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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/30955-h.zip b/30955-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f123ad2 --- /dev/null +++ b/30955-h.zip diff --git a/30955-h/30955-h.htm b/30955-h/30955-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..441e1cc --- /dev/null +++ b/30955-h/30955-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,2380 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Princess Idleways, by Mrs. W. J. Hays. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Princess Idleways, by Mrs. W. J. Hayes + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Princess Idleways + A Fairy Story + +Author: Mrs. W. J. Hayes + +Release Date: January 13, 2010 [EBook #30955] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PRINCESS IDLEWAYS *** + + + + +Produced by Annie McGuire. This book was produced from +scanned images of public domain material from The Internet +Archive. + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_I"><b>CHAPTER I.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_II"><b>CHAPTER II</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_III"><b>CHAPTER III.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><b>CHAPTER IV.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_V"><b>CHAPTER V.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><b>CHAPTER VI.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><b>CHAPTER VII.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><b>CHAPTER VIII.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><b>CHAPTER IX.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_X"><b>CHAPTER X.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><b>CHAPTER XI.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XII"><b>CHAPTER XII.</b></a></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 518px;"> +<img src="images/ill_001.jpg" width="518" height="700" alt=""I HAVE BROUGHT MY LITTLE DAUGHTER TO YOU, MY FRIEND."—[PAGE 19." title="" /> +<span class="caption">"I HAVE BROUGHT MY LITTLE DAUGHTER TO YOU, MY FRIEND."—[PAGE 19.]</span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h1>The Princess Idleways</h1> + +<h2><i>A FAIRY STORY</i></h2> + +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h2>MRS. W. J. HAYS<br /><br /><br /></h2> + +<h2>ILLUSTRATED<br /><br /><br /></h2> + +<h4>NEW YORK AND LONDON</h4> + +<h4>HARPER & BROTHERS PUBLISHERS<br /><br /><br /></h4> + +<p class="center">Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1879, by</p> + +<p class="center">HARPER & BROTHERS,</p> + +<p class="center">In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<p>You must not suppose that the Princess Idleways was a great, grand +woman, for she was not: she was only a little lovely girl named Laura. +To be sure, she was of high birth; that is to say, her father and +grandfather and great-grandfather, as well as all the fine lady +grandmothers, were people who, not obliged to labor for themselves or +others, having always had more time and wealth and pleasure than they +knew what to do with, were something like the beautiful roses which grow +more and more beautiful with planting and transplanting, and shielding +from too hot a sun or too sharp a wind; but, for all that, roses, as you +know, have thorns.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span></p> + +<p>Little Laura Idleways was as bright and bewitching in appearance as any +rosebud, but she had a few thorns which could prick. She lived in a +great castle high up in the mountains, from the windows of which she +could see hill after hill stretching far away up to the clouds, and +eagles flapping their great wings over deep ravines, down which tumbled +foaming cascades. The castle was a very ancient building, and part of it +was nearly a ruin; indeed, it was so old that Laura's father—who was a +soldier, and not much at home—had decided not to repair it, but allowed +the stones to fall, and would not have them touched; so the wild vines +grew luxuriantly over them, and made a beautiful drapery. But the part +of the castle in which Laura lived was no ruin. The thick walls kept it +cool in summer and warm in winter, and made nice deep seats for the +windows, which were hung with heavy folds of crimson silk. The walls +were covered with superb paintings, the wide rooms were beautiful with +all manner of comforts<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> and luxuries. Low divans of rich and soft +material, ottomans and rugs of Persian and Turkish wool, statues and +statuettes of marble, graceful forms, filled the corners and the niches. +Birds of many colors sang in golden cages, and curious cuckoo-clocks +chimed the hours. Laura's mamma was a fine musician, and her harp and +piano were always ready to yield sweet tones. The library shelves held +books of all kinds and colors; and the cabinets of richly carved wood, +before the glass doors of which Laura often stood, contained rare +shells, minerals, stuffed birds and insects, and strange foreign things +that a child could only wonder about.</p> + +<p>Of all places in which to play "hide-and-seek," this castle was the +best—it had so many nooks and corners, such little cosy turns in the +stairs, such odd cupboards, such doors in strange places, so many quaint +pieces of furniture to hide behind—and yet Laura never played +hide-and-seek.</p> + +<p>There was a delicious garden, too, full of fragrant bushes and arbors +and rustic seats, and two<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> fountains rained liquid diamonds into marble +basins. But Laura did not play in the garden.</p> + +<p>The truth is, Laura was a petted, spoiled, wayward little creature, +always depending upon others for entertainment, too lazy to amuse +herself, and much less inclined to study or to find happiness in being +useful.</p> + +<p>She had nurses and governesses. She had toys and trinkets, and the +latter were of about as much service as the former. Her mother had +always loved her fondly, but even she began to see that something was +amiss with Laura, and to think her little child needed something she +could not buy for her. Absorbed in her books, her music, and her +embroidery, Laura's mother was constantly occupied; but, strange to say, +she seemed to forget that Laura, too, might need occupation. One day +Laura's mamma went alone on an excursion into the woods. She had seemed +very much distressed. Her maid noticed that she had been intently +regarding Laura for several days, and had spoken of the child's +unhappiness.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p> + +<p>When she returned from her excursion with tearful eyes, and bade Laura +be ready for a little journey on the following day, every one in the +castle became alarmed.