I can see it as I go home every night , and it burns up here like a beacon . I always look for it , and it hardly ever fails to be burning . Sort of cheers up the way , you know , when I 'm tired or low in my mind . '' `` Then I 'm very glad I got it . I liked the shape , but the boys laughed at it as they did at my bulrushes in a ginger-jar over there . I 'd been reading about ` household art , ' and I thought I 'd try a little , '' answered Merry , laughing at her own whims . `` You 've got a better sort of household art , I think , for you make people happy and places pretty , without fussing over it . This room is ever so much improved every time I come , though I hardly see what it is except the flowers , '' said Ralph , looking from the girl to the tall calla that bent its white cup above her as if to pour its dew upon her head . `` Is n't that lovely ? I tried to draw it -- the shape was so graceful I wanted to keep it . But I could n't . Is n't it a pity such beautiful things wo n't last forever ? '' and Merry looked regretfully at the half-faded one that grew beside the fresh blossom . `` I can keep it for you . It would look well in plaster . May I ? '' asked Ralph . `` Thank you , I should like that very much . Take the real one as a model -- please do ; there are more coming , and this will brighten up your room for a day or two . '' As she spoke , Merry cut the stem , and , adding two or three of the great green leaves , put the handsome flower in his hand with so much good-will that he felt as if he had received a very precious gift .
Then he said good-night so gratefully that XXXXX 's hand quite tingled with the grasp of his , and went away , often looking backward through the darkness to where the light burned brightly on the hill-top -- the beacon kindled by an unconscious Hero for a young Leander swimming gallantly against wind and tide toward the goal of his ambition .
Merry Ralph blossom bulrushes burns calla day ginger-jar good-will night