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?"

"We must think," said Everychild.

And at that very moment there was the sound of some one coming along
the road, singing. They all looked to see who it was.

"Aladdin!" exclaimed Everychild excitedly.

It was indeed Aladdin. His pigtail hung down adorably and his rosy
mouth expressed nothing but happiness. He was singing--

"Tla-la-la . . . tla-la-la . . ."

He perceived the children standing in a row, gazing at him