</p> + +<p>The nurses put their caps together and whispered. Even Polly on her +perch screamed out, "What's the matter? what's the matter?" but no one +took any notice of her. Laura did not know whether to be pleased or +displeased; but she was, of course, inclined to sulk about it, rather +than to clap her hands with glee and shout for joy.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 439px;"> +<img src="images/ill_002.jpg" width="439" height="500" alt=""THEY FOUND HER, CURLED UP IN A LITTLE HEAP, FAST ASLEEP."" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"THEY FOUND HER, CURLED UP IN A LITTLE HEAP, FAST ASLEEP."</span> +</div> + +<p>She watched the preparations made for her departure with indifference, +although her pretty frocks were taken down from their hooks in the +closets, and her gay ribbons from their boxes, and a trunk of cedar-wood +with silver bands was brought into the little pretty room, or <i>boudoir</i>, +as it was called, which joined the bedrooms. Almost any child would have +been pleased to watch this getting ready to go away, and would have +entered into the details with interest. Many a one would have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> busied +herself with packing her little treasures, her doll's clothes, or her +playthings; but Laura stood in a listless way in the door, leaning first +upon one foot, then upon the other, wondering just a little where it +might be that she was going, and teasing her little spaniel when he +leaped to caress her, till, tired of watching the maids, she wandered +off to gaze into the cabinet I have spoken of. And when evening came, +there they found her, curled up in a little heap, fast asleep. Fido, +too, was asleep beside his little mistress, for, much as she teased him, +he yet loved her.</p> + +<p>The morning dawned clear and cool, and Laura's mamma bade the nurses put +plenty of wraps in the travelling carriage; she also bade them give +Laura a cup of hot chocolate, which was an unusual luxury for the little +damsel. Laura's trunk was stowed away, and, to the surprise of all, hers +was the only trunk visible, so that it looked very much as if the Lady +Idleways meant to return sooner than the little princess—whose title, +by-the-way,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> had been given by her papa in jest, when she was an infant, +from some of her absurd little freaks of disdain.</p> + +<p>All through the light breakfast Lady Idleways<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> never smiled, but watched +her daughter anxiously. Laura fed her spaniel and crumbled her rolls +indifferently. Her little face looked pale and her eyes dim, as if she +might have cried, but there were no tears to be seen; and when she bade +all the household "good bye," she seemed to be entirely unconcerned. And +in this mood she stayed while the carriage rolled away down the hills, +and over the stone bridges, and past the cottages, till they came to the +woods. Then her mother drew her to her bosom and said, "Laura, darling, +I am about to do something for your good which seems very harsh. It +pains me, child, to do it; but you will thank me yet for it. In the +Forest of Pines, towards which we are now journeying, lives an old +friend of mine—a fairy friend—whom I have consulted in regard to you. +She knows that I desire your happiness, and she understands me when I +tell her that you seem drooping and unhappy; that it is more my +misfortune than my fault (for, having but one child, I do not know the +needs of children<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> as well as those mothers who have many); and she has +bidden me bring you to her, with the promise that she will make you the +happy, loving little girl you ought to be. I shall feel the separation +keenly, I shall miss you sadly, but knowing that my little daughter is +to gain only good, I have made up my mind to let you make this visit."</p> + +<p>Laura pouted a little, wept a little, and then, as the woods became +denser, crept closer to her mother.</p> + +<p>"Am I to stay long, mamma?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"That I do not know; it depends upon yourself."</p> + +<p>"And what is the fairy's name, mamma?"</p> + +<p>"She bade me not tell you her name; she wishes you to call her simple +<i>Motherkin</i>."</p> + +<p>"How very queer!" said Laura. "I cannot do it."</p> + +<p>"You will do better to obey her, my child."</p> + +<p>"Is she cross? Is she ugly?"</p> + +<p>"You may think her plain, but she is neither cross nor ugly."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p> + +<p>The road here became almost blocked with bushes, and the wind in the +tops of the tall pine-trees made strange music.</p> + +<p>"I would rather go home, mamma," said Laura, in a coaxing voice.</p> + +<p>"That cannot be done, dearest," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"Why not?—why cannot I return with you?"</p> + +<p>"Because I have given my promise to the fairy, and a lady, my little +Laura, never breaks her word."</p> + +<p>Laura knew that her mamma was not to be urged after speaking with so +much decision; so she sank back on the cushions and tried to fall +asleep. But her curiosity and anxiety were both aroused, and her eyelids +would not stay shut. Presently the carriage stopped.</p> + +<p>"I can go no farther, my lady," said the coachman.</p> + +<p>"Then we must walk," said Lady Idleways; and she bade Laura descend also +from the carriage. "You can turn the horses and unstrap Miss Laura's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> +trunk," she also said to the man; "there will be some one coming for it +very soon, so have no hesitation in delivering it." The man bowed and +obeyed, and Laura, with her mother's hand in hers, plunged into the +forest.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<p>It was a new thing for Laura to find her self on foot in the woods, to +push her way through the brambles, and assist her mother in finding a +path, and she fretted considerably at the necessity; but her mother, +taking no notice of the child's complaints, went resolutely on, as if +determined not to listen to anything that would make her unwilling to +complete her errand. So, clambering over fallen trees green with moss, +and slipping upon the pine needles, and occasionally getting a scratch +from a brier, went Lady Idleways and Laura, until they came to an +opening in the forest where the blue sky again was visible; but so, +also, was a great rock before them, too high for them to climb, and no +way to get around it. Pausing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> a moment, Laura's mother picked up a +little stick and rapped with it upon the rock. Instantly from under the +hanging vines a door, which no one could have supposed was there, flew +open, and from it came forth a neat little old lady in black gown and +white cap, leaning upon a gold-headed cane.