our of the day
and night. Cinderella decided it would mean a way of finding the
prince who had danced with her at the ball. And Everychild got no
further than the decision that it would mean something that would make
every day perfectly delightful.

In the meantime the forest had become glorious with the heat and light
of the ascending sun. The waking noises of the birds had given place
to the business of being boldly active. And the children, with a
common impulse, would have resumed their journey. But just at that
moment a traveler was seen to be approaching.

It was Everychild who went forward to salute the traveler, who proved
to be a boy with hanging head and lagging feet. His hands were thrust
into his pockets and there were tear-stains on his cheeks.

"Good morning," said Everychild.

"Don't bother me," said the boy. "I'm running away."

"I didn't see you run," said Everychild.

The boy stopped and looked at Everychild reproachfully. "It's called
running away," he said; "though everybody knows you don't run, and for
that matter, there's no _away_ about it. Mostly you turn around and go
back. But I call it running away just the same. It takes a load off
my mind."

"I know how it is," declared Everychild. "My friends and I have taken
to the road, too; and if you like, you may join us."

The boy thought this over a moment; and at length he said, "I'll do it.
I'll not get any further away, being with others, and it'll not be any
harder to go back, when I weaken. I'm ready to join you now, only it
might look better if I just drop in on my mother for a minute to tell
her good-by."

If seemed to Everychild that perhaps this would be a wise thing to do.
"And shall we wait for you?" he asked.

"You might just go along with me, if the others will wait, to make sure
there isn't any foul play."

To this plan Everychild readily agreed; and after he had explained the
situation to his companions, he set off with the new boy along a path
which branched off from the road.

"My name is Tom," explained the boy. "Tom Hubbard." And after that
they continued their way in silence.

They arrived, after no great journey, at a very prim little house, set
down in a very prim little garden. Curtains hung in the windows just
so, and the door-knob shone like gold. The only friendly thing about
the place was a little black dog with a rough coat and great wistful
eyes, which came running down the walk to leap u