Page:The Children Who Followed the Piper.djvu/171

WHO FOLLOWED THE PIPER "Alas, alas!" said John Ball.

"But still Valentine and Golden Hood will not be left safely with each other: one more danger awaits them. After their marriage there will be a wedding ball. In the middle of the dance Golden Hood will become pale, and she will draw out of the dance. There will be poison upon her lips and if it stays there for a while she will die. But if one comes forward and kisses the poison off her lips she will live, and the last peril will be passed."

"I will kiss the poison off her lips,'' said John Ball.

"But you must not tell any one why you have kissed the lips of the bride. If you do you will turn into stone from the toes of your feet to the crown of your head."

"Alas, alas!" said John Ball.

He looked over to where Golden Hood was bending above Valentine, and he thought that he would take all the risks of turning into stone rather than that they two should be separated.