</p> + +<p>She courtesied pleasantly and bade Lady Idleways enter; but Lady +Idleways declined, saying, "I have brought my little daughter to you, my +friend, as I promised. Do all you can for me and for her. I have bidden +her obey you, and I prefer leaving her now, lest my heart fail me. +Farewell, little Laura, for a short time. You are in excellent hands, +and must not be sad at parting. Give me a pleasant smile and a nice +good-bye kiss." And, clasping her in a close embrace, the mother +whispered more tender words in her ears, bade the old lady take good +care of her, and then turned hastily away, as if she feared to linger.</p> + +<p>Laura beheld all this in quiet astonishment; then,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> as her mother left +her, she flung herself upon the ground and wept passionately. But she +was not allowed to do this very long, for the old lady, rapping her cane +upon the rock, summoned to her assistance a funny old servant, as quaint +and as curious as herself, a dwarf of kindly, smiling face, dressed in a +gray blouse, with wooden shoes upon his feet, and a scarlet cap with a +long tassel on his head.</p> + +<p>"Hey, little missy!" said the old lady, "this will not do at all. Grim, +pick her up and take her to her own little bedroom in my cottage. If she +wishes to, she may lie there, but not here upon the ground."</p> + +<p>As Grim approached and was about lifting her, Laura sprang up, and would +have run from him, but his arms were of an extraordinary length, and he +had her safely in them before she could get away; so she could only +scream and sob to no purpose.</p> + +<p>Grim whispered to her not to fear, that his mistress<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> was very kind and +good; and his own voice was so gentle, and she was so curious to see the +interior of so strange an abode, that in a little while she ceased +crying and looked about her.</p> + +<p>They went in under the hidden doorway, which led to a winding path +through the rocks. Here and there the sky could be seen through the +foliage above, but the path was nearly all under a shelving mass of +stone. At last they came to a little cottage, not much more than a hut, +but it was neat and spotless; it looked as if it might be nothing but a +bird's-nest built of grape-vines; but within were a tiled floor, a +chimney-corner where hung a savory-smelling kettle of soup, and +curiously carved chairs and shelves were against the walls.</p> + +<p>Grim mounted a ladder in one corner, still with Laura in his arms, and +placed her in a tidy upper room, where were one window, a little stool, +and a straw bed.</p> + +<p>"There, child; now do be good, and don't trouble the Motherkin. She is +used to children, and they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> all learn to love her; and if there is +anything I can do for you, I am always ready; but no more of this angry +sobbing, I beg of you."</p> + +<p>So saying, Grim went off down the ladder, leaving Laura alone.</p> + +<p>The child was bewildered. What could she do alone? Never had she been +alone at home; the nurses were always beside her, except when she +purposely wandered away from them to frighten them.</p> + +<p>She looked about her—at the hard but white little bed, at the few pegs +on the wall, at the strip of scarlet wool by the bedside, at the bare +boards of the floor, at the ebony cross over the head of the bed—and +she wondered if this humble little apartment was to be hers. Then she +heard the rushing voice of a brook, and she leaned out of the window to +see it tumbling over the rocks in merry sport. Tired, homesick, and +perplexed, she turned from the window and lay down upon the bed, still +listening to the brook, till sleep came and put an end to her +wonderings.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span></p> + +<p>She slept heavily a long while, but was wakened by a rapping on the +floor beneath.</p> + +<p>"Come, child, come; it is time you were hungry. Wash your face outside +in the brook, and we will have some dinner," called the Motherkin.</p> + +<p>She did not dare disobey, but sullenly crept down the ladder and went +out to the brook, as she had been told. The pure cold stream refreshed +her, and she could have dabbled in it willingly a longer time, but again +came the call:</p> + +<p>"Come, come; it is late. Grim has to go on a journey, or I should have +asked you to set the table and help me prepare the dinner; but he was in +haste, and has done it all.</p> + +<p>"What will you have, child?—brown bread and cheese, good sweet milk, +curds, and cream?"</p> + +<p>"Peasant fare," thought Laura; "such as our cowherds at home have. I +will not eat;" and she drew disdainfully off; but the Motherkin took no +notice of her disdain, and placed some food before her. She was too +hungry long to refuse, but she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> almost choked over the coarse brown +bread. It was good, however, and so was all the rest, and in spite of +herself she ate abundantly.</p> + +<p>The old lady smiled whimsically, and bade her, as soon as she had +finished her meal, tie on a long apron and assist her in putting things +in order. This was really unbearable.</p> + +<p>"No, I will not do it," said Laura, firmly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my little damsel, do not be ungracious," said the Motherkin. "I +shall have to ask your assistance in many things, for my good, faithful +Grim has to be away; he has had to go in search of a wonderful herb +which heals many ailments, and which is only found in a region far from +here; and as it is to relieve poor sick people, I cannot refuse to allow +him. His absence, however, obliges me to do his work, and I am sure you +will not see an old friend of your mother making unnecessary exertions +that a young pair of arms and legs can do so much better than old ones."</p> + +<p>At this Laura opened her eyes in astonishment, and glancing down at her +dress, murmured,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I am not allowed at home to soil my clothes or my hands; they will get +too coarse and rough, Nannette, my nurse, says."</p> + +<p>"No matter for Nannette; you are too much of a lady not to assist me. +Come, we will arrange about the clothes afterwards. I have some pretty +little gingham gowns which will fit you, and we will lay aside these +fine feathers."