were as solemn as a judge's . . . "I think you would make a splendid
mother. You have just the right look in your eyes . . . the look my
little mother always had. I think it's a pity you haven't any boys of
your own."

"I have a little dream boy, Paul."

"Oh, have you really? How old is he?"

"About your age I think. He ought to be older because I dreamed him long
before you were born. But I'll never let him get any older than eleven
or twelve; because if I did some day he might grow up altogether and
then I'd lose him."

"I know," nodded Paul. "That's the beauty of dream-people . . . they stay
any age you want them. You and my beautiful teacher and me myself are
the only folks in the world that I know of that have dream-people. Isn't
it funny and nice we should all know each other? But I guess that kind
of people always find each other out. Grandma never has dream-people and
Mary Joe thinks I'm wrong in the upper story because I have them. But I
think it's splendid to have them. YOU know, Miss Lavendar. Tell me all
about your little dream-boy."

"He has blue eyes and curly hair. He steals in and wakens me with a kiss
every morning. Then all day he plays here in the garden . . . and I play
with him. Such games as we have. We run races and talk with the echoes;
and I tell him stories. And when twilight comes . . ."

"I know," interrupted Paul eagerly. "He comes and sits beside you . . .
SO . . . because of course at twelve he'd be too big to climb into your
lap . . . and lays his head on your shoulder . . . SO . . . and you put
your arms about him and hold him tight, tight, and rest your cheek on
his head . . . yes, that's the very way. Oh, you DO know, Miss
Lavendar."

Anne found the two of them there when she came out of the stone house,
and something in Miss Lavendar's face made her hate to disturb them.

"I'm afraid we must go, Paul, if we want to get home before dark. Miss
Lavendar, I'm going to invite myself to Echo Lodge for a whole week
pretty soon."

"If you come for a week I'll keep you for two," threatened Miss
Lavendar.

XXVIII

The Prince Comes Back to the Enchanted Palace

The last day of school came and went. A triumphant "semi-annual
examination" was held and Anne's pupils acquitted themselves splendidly.
At the close they gave her an address and a writing desk. All the girls
and ladies present cried, and some of the boys had it cast up to them
later on that they cried too, alt