Those who have followed a dim , winding , balsamic path to the unexpected hollow where a wood-spring lies have found the rarest secret the forest can reveal . Such was our good fortune that day . At the end of our path we found it , under the pines , a crystal-clear thing with lips unkissed by so much as a stray sunbeam . `` It is easy to dream that this is one of the haunted springs of old romance , '' said Uncle Blair . '' 'T is an enchanted spot this , I am very sure , and we should go softly , speaking low , lest we disturb the rest of a white , wet naiad , or break some spell that has cost long years of mystic weaving . '' `` It 's so easy to believe things in the woods , '' said the Story Girl , shaping a cup from a bit of golden-brown birch bark and filling it at the spring . `` Drink a toast in that water , Sara , '' said Uncle Blair . `` There 's not a doubt that it has some potent quality of magic in it and the wish you wish over it will come true . '' The Story Girl lifted her golden-hued flagon to her red lips . Her hazel eyes laughed at us over the brim . `` Here 's to our futures , '' she cried , `` I wish that every day of our lives may be better than the one that went before . '' `` An extravagant wish -- a very wish of youth , '' commented Uncle Blair , `` and yet in spite of its extravagance , a wish that will come true if you are true to yourselves . In that case , every day WILL be better than all that went before -- but there will be many days , dear lad and lass , when you will not believe it . '' We did not understand him , but we knew Uncle Blair never explained his meaning . When asked it he was wont to answer with a smile , `` Some day you 'll grow to it . Wait for that . '' So we addressed ourselves to follow the brook that stole away from the spring in its windings and doublings and tricky surprises . `` A brook , '' quoth Uncle Blair , `` is the most changeful , bewitching , lovable thing in the world . It is never in the same mind or mood two minutes . Here it is sighing and murmuring as if its heart were broken .
But listen -- yonder XXXXX the birches it is laughing as if it were enjoying some capital joke all by itself . ''
In as at by from lest over than that to