</p> + +<p>Thus appealed to, though in a very novel manner, on the score of her +ladyhood, Laura tied on the apron and obeyed the Motherkin with less +reluctance. She was awkward, and made mistakes. She placed cups where +plates should go, and turned things upside down and downside up. And +when the old lady told her she had done enough, she sat down and cried +for vexation, she had done so badly. Again came the whimsical little +smile on the Motherkin's face, and, opening the door, she said,</p> + +<p>"Come, Laura, and see my cow and my pig, and let me show you my +garden."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span></p> + +<p>Laura rose, but scorned the amusement, and soon found herself admiring +both cow and pig, for both were white and clean as two roses; and when +the Motherkin showed her a corner which was to be her own garden, to dig +in as she pleased, she no longer felt contemptuously as she had done. +But the novelty of having a garden and being allowed to dig in it did +not make her less homesick and dreary when bedtime came, and she had to +creep off alone to the clean but hard little bed. She slept, though, +soundly and well.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<p>The rushing of the brook wakened Laura, and she gazed about her; slowly +and dimly the sense of where she was came upon her, and she resolved +that she would stay in bed. There was no nurse to dress her, no elegant +toilet arrangements such as she was always in the habit of using: a +little earthenware bowl and jug in the place of her luxurious bath, a +good coarse towel instead of the snowy damask linen, and over the foot +of the bed a common print dress and a checked apron, both spotlessly +clean, had been placed. She looked at them and buried her face in her +pillow. The Motherkin called her in vain. After waiting a long while, +she came up to her.</p> + +<p>"Why are you not out of bed, my child?" she asked,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> most kindly. "It is +a bright, clear morning. Are you not well?"</p> + +<p>Laura said nothing; ashamed of her own sulkiness, she yet was not +prepared to acknowledge it.</p> + +<p>"Come, shall I help you dress? Do you need assistance?"</p> + +<p>Still no reply.</p> + +<p>"Ah, what a pity you are ill!" said the Motherkin. "I had some nice +chocolate ready for your breakfast, but I will have to go make some +gruel. Poor child! poor child!" And away she went, leaving Laura with +her head still buried in her pillow. In a short time she returned, +bearing a large cup of gruel and a slice of bread, which she placed +beside Laura. Then she bathed the child's face and brushed her hair, +Laura submitting in silence. When she had rearranged the bed and made it +comfortable, she kissed her and left her.</p> + +<p>After a while Laura tasted the gruel, making faces over it; but she +emptied the cup. In the same way the bread disappeared; and then, +getting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> very tired of lying in bed, she rose and went to the window.</p> + +<p>What a day it was! so sunny and bright! And how merrily ran the brook, +and how she longed to see its drops sparkle between her fingers as they +had done the day before! How velvety and soft was the grass, how yellow +the buttercups! and she was sure she saw a humming-bird dipping down +into the flowers in the Motherkin's garden.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 347px;"> +<img src="images/ill_003.jpg" width="347" height="500" alt=""IT WAS ONE OF THE MOTHERKIN'S PIGS."" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"IT WAS ONE OF THE MOTHERKIN'S PIGS."</span> +</div> + +<p>A new idea came to her. Why not dress and get out of the window, +underneath which was a shed, and so drop down into the garden? The +clothes were slipped on hurriedly; her little fingers were so eager that +the buttons went in and out of their holes again. Then softly on tiptoe +she scrambled out. Her skirts caught, her fingers were scratched, the +skin was peeled from a spot on one little knee; but, ah! how delicious +this liberty! Her feet no sooner touched the earth than she ran swiftly +to the brook, and the shoes and stockings were left to themselves while +she waded in the clear, cool water. It was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> such an unknown delight, +such happiness, that Laura forgot she was Laura and might have been any +little wood-bird. Out of the brook and on to the grass, off the grass +and into the woods. Flowers were here, and she gathered her hands and +apron full; berries, too—sweet, red, wild strawberries, with a perfume +so rare, so aromatic. She stained her fingers and stained her lips. +Hark! what was that? A rabbit, and down went flowers and berries for a +hunt over the stones and briers. Heeding nothing, she went after Bunny, +who suddenly popped into his burrow with a whisk of his little tail and +a kick of his little legs for good-bye. Then a loud chattering made her +aware of Mr. Squirrel's presence, and she watched him jumping from bough +to bough. Wondering if he would come to her if she kept very still, she +sat so motionless that by-and-by her little head began to nod, and, +wearied with her unusual exercise, she fell fast asleep leaning against +a tree.</p> + +<p>When she awoke she was still in the same posture; but her knee smarted, +her legs were stiff, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> she was very hungry. Besides, she knew not +which way to turn. She was lost—or thought herself so, which was nearly +as bad.</p> + +<p>After all, it would be nice to see the Motherkin's kind face and hear +her pleasant voice. But how should she explain her naughtiness, her +make-believe sickness; and how, above all, should she find her way back? +A few tears of repentance and real sorrow rained down awhile, and then +Laura, who was no coward, made up her mind that she would tell the +Motherkin the truth, and that she was sorry and would try to do better.</p> + +<p>A rustling in the bushes startled her, but she hoped it might be Grim. +It was not, however; but it was one of the Motherkin's pigs; and, +knowing that Monsieur Piggie had to go home some time or other, she +thought the safest course would be to follow him.</p> + +<p>Alas! Mr. Pig was no gallant; he had not even common courtesy. He did +not so much as grunt agreeably, but squealed in the most piggish +manner;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> for he, too, was hungry, and he led poor Laura right through a +swamp, covering her with mud.