e hasn't,' said Purity, and she just hopped up and down, she was so
glad. 'He hasn't gone, because he wasn't there!'

"'He _isn't_ there!' said the man, over and over. 'He _isn't_ there!' and
he looked so happy--oh, as happy as if it was his birthday or something.

"So they walked along out into the sunshine again, and sweeter flowers than
ever were growing all around them, and a bird that was near began singing a
new song that the man had never heard.

"There was a lovely green mountain ahead of them now. 'Purity,' said the
man, for something suddenly came into his head, 'is this the Heavenly
Country?'

"'Yes,' said Purity, and she clapped her hands for joy because the man knew
it was.

"They walked along and the bird's notes were louder and sweeter. 'I
_think_, said the man softly, 'I think he is singing the song of true
delight.'

"'He is,' said Purity.

"So, when they had walked a little farther still, they began to see a
splendid castle at the foot of the mountain.

"'Oh,' said the man, just as happily as anything, 'is that home at
_last_!'

"'Yes,' said Purity, 'it is the Castle of True Delight.'

"The man felt young and strong and he walked so fast the little girl had to
skip along to keep up with him, and the bird flew around their heads and
sang 'Love, love, love; _true_ delight, _true_ delight,' just as _plain_."

* * * * *

Jewel gave the bird-song realistically, then she unclasped her hands.
"Mother," she said, turning to Mrs. Evringham, "now you finish the story.
Will you?"

"Yes, indeed, I know the rest," returned Mrs. Evringham quietly, and she
took up the thread:--

* * * * *

"As the man and Purity drew near to the great gates before the castle,
these flew open of their own accord, and the travelers entered. Drawing
near the velvet green of the terraces, a curious familiarity in the fair
scene suddenly impressed the man. He stared, then frowned, then smiled. A
great light streamed across his mind.

"'Purity,' he asked slowly, 'is this my castle?'

"'Yes,' she answered, watching him with eyes full of happiness.

"'And will you live with me here, my precious child?'

"'Always. The great King wills it so.'

"'But what--where--where is the Valley of Vain Regret?'

"Purity shook her head and her clear eyes smiled. 'There is no Valley of
Vain Regret,' she answered.

"'But I lived in it,' said the man.

"'Yes, before yo