouse，withthegoat-shedandcow-stablesbackofit，thestraw-stack，andthesouthernslopeofthegarden。
Theystrainedtheireyesforaglimpseoftheirmother，buttherewasnomovementtobeseenanywhereabouttheplace。Eventhebreezehaddieddown，sotherewasnotsomuchasaflutteramongthetreesastheydrewnearerandnearer。Atlast，unabletoholdthemselvesbacklonger，theybrokeintoarunandcamedashingintotheyardwithallthegoat-bellsjingling，Bellobarking，andtheirownvoicesraisedinajoyfulshout：\"Mother，Mother，whereareyou？We’rehome！\"
Buttotheirsurpriseandgreatdisappointment，therewasnoanswer。Thehousewasasstillasifitwereasleep。LeavingthegoatstoBello，thechildrendashedintothekitchen。Therewasnoonethere，andtherewasnosoundbuttheloudtick-tockofthecuckooclock。Theydashedupstairstothebedroomsandbackagaintothekitchen。Everywheresilence。
\"It’sjustasifthehouseweredeadwhenMotherisn’tinit，\"
sobbedLeneli。\"Wherecanshebe？AndRoselitoo！\"
\"RoseliiswhereMotheris，youmaybesure，\"saidSeppi。
Theyranoutdoorsagain，andfoundBellobarkingmadlyatNanni，whowashavingablissfultimewiththecarrot-tops，whichsherefusedtoleaveevenwhenBello，whoknewverywellsheshouldn’tbeinthegardenatall，nippedatherheels。
\"We’llhavetoshutupthegoats，\"saidSeppi，asherantoBello’sassistance。
Theydrovethemintotheshed，gavethemsomehay，andthenrestedtheirwearylegsforamoment，sitingonthekitchensteps，whiletheyconsideredwhattodonext。
ThenanawfulthoughtstruckLeneli。\"Theavalanche！\"shegasped。
\"Maybeshewascaughtbyit！\"
Seppigrewpaleandgulpeddownasob。\"No，\"hesaid，whenafteramomenthecouldspeak。\"Idon’tbelieveit！There’snosignoftheavalancheabouthere，andMothernevergoesawayfromhome。
She’stryingtofindus；that’swhatshe’sdoing！\"
Lenelicollapsedonthestep。\"Oh，Seppi，\"shecried，\"doyousupposeshe’slostonthemountainjustaswe’vefoundourselvesandgothomeagain？\"Thethoughtwastoomuchforher，andshesobbedafresh。
\"Well，\"saidSeppi，\"cryingwon’tdoanygood。Let’sgoandseeifwecanfindher。\"
Wearyastheywere，theystartedatoncetotheirfeettobeginthisnewquest，eventhoughtheshadowswerelongacrosstheflower-starredmountain-slopesandthesunwasalreadysinkingtowardthewest。
Astheyroundedthecornerofthehouse，Seppigaveajoyfulshoutandpointedupthegoat-pathtowardthemountain。There，alongdistanceoff，theysawtheirmothercomingtowardthemwithBabyRoseliinherarms！Evenatthatdistancetheycouldseethatshelookedwearyandsad，forherheaddroopedandherstepwasslow。Alltheirownwearinessvanishedlikemagicatsightofher，andwithashoutthatwakedtheechoesonoldPilatustheyboundedupthepathtomeether。
Sheheardtheshout，andshadinghereyeswithherhand，lookedeagerlyinthedirectionofthesound，andinanotherminutemotherandchildrenwereclaspedineachother’sarms，whileBabyRoselicrowedwithdelightfromanestinthemidstofgrassandflowerswhereshehadbeensuddenlydeposited。
Foramomenttheygavethemselvesuptothejoyofreunion，thenSeppisaidproudly：\"Webroughtthegoatssafelyhome，Mother。
Theyareallintheshed。\"
\"Ithoughtyouhadbeenswallowedupbytheavalanche，\"sobbedtheirmother，claspingthemagaintoherheart。\"Allthemenofthevillagearenowupthemountainsidesearchingforyouandtryingtobreakafreshpathtothegoat-pastures。Theymustbetoldthatyouaresafe。\"
Shesprangtoherfeet，andstartedbackupthepath。ThenshethoughtofSeppi’shorn。\"Blow，\"shecried，\"blowFritz’stuneifyoucan。Theyallknowit，andsomeofthemarenearenoughtohear。\"