</p> + +<p>As they emerged from the swamp, Laura thought she saw the cottage far +away under the hill before them; and as Piggie ran squealing on, she +kept up the pursuit. Into the woods again and out through the bushes, +till a nice hedge showed they were near home; and now Mr. Piggie ran off +to his sty, and Laura, creeping through the hedge and up the garden-walk +with downcast face, went up to the open door, longing to throw herself +into the Motherkin's arms and ask her pardon for all her bad behavior.</p> + +<p>No one was to be seen. Not a sound came from the cottage. The door stood +open, and on the table was a loaf of brown bread and a pitcher of milk.</p> + +<p>Laura knew not what to do. She was ravenously hungry, but she was in too +dirty a condition to touch food. She looked in and out and around, but +no one was there. She mounted the ladder in hopes yet of finding the +Motherkin. Her room was as she had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> left it, with the exception of a +note pinned on the muslin curtain of the window. It read thus:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"<span class="smcap">Little Lady Laura</span>,—Necessary and urgent business compels me to +leave home for a day or two. My good, kind, faithful Grim has +fallen and lamed himself, and I must attend to various matters +which he always has done for me. You are quite safe here—no one +can molest you; but you will be obliged to prepare your own food, +feed the chickens and pigs, milk the cow, and keep the cottage +tidy. Do this bravely, little Laura, and you will be rewarded. +Remember that a lady is none the less a lady for being able to +take care of herself and others, and also remember that the +faithful creatures who are dependent upon you will suffer if you +neglect them. Animals they are, but God made them and requires us +to be kind to them."</p></div> + +<p>This was all the note said, except that "<span class="smcap">The Motherkin</span>" was written +underneath as signature.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<p>If Laura had been astonished before, she was still more so now, and so +much so that she really could not collect her thoughts. She felt like +crying, but she could not; she felt angry, but there was no way of +venting anger; so she just sat still on the floor awhile and counted the +nails in the boards. This had the happiest effect, for, after she had +gone over and over the nails, a few quiet thoughts came to her.</p> + +<p>First she must make herself clean; so, dropping all her clothes, she +gave herself, for the first time in her life, a good scrubbing. She made +a great splashing, and succeeded in getting the floor very wet; but she +also made herself very sweet and nice, and found plenty of clean clothes +ready for her hanging on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> pegs. Then she went down below and ate a +whole loaf of bread and drank about a quart of milk. This also had a +good effect, for she began to face the situation, and determined to do +her best. As she sat meditating, she heard a great noise among the +fowls, and it reminded her of what she had to do. Going to the cupboard +in search of food for them, she found a slip of paper and a key; on the +slip of paper was written:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"This key opens a door in the rock; there you will find food for +the chickens and pigs; hay and straw for the cow are in the barn. +The key-hole is just this side of the vine that hangs beside the +cottage door."</p></div> + +<p>Her doubts were now dispelled, and, doing as the paper directed, she +opened the door into a large, cool, rock cellar, full of provisions of +all kinds.</p> + +<p>On the shelves were pots of butter and lard, pans of sweet milk and +curds, empty pans shining, all ready for fresh milk, a milking-pail and +stool. Hams and tongues hung from the roof, with bunches of sweet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> +herbs. Barrels of flour and sugar, vinegar and molasses, were in another +room off the large one. Opening a closet, she found jars of clear +jellies and delicious preserves. Every fruit that one could think of was +here, crystallized in the most inviting manner.</p> + +<p>Nothing was wanting, not even cheeses or pickles, and on a shelf by +itself was a chicken-pie as if for her immediate use when hungry.</p> + +<p>Grain for the fowls stood ready in huge bags, and she knew, because +Nannette had told her, that sour milk was good for the pigs. After +surveying all these goodly stores, she went out to the chickens, just in +time to drive away a great hawk which was creating much fear among them. +Then Mr. Pig was attended to; but it was with much quaking that she +carried the milking-stool into the barn where waited the patient cow. +Never in all her life had she attempted this. Once or twice she had +watched the cowherds at the castle, and she hardly dared to think of +anything now in that dear home. Mooly was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> very quiet and good, and glad +to be relieved; but poor little Laura's fingers ached when her duty was +ended, and she was very tired by the time she had emptied the milk into +the pans and locked the rock cellar. Then she sat herself down in the +cottage doorway, and had a little homesick cry, and wondered if her +mother was playing on her harp in the great parlor of the castle, and if +she longed to see her little daughter.</p> + +<p>The twilight lingered, the stars peeped out, and weary little Laura +still sat, listening to the crickets, watching the fire-flies as they +flashed their tiny lamps in her face, and half humming the refrain of a +song of her mother's which seemed to be in tune to the falling waters of +the cascade. Then to bed, and the sweetest slumber came to the lonely +little maiden.</p> + +<p>Thus passed two, three, four days. Laura all alone, busy as a bee, +finding always something to do, gathering berries, arranging flowers, +living like a wild bird on what she could find—for she did not dare try +any cooking. But bread and milk, cheese, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> cold chicken-pie, and a +dip into the jelly jars occasionally were very good fare, and the roses +had come into her cheeks and a healthful glitter in her eyes. She was +lonely, but she was not unhappy, and when, to her great surprise, the +Motherkin walked in one evening with Grim hobbling behind, she gave a +great shout of joy, and sprang into the Motherkin's arms.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 362px;"> +<img src="images/ill_004.jpg" width="362" height="500" alt=""AFTER THIS SHE ASSISTED THE MOTHERKIN IN DRESSING GRIM'S ANKLE."" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"AFTER THIS SHE ASSISTED THE MOTHERKIN IN DRESSING GRIM'S ANKLE."</span> +</div> + +<p>"Well done, little Laura! Think you I have not known how charmingly you +have kept house for me?"