有声英语儿童童话故事 海的女儿 第43章

 “After three hundred years, thus shall we float into the kingdom ofheaven,” said she. “And we may even get there sooner,” whispered one of her companions.“Unseen we can enter the houses of men where there are children, and for everyday on which we find a good child that is the joy of his parents and deservestheir love, our time of probation is shortened. The child does not know, whenwe fly through the room, that we smile with joy at his good conduct—for we cancount one year less of our three hundred years. But when we see a naughty or awicked child we shed tears of sorrow, and for every tear a day is added to ourtime of trial.”