wly away; the down lay on
one side of him, looking solemn and dark over the trees which grew
very plentifully; Paul thought that he would like to walk upon the
down; so he went up a little leafy lane that seemed to lead to it.
Suddenly, as he passed a small thicket, a voice hailed him; it was a
rich and cheerful voice, and it came from under the trees. He turned
in the direction of the voice, which seemed to be but a few yards off,
and saw, sitting on a green bank under the shade, two figures. One was
a man of middle age, dressed lightly as though for travelling, and
Paul thought somewhat fantastically. His hat had a flower stuck in the
band. But Paul thought little of the dress, because the face of the
man attracted him; he was sunburnt and strong-looking, and Paul at
first thought he must be a soldier; he had a short beard, and his hair
was grown rather long; his face was deeply lined, but there was
something wonderfully good-natured, friendly, and kind about his whole
expression. He was smiling, and his smile showed small white teeth;
and Paul felt in a moment that he could trust him, and that the man
was friendly disposed to himself and all the world; friendly, not in a
servile way, as one who wished to please, but in a sort of prodigal,
royal way, as one who had great gifts to bestow, and was liberal of
them, and looked to be made welcome. The other figure was that of a
boy rather older than himself, with a merry ugly face, who in looking
at Paul, seemed yet to keep a sidelong and deferential glance at the
older man, as though admiring him, and desiring to do as he did in all
things.

"Where go you, pretty boy, alone in the noon-tide?" said the man.

Paul stopped and listened, and for a moment could not answer. Then he
said, "I am going to the down, sir, and I have been"--he hesitated for
a moment--"I have been to the Wishing Well."

"The Wishing Well?" said the man gravely. "I did not know there was
one hereabouts. I thought that every one in this happy valley had been
too well content--and what did you wish for, if I may ask?"

Paul was silent and grew red; and then he said, "Oh, just for my
heart's desire."

"That is either a very cautious or a very beautiful answer," said the
man, "and it gives me a lesson in manners; but will you not sit a
little with us in the shade?--and you shall hear a concert of music
such as I dare say you shall hardly hear out of France or Italy. Do
you practise music, child, the