</p> + +<p>"How could you, dear Motherkin? and how can you ever forgive me for +running off as I did?"</p> + +<p>"Ah! we will let by-gones be by-gones; you have had all the punishment +necessary; now we must see what we can do to entertain our little guest. +Poor Grim has his herbs, but he has also a sprained ankle which we must +nurse. How have you liked being my maid?"</p> + +<p>Laura hung her head as she replied: "Truly, I have enjoyed it. Is it +ladylike for me to have done so?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Surely it is, and, if you will have the patience to learn, I will make +you proficient in many other homely duties, such as knitting and +spinning."</p> + +<p>"But the peasants do those things."</p> + +<p>"Well, the peasants are happy."</p> + +<p>"But I shall not live as they do."</p> + +<p>"No matter; it is well you should understand all things; they may serve +you, they may not; they will teach you in many other ways. You will +learn to have sympathy for all; you will learn to be patient and +painstaking."</p> + +<p>"Then I will try."</p> + +<p>"That is all I ask. And now suppose I tell you all about these wonderful +herbs?" Picking up a sprig of each, the Motherkin related its qualities, +while Laura, with a pencil and paper, wrote down her words; then she +fastened each sprig in a slip of paper with its name attached. After +this she assisted the Motherkin in dressing Grim's ankle, carrying warm +water, and rolling the bandage, while Grim looked on with a funny face, +holding his cap with its<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> scarlet tassel in one hand, and with the other +supporting himself in his chair.</p> + +<p>Then the fire had to be lighted and tea made, and Laura no longer was +awkward, but very alert, for now she had the willing spirit which makes +everything so much easier to do than where there is reluctance.</p> + +<p>After tea, Grim said he would tell her what he had seen on his little +journey, so, drawing near the chairs upon which he was resting, the +Motherkin and Laura listened to the old man's tale.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<p>"I must explain to little Lady Laura," said Grim, with a wave of his +hand towards the Motherkin, "if you will allow me, madam, that we +fairies have the power of making ourselves unseen whenever we wish, +though we seldom use the power except for some useful purpose."</p> + +<p>"Ah," thought Laura, "perhaps I was not so much alone in the Motherkin's +absence as I thought."</p> + +<p>"And thus it is," continued the dwarf, "that we see many strange things; +but I have nothing very remarkable at present to relate, for my journey +was an ordinary one but for my accident. I had to see the elves who had +charge of healing herbs, and gain their permission to cull them, for +they are very particular that they should be pulled in the right season, +and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> they so cover their gardens up that one could easily think there +was not a bit of motherwort or hoarhound to be found when they choose to +conceal them. To see the Chief Gardener Elf I had to go pretty far out +of my way, for he was off superintending the planting of some tansy +beds, and had quite an army of elves at work. I wish Lady Laura could +have seen them. They are such an odd crew; but it is as well not to +interfere with them while they are at work, for sometimes they are very +troublesome; they have a spiteful way of scattering weed seed, right +plump into a bed of roses or violets, that is very provoking. But they +were too busy to take much notice of me, and when I had gained the +permission I wanted, and was about to leave them, I thought I heard a +child's cry. It attracted me at once, for, you know, my lady, we have an +especial interest in children.</p> + +<p>"I listened, and again heard the cry; but the elves did not seem to hear +it at all. Concluding that it was best not to attract their attention to +it, for they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> are very teasing to little children, and often give them a +pinch which is supposed to come from a mosquito, and fearing that the +cry might come from some little unhappy victim of their malevolence, I +followed the sound until I came to a small house which looked as if it +might be a forester's—a forester, Lady Laura, you know, is one who +plants and trims the trees, and sees that the brushwood is cut properly, +and in every way keeps the forest in order. Well, as I said, the cry +came from this little cottage, and I made bold to enter invisibly. All +alone on a little bed of straw was lying a young child; it looked to me +as if it were a cripple, for its little feet were all drawn up and its +legs were bent. By its side was a stool on which had been some bread, +for I saw the crumbs; a tin cup was there also, but no milk, no water. +'Crying from hunger,' said I to myself; and, pulling out my luncheon, I +laid a bit of bread beside the little creature. He did not see it at +once, and kept on his sad little cry; but when he did notice the food, +his eager grasp of it assured me I was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> right in my supposition. Ah, my +Lady Laura, it is a dreadful thing to be hungry—to feel that gnawing in +one's stomach, as if one could almost swallow stones to stop it. Well, +the child ceased crying a moment and turned its little white, pinched +face towards me; it was a pitiful sight, it looked so old, so wan, so +wizened; but while I looked at it a bright smile came over it, just as +you see a gleam of sunshine lighten up a cold, dark little pool of +water, so this smile danced over the child's features. I was vain enough +for an instant to think myself the cause of the little creature's +pleasure, but, remembering I was invisible, I turned at some slight +sound and saw that another child had entered the door—a girl not larger +than yourself, Lady Laura, about eleven or twelve years of age, thin and +poor-looking, but with the sweetest, tenderest of faces. Her hair was a +dark chestnut brown, brushed away from her temples and braided neatly, +her eyes were the same color, and her skin was very white, but the +expression of her face was its charm. She looked so calm, so resigned, +so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> willing, so free from pettishness—but, oh! so much older and calmer +than her years. Coming in quickly, she lifted the little one from the +bed and folded him in her arms, where he nestled as if he were a bird, +and her embrace his warm, soft nest.</p> + +<p>"'Ah, my little Fritz,' she said, 'how tired you must be, how weary and +hungry! And does the little leg ache to-day? See, sister has a cake for +thee,' drawing from her pocket one poor little cake made of meal.