the cruel king, their companions had remained in the old house at the
foot of the hill, and great was their delight when the two who had been
absent returned, bringing with them Prince Arthur, toward whom all the
children felt immediately drawn.

It was quickly decided that the prince should be allowed to rest before
they resumed their journey; and as they were very comfortable where
they were, they agreed not to stir until the next day. They still had
an abundance to eat; and besides, they had not yet explored the walled
garden, very shady and inviting, which they could see from the kitchen
windows.

In the afternoon, then, they all invaded the walled garden, where they
found much to gladden their hearts. The juniper trees were quite
perfect; and the flowers, though they had been so long neglected,
seemed really to have been waiting for them. The different kinds of
flowers each had a bed of their own; the larkspur and poppies and
coxcomb and hollyhocks and columbines, and each seemed to lean forward
and say, "Come and see us! Come and see us!" And so the children made
the rounds of the garden, visiting each variety of flower.

At last they sat down on the stone benches which surrounded a fine
grass-plot with an ancient sundial in the middle.

Many of the children were content to sit quietly and rest; but Little
Bo-Peep and Little Boy Blue, being very young, and naturally rather
playful, could not restrain themselves, and they took their places on
the grass and began to play. They looked simply charming: Little
Bo-Peep being dressed in a white frock with short sleeves having any
number of flounces. She wore a Gainesborough hat of delicate
materials, with cherry ribbons ending in tassels of the same color
hanging down behind. She also wore red slippers having buckles set
with rubies.

Little Boy Blue was arrayed in blue rompers, cunningly made of one
piece, and very ample.

It seemed that they had long resided close to each other, and had often
played together; and now, almost without any pre-arrangement at all,
they began a game which consisted of singing and dancing.

[Illustration: They began a game which consisted of singing and
dancing.]

They stood facing each other on the grass, and Little Boy Blue began
the following song:

"Oh, Little Bo-Peep, when the sun is shining
And the birds are up in the tree;
When there's never a cause for sad repining,
And we're happy as we can be;
W