“I would certainly not go without you, Mother,” said Gloomy firmly. “It may be that we are both unworthy of such a wonderful privilege. I am sure I am.”

“Let us go and see the Shepherd,” said Mrs. Dismal after a little pause. “I do really believe that it is possible that he would take you there, Gloomy. At least we may perhaps ask him and see what he says. It is just midday now and he and the flock will be resting somewhere in the pastures, perhaps not too far away. Let us try to find him.”

So they went together along the path which Much-Afraid had so often followed toward the open pastures. And there, to their thankful joy, they did find the Shepherd resting in the shade of some great trees. He welcomed them so graciously that both mother and daughter plucked up heart. First they told him where they had come from and how Mrs. Valiant, Mercy, and Grace and Glory had all gone off to the home of Self-Pity, who was dangerously ill, to see whether they could do anything to help.

“Ah!” said the Shepherd thoughtfully, “so they have gone to try to help Self-Pity, have they?”

“Yes, and they looked so happy,” said Gloomy timidly, “just as they do when they are starting for the High Places with you, Shepherd.”

“Is that so?” said he smiling slightly. “What do you know about the High Places, Gloomy?”

“Nothing,” she answered sorrowfully, “except that it is where you took my cousin, Much-Afraid, and gave her ‘hinds’ feet’ and changed her name.” Then she added passionately, “Oh, if only mother and I could go there too!”

“Of course you can go there,” answered the Shepherd at once. “You have only to ask me to take you!”

They stared at him with almost incredulous joy. Then Mrs. Dismal Forebodings asked: “Do you really mean it? But we have only just entered your service, Shepherd, and Much-Afraid worked for you for years before you took her there.”

“You have waited many more years before entering my service than Much-Afraid did,” said the Shepherd with his lovely, gentle smile, “but you do not have to wait as long as she did before you ask me to take you to the High Places. If you really want to go, I will take you at once.”

They went right up to him, took his hands and said both together, “Oh, we do want it! We want it more than anything else in the world. Please take us there that we may receive new names and be changed completely.”