And the best thing you can now do is , to let me go again . Then I might remember you sometimes , and think that you were as kind as you knew how to be . Perhaps , too , one day or other , I might come back , and pay you a visit . '' `` No , no , '' answered Pluto , with his gloomy smile , `` I will not trust you for that . You are too fond of living in the broad daylight , and gathering flowers . What an idle and childish taste that is ! Are not these gems , which I have ordered to be dug for you , and which are richer than any in my crown -- are they not prettier than a violet ? '' `` Not half so pretty , '' said Proserpina , snatching the gems from Pluto 's hand , and flinging them to the other end of the hall . `` O my sweet violets , shall I never see you again ? '' And then she burst into tears . But young people 's tears have very little saltness or acidity in them , and do not inflame the eyes so much as those of grown persons ; so that it is not to be wondered at , if , a few moments afterwards , Proserpina was sporting through the hall almost as merrily as she and the four sea nymphs had sported along the edge of the surf wave . King Pluto gazed after her , and wished that he , too , was a child . And little Proserpina , when she turned about , and beheld this great king standing in his splendid hall , and looking so grand , and so melancholy , and so lonesome , was smitten with a kind of pity . She ran back to him , and , for the first time in all her life , put her small , soft hand in his . `` I love you a little , '' whispered she , looking up in his face . `` Do you , indeed , my dear child ? '' cried Pluto , bending his dark face down to kiss her ; but Proserpina shrank away from the kiss , for , though his features were noble , they were very dusky and grim . `` Well , I have not deserved it of you , after keeping you a prisoner for so many months , and starving you besides . Are you not terribly hungry ? Is there nothing which I can get you to eat ? ''
In asking this question , the king of the mines had a very cunning purpose ; for , you will recollect , if XXXXX tasted a morsel of food in his dominions , she would never afterwards be at liberty to quit them .
Pluto Proserpina day daylight first gems months nothing saltness violets