Angels and Women (1924)

128 ANGELS AND WOMEN
The road was broad, so that a score of
chariots could pass at once. Upon its borders
were gardens of exceeding beauty, a
paradise of fountains and flowers. Stately
peacocks paced the white walks, birds of
gorgeous plumage flitted through the shrubbery,
and golden fishes darted across the
crystal basins.
Beyond these gardens stood beautiful palaces,
sculptured with various devices. Before
every mansion stood a slender obelisk,
entwined with living vines now full of scarlet
blossoms. Upon the green turf were little
people disporting in capricious joy. They
were the first I had ever seen, and in a transport
of admiration, I exclaimed: "Oh, the
children, the beautiful children!"
Minerva looked upon me with surprise.
"You were brought up in a forest, and have
never before seen children, and yet you recognize
them at once and give them their
appropriate name. And so it is in all things.
Without mistake you accord to new and un-