Then here's goodby to the old black Crow,
And the rest, with a one, two, three!
And here's goodby to the Hollow, Hollow, Hollow —
Good-by to the Hollow Tree.
GOOD-BYE TO THE LITTLE LADY
WHAT SHE WISHES AND WHAT THE STORY TELLER SAYS
The Little Lady looks into the fire thoughtfully.
"And isn't there any more about the Hollow Tree?" she says at last.
The Story Teller looks into the fire, too.
"I'm afraid not," he answers.
"And won't you never know any more? Not ever – in a thousand days?"
"I – no, I'm afraid not."
"I wish we lived in a Hollow Tree," says the Little Lady.
From the House of Many Windows the Story Teller looks down on the dazzling lights and the clatter and jangle of the street. Then he remembers cool, musky ways in the dim woods, down which the padded feet of the forest people pass silently to hidden homes of peace. The Story Teller sighs.
"Yes, sweetheart," he says, "I have wished that sometimes, too."
THE END
notes
1
The Three Friends, page 136.