disobeying. So meekly they formed into a procession of seven,
Launomar and the cow going cheerfully at the head. For these two were
very glad to be together again, and his arm was thrown lovingly about
her glossy neck as they went.

But what was the amazement of the five robbers when in a short minute or
two they turned a corner, and there close beside them stood the
monastery itself, with the very barn from which they had stolen Mignon
the night before! All this time the clever cow had led them in great
circles roundabout and roundabout her own home. And after all this
scrambling and wading through the darkness, in the morning they were no
farther on their journey than they had been at the start. What a wise
cow that was! And what a good breakfast of bran porridge and hay and
sweet turnips Launomar gave her to pay for her hard night's work.

The five robbers had a good breakfast too; but perhaps they did not
relish it as Mignon did hers. For their consciences were heavy; besides,
they sat at the monastery table, and all the monks stood by in a row,
saying nothing but pursing up their mouths and looking pious; which was
trying. And when the robbers came to drink their porridge Launomar said
mildly,--

"That is Mignon's milk which you drink, Sirs. It is the best milk in
France, and you are welcome to it for your breakfast to-day, since we
have such reason to be grateful to you for not putting it beyond our
reach forever. Ah, my friends, we could ill spare so worthy a cow, so
good a friend, so faithful a guide. But I trust that you will not need
her services again. Perhaps by daylight you can find your way home
without her if I direct you. The highroad is plain and straight for
honest men. I commend it to you."

So, when they were refreshed and rested, Launomar led them forth and
pointed out the way as he had promised. He and Mignon stood on the crest
of a little hill and watched them out of sight. Then they turned and
looked at one another, the wise Saint and his wise cow.

And they both chuckled inside.

SAINT WERBURGH & HER GOOSE

I.

SAINT WERBURGH was a King's daughter, a real princess, and very
beautiful. But unlike most princesses of the fairy tales, she cared
nothing at all about princes or pretty clothes or jewels, or about
having a good time. Her only longing was to do good and to make other
people happy, and to grow good and wise herself, so that she could do
this all the better. So she studi