thistledown

Still he clung to the little thistledown of hope that he should have plenty of time to cram it before the form were called up.

For Winnie, dark as Kathlyn was light, was as careless and aimless as thistledown in the wind.

The combined burden would lie light as thistledown on my shoulders.

It was yesterday but a straw—to-day it is but the thistledown; but I will cling to it to the last moment.

Tireless as thistledown that rolls here and there at the will of the wind, up she sprang and began to dance.