The Dreamer of Dreams

t and dances before me

go

nd brick, and before nearly each small window bunches of scarlet geraniums bloomed in profusion,-a sleepy little place, where the grey cats lazily slept in the middle of the pa

y were heard long before the walker came into sight. He was a quite young man, tired but light of step, and his uncovered head shone like gold in the sunshine. Round his neck he wore a heavy golden chain, and his clothes were new; within his eyes there

ad little song broke from his lips, whilst the sound of his strong stick on the cobble stones had a cheery note that echoed al

was a long road that would lead him on and on until he reached his goal. And his goal might be reached any day, any

eady to open their doors to him; so he feared neither hunge

flute from his pocket, and began to play soft little runs up and down; h

xcept the sweet notes of his flute. So absorbed was he that he did not hear the

r face lined with many wrinkles, her eyes dim and tired. Eri

, so she hobbled away shaking her head, turning round more than once to look again at

It was wonderful the peace it gave him; he needed nothing else-d

hung down over his head; a faint breeze fanned t

g the beauty of their colour, letting them drop th

oice singing softly some old, old song. The notes rose and

t could see only the red flowe

the voice that sounded like a bird singing in a

rts of other youths, but it dawned upon him that the voice w

a mist, because we know that since that f

espoke the simple trust of a pure soul.... Now, moved by some irresistible impulse, Eric walked into the house, and, led by the glorious voice, climbed the n

e drew stitch after stitch through the snow-white linen, and the hand which held t

There was nothing sad in her tune, it was all hope and joy and sweetness. Behind her head the geraniums made a fiery haze where the sun smote upon them wi

arching for. To-day, to-morrow, this hou

d on, from one song to another, the sweetness of her vo

nds pressed against his breast, waited in

but it was towards t

ed far out over the red geraniums

stood watching. With a little cry of fear she crumpled the wh

round to the light, peering with a hungry longing into her eyes.... All was done in a flash; the astonis

o again, and putting his two hands over his face,

is stick and flute, then ran as if possessed; and before long he had left the sleepy red-roofed little t