have a sling,
you know. Now you wait here; I'm going to meet him. I'm not a bit
afraid, though he looks so big, because David wasn't, you know. God
helped him. Now, Goliath, I'm ready!"

Sir Edward looked on in some amusement as Milly stepped out with regular
even steps until she was about twenty feet from the tree, then suddenly
stopped.

"I hear what you say, Goliath. You say you'll give my body to be pecked
at and eaten by the birds; but you won't do that, for I am coming, and I
am going to kill you."

And then with all her strength the child flung her stones one by one at
the tree, pausing for some moments when she had done so.

"He's quite dead, uncle," she said calmly, as she retraced her steps and
stood before Sir Edward, again looking up at him with those earnest eyes
of hers, "quite dead; and if I had a sword I would play at cutting off
his head. I suppose you wouldn't lend me your sword hanging up in the
hall, would you?"

"Most certainly not," was the quick reply. Then taking his cigar from
his mouth, Sir Edward asked:

"And does all your play consist in killing people?"

"I only try to kill the bear and lion and Goliath, because they're so
wicked and so strong."

Milly continued,--

"This is such a lovely place to play in--trees are so nice to have games
with. Shall I tell you some more? Do you see that little tree over
there? That's where I sit when I'm the probable son, and when I've sat
there a long time and been very miserable, and eaten some of the beech
nuts that do for husks, then suddenly I think I will go home to my
father. It's rather a long walk, but I get happier and happier as I go,
and I get to walk very quick at last, and then I run when I see my
father. Do you see that nice big old tree right up there with the red
leaves, uncle? That's him, and I run up and say, 'Father, I have sinned;
I am not fit to come back, but I am so sorry that I left you,' and then
I just hug him and kiss him; and, do you know, I feel he hugs and kisses
me back. He does in the story, you know. And then I have a nice little
feast all ready. I get some biscuits from nurse, and a little jam, and
some sugar and water, and I sit down and feel so happy to think I'm not
the probable son any more, and haven't got to eat husks or be with the
pigs. Don't you think that's a beautiful game, uncle?"

"Do you get all your games from the Bible?" inquired Sir Edward. "I
somehow think it is not quite correct," and he loo