"Dearest mother," answered Proserpina, ??
will tell you the whole truth. Until this vurj
morning, not a morsel of food had passed my
lips. But to-day, they brought me a pome-
granate, (a very dry one it was, and all shriv-
elled up, till there was little left of it but seeds
and skin,) and having seen no fruit for so long a
time, and being faint with hunger, I was tempted
just to bite it. The instant I tasted it, King
Pluto and Quicksilver came into the room. I
had not swallowed a morsel; but dear mother,
I hope it was no harm but six of the pome-
granate seeds, I am afraid, remained in my
mouth."

"Ah, unfortunate child, and miserable me!"
exclaimed Ceres. "For each of those six pome-
granate seeds you must spend one month of
every year in King Pluto's palace. You are but
half restored to your mother. Only six months
with me, and six with that good-for-nothing
King of Darkness! 5

"Do not speak so harshly of poor King Pluto,"
said Proserpina, kissing her mother. "He has
Borne very good qualities; and I really think I
can bear to spend six months in his palace, if he

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v?