</p> + +<p>"Her gentleness was exquisite, but it made my heart ache. I knew this +was all the food she had, and I was puzzled to know what to do. While I +was pondering the girl hushed the little one to sleep, after she had +rubbed his legs with her poor thin little hands. Laying the child down, +she brought in a few fagots and made a little blaze on the hearth, and +with a handful of herbs brewed some sort of a tea from the water in the +pot which hung over the blaze. It was a sorry sight, this poverty and +wretchedness, but it was a beautiful sight also to behold<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> this sisterly +care and affection. Evidently she had long nursed this poor little +cripple. How could I relieve her? was my perplexity. I had not seen any +houses near, no neighbors were at hand. I determined to try and enlist +the sympathy of the Chief Gardener Elf, and yet I also feared the +result. Just as I left the little hut I met a woodsman, and the happy +thought came to me to whisper my wish in his ear; that is to say, I +spoke in fairy fashion my plan of relief for these poor children, +abandoned as they seemed to be by all human beings. I was rewarded by +seeing the man enter the little abode. Resolving to return as soon as I +could, I was making my way through the forest when I fell, and was +obliged to despatch the first Herb Elf who came in my way to gain +assistance. To my great annoyance, the Chief Gardener Elf had gone to +South America for seeds. I could not follow him, and I would not intrust +the lesser elves with a message to him, lest I should do the children +more harm than good. Relying, therefore, upon the little assistance +which the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> poor woodsman I met would undoubtedly give after my +suggestion, I was obliged, my dear madam, to return to you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, my dear Grim," cried Laura, "how could you leave them to starve! +Let us go, dear Motherkin—pray let us go to those poor little children. +Quick! quick! they must be suffering so much."</p> + +<p>She fell on her knees before the Motherkin in her great anxiety and +excitement, and the tears of pity rolled down from her blue eyes.</p> + +<p>Grim nodded his head with satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"Ay, my lady, do go; do not wait for my lame leg to get well. The way is +rough and fatiguing, but by all means let Lady Laura go and do what she +can for those suffering little ones."</p> + +<p>Laura did not want to wait a moment; she begged the Motherkin to start +at once, that very night; but the old lady insisted upon the night's +rest.</p> + +<p>"But I cannot sleep, dear Motherkin— I am sure I cannot sleep; pray let +us go. I am so afraid they are suffering dreadfully."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We have to arrange matters a little, Laura," urged the Motherkin, +pleased at the child's earnest desire to aid the little unfortunates. "I +will go as early as we can to-morrow; and now let me see you show +prudence as well as zeal by sleeping soundly, and so fitting yourself +for the fatigue of a journey. Come, dear, to bed, and hope that the good +angels are caring for the little ones we are so sorry for."</p> + +<p>Grim, too, assured Laura that this plan was best, and that he felt +confident the woodsman would do all he could until they reached the +little sufferers.</p> + +<p>So Laura went to bed, her heart stirred with very new emotions, that +were both happy and painful; the desire to do good, the hope that she +might relieve the poor little objects of her pity, made her glad, while +the thought of their pain and poverty caused her real sorrow. Her bed no +longer seemed hard, nor her little room empty of any luxuries; and, as +she looked out at the stars glittering in the sky and listened to the +running of the brook, she prayed that she might be of use to the poor +children of the forest.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<p>"I have decided not to go upon this journey, Laura," were the first +words the Motherkin spoke after she had given her a morning embrace, as +the child came briskly in haste to receive it, and hear the plans which +she supposed Grim and the Motherkin had made after she had gone to bed +the night previous.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear Motherkin," exclaimed Laura, "how can you forget those poor +little suffering creatures! My heart has ached for them even in my +dreams. All night I have been climbing rocks and wading brooks to get to +them, and now you tell me I cannot go. Oh, it is too, too hard!"</p> + +<p>"Gently, gently, Lady Laura. I have not said <i>you</i> could not go."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, what do you mean, dear Motherkin? Is Grim to go?"</p> + +<p>"No, Grim cannot go either," said the Motherkin, with a peculiar little +smile upon her face; and Grim twisted the scarlet tassel of his cap +mysteriously. Laura looked at one, then at the other: what did it mean?</p> + +<p>"Are you sure you wish to befriend those children, Laura?" asked the old +lady.</p> + +<p>Still more surprised, and not a little indignant, Laura answered, +quickly, "Indeed I do; I long to aid them."</p> + +<p>"And you are willing to make some sacrifice, some unusual effort, to do +this?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," again answered Laura, very quickly.</p> + +<p>"Then, my child, you must go alone to their relief."</p> + +<p>Laura's eyes opened very wide at this.</p> + +<p>"How can I? I do not know the way."</p> + +<p>"We will guide you, if you have resolution enough to undertake it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p> + +<p>Perplexed, Laura knew not what to say. How could she go alone? All sorts +of dangers rose before her—great gloomy forests to traverse, wild +beasts to meet, perhaps. She stood irresolute, her hand on the +Motherkin's shoulder.</p> + +<p>The old lady took her hand in hers as she said, "I do not compel it, +Laura."</p> + +<p>"But the poor little children—how can I be of service to them? I do not +know how."</p> + +<p>"I will instruct you; I will aid you. All I ask is for you to go alone: +will you, or will you not?"</p> + +<p>A vision of the little lonely hut and the suffering child and the +ministering sister rose before Laura.</p> + +<p>"I will go," she said, no longer irresolute.</p> + +<p>"The blessing of the poor be upon you!" said Grim, and the Motherkin +kissed her brow.</p> + +<p>"Now, my child, have a good breakfast, and then I will tell you what you +are to do."