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She was beginning to feel rather tired, and it certainly was very comfortable at the bottom of the boat, with the nice warm feather-mantle well tucked round her. "Who will row?" she said sleepily. "You can't, cuckoo, with your tiny little claws, you could never hold the oars, I'm " "Hush!" said the cuckoo; and whether he rowed or not Griselda never knew.

I have nothing on but my night-gown. I never thought of it before, for I'm not a bit cold." "Never mind," said the cuckoo, "I'll soon have that put to rights." He flew off, and was back almost immediately, followed by a whole flock of butterflies. They were of a smaller kind than Griselda had hitherto seen, and they were of two colours only; half were blue, half yellow.

These companions were Ambition and Death, but they were so splendidly arrayed you never would have recognized them. "Does the Lady Griselda abide here?" asked the messenger. "She does," replied old Charlotte, courtesying very low, for the brilliant attire of the strangers dazzled her. "I have a message from the king," said the messenger. Old Charlotte could hardly believe her ears.

"I could show you pictures without your taking any trouble." "Oh yes, that would be beautiful," cried Griselda. "What pictures will you show me? Oh, I know. I would like to see the place where you were born where that very, very clever man made you and the clock, I mean." "Your great-great-grandfather," said the cuckoo. "Very well. Now, Griselda, shut your eyes. First of all, I am going to sing."

"Would you like to see for yourself, Griselda?" he said. "There would be about time to do it," he added to himself, "and it would fulfil her other wish, too." "See the moon for myself, do you mean?" cried Griselda, clasping her hands. "I should rather think I would. Will you really take me there, cuckoo?" "To the other side," said the cuckoo. "I couldn't take you to this side." "Why not?

"Yes, I've found it. I'll tuck it all round me like a rug that's it. I am so warm now, cuckoo." "Here goes, then," said the cuckoo, and off they set. Had ever a little girl such a flight before? Floating, darting, gliding, sailing no words can describe it. Griselda lay still in delight, gazing all about her. "How lovely the stars are, cuckoo!" she said. "Is it true they're all great, big suns?

"Every room has so many doors, and you come back to where you were just when you think you are ever so far off. I shall never be able to find my way about." "Oh yes, you will, my dear, very soon," said her aunt encouragingly. "She is very kind," thought Griselda; "but I wish she wouldn't call my lessons tasks. It makes them sound so dreadfully hard.

Griselda climbed up the bank, and as from there she could look down on the butterfly show, she saw it beautifully. The long strings of butterflies twisted in and out of each other in the most wonderful way, like ribbons of every hue plaiting themselves and then in an instant unplaiting themselves again.

All the way home Griselda felt in a fever of impatience to rush up to the ante-room and see if the cuckoo was all right again. It was late and dark when the chariot at last stopped at the door of the old house. Miss Grizzel got out slowly, and still more slowly Miss Tabitha followed her. Griselda was obliged to restrain herself and move demurely.

"Hush!" said the cuckoo, "we've got other things to talk about. First, shall I lend you one of my mantles? You may feel cold." "I don't just now," replied Griselda; "but perhaps I might." She looked at her little bare feet as she spoke, and wondered why they weren't cold, for it was very chilblainy weather.