Page:Sologub Sweet Scented Name.djvu/175

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The Keys

A SKELETON-KEY said to her neighbour:

"I go about everywhere, but you lie still. Where have I not been, but you've always remained at home. What are you thinking about?"

The old key did not want to answer, but she said:

"There is a strong oaken door. I lock it, and when the time comes I unlock it again."

"Well," said the skeleton-key, "but aren't there a great many doors in the world?"

"I don't need to know about any other doors," said the key. "I can't open them."

"Can't you? But I can open every door!"

And the skeleton-key thought to herself:

"This key is really stupid if it can only open one door." But the key said to her:

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