`` I think there IS such a place -- in spite of Uncle Edward , '' said the Story Girl dreamily , `` and I think there is a way of getting there too , if we could only find it . '' Well , the Story Girl was right . There is such a place as fairyland -- but only children can find the way to it . And they do not know that it is fairyland until they have grown so old that they forget the way . One bitter day , when they seek it and can not find it , they realize what they have lost ; and that is the tragedy of life . On that day the gates of Eden are shut behind them and the age of gold is over . Henceforth they must dwell in the common light of common day . Only a few , who remain children at heart , can ever find that fair , lost path again ; and blessed are they above mortals . They , and only they , can bring us tidings from that dear country where we once sojourned and from which we must evermore be exiles . The world calls them its singers and poets and artists and story-tellers ; but they are just people who have never forgotten the way to fairyland . As we sat there the Awkward Man passed by , with his gun over his shoulder and his dog at his side . He did not look like an awkward man , there in the heart of the maple woods . He strode along right masterfully and lifted his head with the air of one who was monarch of all he surveyed . The Story Girl kissed her fingertips to him with the delightful audacity which was a part of her ; and the Awkward Man plucked off his hat and swept her a stately and graceful bow . `` I do n't understand why they call him the awkward man , '' said Cecily , when he was out of earshot . `` You 'd understand why if you ever saw him at a party or a picnic , '' said Felicity , `` trying to pass plates and dropping them whenever a woman looked at him . They say it 's pitiful to see him . '' `` I must get well acquainted with that man next summer , '' said the Story Girl . `` If I put it off any longer it will be too late . I 'm growing so fast , Aunt Olivia says I 'll have to wear ankle skirts next summer .
If I begin to look grown-up he 'll get frightened XXXXX me , and then I 'll never find out the Golden Milestone mystery . ''
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