Everychild

said. "I thought you did; but you ran so fast-I couldn't be sure where you

ips pressed against her cheek. "Have I-have

anions," he said. "We were lying down. I saw you hurry by. I could t

ice boy," she said. "But it's fearfully late for yo

d Everychild. "There's somethin

ome in." She stood aside, watching him with a

the Masked Lady. She had put aside her shepherdess's crook and had become a house-servant.

had occupied; and when Cinderella followed

t you wished to kno

he began, "Your mother-does she whip you? You know,

d. "She doesn't whip me," she said. "If it were only being whipped I shouldn't mind s

ychild. "You were really in a dreadful state,

to be praised or loved; to have your mother look at you coldly, and say nothing-or just to have her pay no atten

know what you mean," he declared. "Not to have them

y. "Child, what do you know o

"Our mothers were like tha

said, "Yo

lained Everychild. "And the

ve heard how their parents took them out into the wo

in. They're going with me.

interrupted

Everychild. "That's what I wanted to t

e said, "I wonder if it would be really wise to do that. Sometim

She was still polishing spoons slowly. Now she said, without looking up, "Our hearts

to have you go too," dec

r chin in her palm and gazed at the floor. Her eyes p

f and began looking about for her old slippers. She looked here and there. She found them at last under the bed. She took them into her hands and turned them over and

ming!" she whis

sprang to

m afraid there'll be trouble. Please run away. N

g. He would have run away, then, but it was too late; and Cinderella seized him by

nder Cinderella's bed! From his hiding-place under the bed he saw th

mother, who began im

rl, you are her

d. "I am here, mother,"

ur fine clo

her?" said Cinderella

han your poor dear sisters can afford to wear, did not deceive me. And the prince dancing with you shamelessly w

to deceive you, mother. I've had so little experience in doing so. You know I've always been obedient-always before. Decei

hat? Oh, you sha

et door. "Come, to bed with you!" she exclaimed. "In the closet! It will do very well for such as you. I'll ha

tion was, Cinderella cried in

ed a key from its peg on the wall and unlocked the closet door. With one movement she fo

els she wore to-night?-she'll not be able to show her face again until I come to let her out. I wore a gracious manner,

candle on the mantel and left the ro

came from the locked c

be heard speaking cautiously, "Wait, Ci

closet was heard ag

e: "I must make a light, s

rella's voice could be

alm voice of the Masked

ady had arisen from her place. She was h

hurriedly crossed the room and took the ke

the door open and

you there, you kno

-no," she said; "and you shall not leave me in this house, wher

or a moment Everychild disengaged his hand to remove the bar from before th

he door behind them. She put the bar back in its place. She pondered a moment

g; and instantly the light went out, thou

lla was standing near the mantel, lighting the candle, which was back in its

voice!" mused the m

in its place. She looked at the closet d