"You've come alive with the other statues in the moonlight," Mabel gently explained to Kathleen.
"Why aren't you afraid of me?" asked Kathleen.
"I have the ring," said Mabel.
"Maybe we can find out more about this magic place.
That is, if the other statues will talk to us."
"Apollo was very nice," said Kathleen.
"He's swimming in the lake now."
The girls walked to the lake and sat on the grass to wait for Apollo.
"Hello, little sister," said Apollo, emerging from the lake.
"Who's your friend?"
"This is Mabel," said Kathleen.
"How can you see us, and why aren't you afraid?" asked Apollo.
Mabel showed him the ring.
"Now I understand.
You should become a statue and swim with us."
"I can't swim," said Mabel.
"Me neither," said Kathleen.
"You can swim," Apollo said to Kathleen.
"All statues that come to life are excellent swimmers."
Again he urged Mabel to become a statue.
"This ring . . . ," she said hesitantly.
"You wish for things and you never know how long they'll last."
Apollo explained that she must set a time limit on the ring's powers.
"We'll swim to the island and feast with the gods," he said.
"Oh, I'm so hungry!" said Kathleen. "Do it, Mabel!"
So Mabel decided to become a statue.
First she removed her shoes and stockings.
She didn't think they'd look nice in marble!
Then she said, "I wish I could be a statue of living marble until dawn.
After that I want to return to normal."
Mabel turned into a statue.
Apollo and the girls ran to the lake and jumped in.
The girls were delighted that they could swim with ease.
When they reached the island, Apollo led them to a pool.
All around the pool were statues of gods and goddesses.
And they were all alive.
Some were dancing.
Some were splashing their feet in the pool.
Apollo introduced the girls.
A goddess placed a wreath on everyone's head.
Then the feast began.
A young woman named Psyche handed them ripe pomegranates.
"I wish the boys were here!" Kathleen said.
"I wonder what they're doing," said Mabel.
Hermes landed on the grass.
"They climbed out a window, and now they're looking for you."
"It's easy to wish them here," said Apollo.
Kathleen took the ring.
"I wish the boys could be statues of living marble until dawn.
Afterward I want them to return to normal."
"You should have wished them here," said Apollo.
"But Hermes will fetch them and explain everything to them."
He held up the ring.
"The ring is the heart of the magic."
Then he gave the ring back to Kathleen.
"We don't usually question guests," said Hera, the queen of the gods.
"But everyone is interested in your ring.
How did you get it?"
Just then the boys arrived.
They hugged the girls.
They feasted. Then Mabel told the story of the ring.
"How do you come alive?" Gerald asked Apollo.
"All statues can do it in the moonlight," said Apollo.
"You've seen us because you wore the ring.
But on one night of the year, anyone can see us in certain temples.
One of those temples is in this great garden."
Then Apollo picked up a lyre.
Kathleen leaned against Psyche as Apollo played.
The music was so beautiful that everyone felt at peace.
Then suddenly Apollo cried, "Dawn is coming!
To your pedestals!"
The gods leaped up and ran away.
"What's the secret of the ring?" Mabel called after them.
"Ask at the Temple of Strange Stones in five days,"
said Hermes as he flew away.