For the last time Cinderella’s voice could be heard faintly—­“Mother!”

And then there was the calm voice of the Masked Lady:  “Now you can see!”

The room was lighted again!  The Masked Lady had arisen from her place.  She was holding the lighted candle above her head.

Not a second was wasted by Everychild.  He hurriedly crossed the room and took the key from its peg.  He unlocked the closet door.

Cinderella thrust the door open and burst into the room.

“I couldn’t leave you there, you know,” said Everychild.

Cinderella regarded him intently.  “You could not leave me there—­no,” she said; “and you shall not leave me in this house, where I meet only indignities and abuse.  Come, I am going with you.”

Not another word was needed.  Hand in hand they approached the outer door.  For a moment Everychild disengaged his hand to remove the bar from before the door.  He opened the door, and then hand in hand they passed the threshold.

As if she were moving quite absent-mindedly the Masked Lady went and closed the door behind them.  She put the bar back in its place.  She pondered a moment and then she re-locked the closet door, replacing the key on its wooden peg.

There was a sound of footsteps approaching; and instantly the light went out, though the Masked Lady had not blown upon it.

Pitch darkness for a moment, then the flash of a light.  The mother of Cinderella was standing near the mantel, lighting the candle, which was back in its place again.  The Masked Lady was seated by the wooden table, polishing spoons.

“I thought I heard a voice!” mused the mother of Cinderella.

She inspected the outer door.  The bar was in its place.  She looked at the closet door.  It was locked.  The key was on its peg.

CHAPTER XI

SOME ONE PASSES WITH A SONG ON THE ROAD OF TROUBLED CHILDREN

The sun came up and filled the woodland with patches of gold.  Birds began to sing.  The forest was awake.

The children began to awaken, one after another:  Hansel, first.  He got up and rubbed his eyes morosely and said, “I’m hungry as a wolf!”

His movements aroused Grettel.  She said, “No wonder, Hansel.  We really must have something to eat.”

Then Everychild stirred; and then Cinderella, who was lying by his side.  Next, the giant, Will o’Dreams, sprang to his feet and viewed the sun-patches far and near, and lifted his arms in delight.  For the moment he quite forgot the threat which Mr. Literal had made against him.  He was perfectly happy.

They all went a little distance and found a brook, where they washed their faces and quenched their thirst.  Then Everychild remarked, “We ought to have breakfast.”

Hansel looked at him almost contemptuously.  “Ought we, indeed!” he exclaimed.  “And I suppose you know where we’re going to get it?”