Page 37 - Adventures in shadow-land

Then there came a hurried exclamation of sur-
prise, and Eva looked down from the moon’s

crescent to see that the little figure which she had
taken from the crest of the fountain had suddenly,

as it were, been gifted by her kiss, with life, mo­
tion, and speech> and that he was now standing in

her ]ap> evidently as much astonished at seeing her
as she was at the change which had come over

him.
But their mutual surprise did not last; for tlic

little mannikin began to laugh as Eva's blue eyes
grew larger and rounder, and when at last she

asked, “ Who are you?” he put his head to one
side, in the most comical manner, and, taking off
the plumed cap which he wore, he made her a

very low bow.

“ I know now who you are/’ he said. “ You
are Eva, and you will have to take care of me,—
that is all you were sent here for."

Eva laughed. “ Suppose I should not want to

take care of such a little thing as you are?”
et You will not have any choice in the matter,—
you cannot help yourself. ’f

“ Why?"