Seppiputthehorntohislipsandblew。Atfirstitwasonlyadismalsquawk；then，thoughitsoundedmuchlikethecrowingofayoungroosterinimitationofanoldone，hedidmanagetoachievethefirstfewnotesofFritz’stune。Soonaheadappearedabovearockfarupthetrail，thenawholemanscrambledtothetopofitandgazedearnestlyatthelittlegroupinthepathbelow。
AgainSeppisoundedhishorn，hismotherflungoutherapronlikeaflagofvictory，andallofthem，includingRoseli，wavedtheirarmssojoyouslythattherewasnomistakingthemessage。Withanansweringshoutthemandroppedoutofsightagainbehindtherock，andafewmomentslatertheysawhimrunningdownthehillsidetowardthevillage。
Soonthechurch-bellwasclangingjoyfullyfromthebelfry，carryingthenewsofthewanderers’safereturntoeveryonewithinhearingdistance。Bellsfromtheadjoiningvillagejoinedtheclamor，andhornsansweringfromdistantcragstoldthegladnews。Thetoilersonthemountain-sideheardandrejoiced。
>Fromthecliffswheretheechoeslivedcameshoutaftershout，andsoonthewomenofthevillage，whohadbeenwatchingwiththedistractedmotherandhelpingintheworkofthemen，camehurryingdownthegoat-pathtowelcomethewanderersandrejoiceovertheirsafereturn。Theywerejoinedbyoneandanotherofthemenastheyreturnedfromthemountain-side，untilquiteagrouphadgatheredintheblossomingfieldtohearthechildrentellthestoryoftheirperilousadventures。TheywerestandingthuswhenthesundippedbehindthewesternhillsandtheAngelusoncemorecalledthecountrysidetoprayer。Withgratefulheartsandbowedheads，neighborsandfriendsgavethankstoGodforhismercies，thenscatteredtotheirownfiresides，leavingthehappymotherandchildrentogether。
Whentheyenteredthekitchenoftheoldfarm-houseoncemore，thetinywoodencuckoohoppedoutofhistinywoodendoorandshouted\"cuckoo\"seventimes，andwhentheyhadeatentheirsupper，andthechildrensatbesidethegreatstovetellingtheirmotheralloveragainabouttheoldherdsman，andtheeagle，andthefarmer’swife，andalltheothereventsoftheirthreedaysonthemountain，thecuckoowaitedfifteenwholeminutesbeyondthehourbeforehecouldmakeuphismindtoremindthemofbed=time。Thenhestuckhisheadoutoncemoreandcried\"cuckoo\"
quitehystericallyeighttimes。EventhentheylingeredtotalkaboutFatherandFritzfarawayinthehighalps，andofhowgladtheywerethattheyknewnothingofthedangersandanxietiestheyhadjustbeenthrough。
\"Dearme！\"saidthemother，risingatlast，\"howfastthetimegoeswhenwearehappy！It’slongpastyourbedhour，andyoumustbeverytired。Wemuststoptalkingthisveryminute！\"
Shesentthechildrenupstairs，tuckedtheminbed，heardtheirprayers，andkissedthemgood-night。Theirshecamebacktothekitchen，pattedBello，whywassoundasleeponthedoorstep，lookedatthemoonrisingoverthecrestofRigi，fastenedthedoor，pulleduptheweightstowindtheclock，and，takinghercandle，wentupstairstobedherself。
Whenatlastthesoundofherfootstepsceased，andthehousewasquietforthenight，thecuckoostuckouthisheadandlookedaboutthesilentkitchen。Themoonlightstreamedinattheeasternwindow，thelittlemousewascreepingfromherhole，andtheshadowswerewhisperingtogetherincorners。
\"Onthewhole，\"saidthecuckootohimself，\"IthinkI’vemanagedthisthingverywell。Everyoneishappyagain，andnowIcantakealittlerestmyself。Thepastthreedayshavebeenverywearyingtoonewithmyresponsibilities。\"
\"Cuckoo，\"hecalledninetimes，thenthetinywoodendoorclappedshut，andhetoowenttosleep。