</p> + +<p>Laura obeyed very willingly, no longer disdaining good substantial food +or the simple manner of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> its preparation. After breakfast the Motherkin +opened her closets and chose a few garments for the poor children. +These, with a small flask of wine and some oat-cakes, were packed in a +basket which had leather straps attached to go over Laura's shoulder. +Then she was arrayed in a flannel costume that her kind mother had sent +with all her fineries. It was blue, with delicate traceries of silver, +silver buttons, and a silver belt, from which depended a pocket, a +fruit-knife, and a little drinking-cup. In the pocket the Motherkin +placed a few coins, and then assured Laura that there was but one thing +needed.</p> + +<p>"And what is that, dear Motherkin?" asked Laura.</p> + +<p>"I will show you," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"Grim! Grim!" called the Motherkin to the dwarf, who was sunning himself +out-of-doors.</p> + +<p>"Yes, madam," said Grim, hurriedly stirring himself.</p> + +<p>"Do you think you can cut me a good stout staff<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> for Lady Laura, without +any injury to your lame ankle?"</p> + +<p>"Of course, madam, of course. What wood shall it be?"</p> + +<p>"Of wood that shall serve her well—you know their qualities even better +than I; and whether it be ash or birch, you can get the elves to charm +it, that it may have the power to guide her aright."</p> + +<p>Grim hobbled off in haste, and was soon seen emerging from the forest +with the charmed staff in his hand. It was a light, pretty stick, and +the Motherkin bade Laura be very careful not to lose it, as it could not +be replaced by any ordinary wood.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 303px;"> +<img src="images/ill_005.jpg" width="303" height="500" alt=""SHE TURNED FROM TIME TO TIME AND THREW KISSES TO THEM."" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"SHE TURNED FROM TIME TO TIME AND THREW KISSES TO THEM."</span> +</div> + +<p>"And now, my child, you are ready. I will conduct you to the path on +which you set forth. You are to follow it all day, wherever it may lead; +at night you are to sleep beneath the canopy of heaven; but have no +fears: we guard you. In the morning place your staff in your hand, +penetrate the forest by which you will be surrounded, and the staff<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> +will guide you to the bed of a mountain stream; follow it patiently +until the rocks become precipitous, then climb the bank towards which +your staff will incline; this will bring you to the summit of the hills, +in one of the valleys of which dwell the children you seek. Constantly +allow yourself to be guided by your staff; it will very gently but very +surely determine your path. Let no song of birds or murmur of bees, no +fragrance of flowers nor music of brooks, detain you; do not linger. +Hasten on, and you shall be guided going and coming."</p> + +<p>"And the children—what am I to do for them?" asked Laura.</p> + +<p>"Give them the clothes, food, and wine, and such assistance as your +heart may suggest."</p> + +<p>"But am I to leave them alone to suffer again when that which I carry to +them is gone?"</p> + +<p>"No; you are to do all in your power for the present, and leave the +future to me."</p> + +<p>"Ah, how I wish I could take them to my home in the castle, and share +all my comforts and pleasures<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> with them! I would teach them, and they +should teach me, and we should be so happy together. Ah, please, dear +Motherkin, let me; urge<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> my mamma, beg her to let me take the little +orphans home."</p> + +<p>"Patience, dear child," said the Motherkin, pleased at Laura's kind +wish.</p> + +<p>"Yes, patience," reiterated Grim, twirling his tassel, and looking the +picture of delight.</p> + +<p>"She does you credit, dear lady," said Grim, as Laura, after embracing +the Motherkin, and pressing both Grim's hands in her own, started out +with her staff in hand.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said the old lady, "I am well pleased."</p> + +<p>They watched the child's retreating form, as she turned from time to +time and threw kisses to them, till at last the glittering figure of +silver and blue was merged in the green of the forest foliage.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<p>Laura's step was light and brisk, for she carried a light heart, she was +animated by a new purpose; the pleasure of doing good, or of only having +the wish to do good, was a new happiness to her, and as she walked she +trolled out a merry little song she had heard Nannette sing in the +nursery. When she grew weary, she sat down and made a wreath for her +hat; when she was thirsty, she drank from the little cup at her girdle, +for there was always a stream at hand, first on one side of the road, +then on the other, and the babbling of the brook was like a pleasant +voice telling her sweet stories. It seemed to whisper to her how glad +her mother would be to hear that she was getting to be a better child. +Then again it sang to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> her of the woods and the mosses, the wild-flowers +and the birds, and of its own busy life—how much it had to do to keep +all these pretty things refreshed and alive, and how it suffered when +the drought came, and the sun was scorching, and the little leaflets +withered on its brink; and as its voice became sad, and tears welled in +the child's eyes, it would suddenly seem to burst into a foam of +laughter and toss itself in tiny cascades over the pebbles. Then Laura +would laugh too, and forget all sadness. Then she would take off her +shoes and stockings and wade, and watch the flies dart hither and +thither as she dashed the drops apart. So the day went on. Her path grew +wilder, the woods more difficult to go through. Great masses of tangled +vines interlaced and hung low, reaching out their tendrils as if to +hinder her. Clouds gathered, and the skies were dark. A storm seemed +coming. The birds ceased twittering. Low mutterings of thunder, far +away, broke the stillness.</p> + +<p>Laura's feet were aching, and her heart oppressed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> Doubts troubled her. +Why had they let her come alone on this long journey? It was cruel. She +forgot the poor children, and, throwing herself down, she thought she +would go no farther. Her staff was still in her hand, and as she fell it +seemed to draw her gently up again, just as a magnet picks up a needle; +it led her to a little cave or grotto, merely a nook under great rocks, +but in it was a heap of leaves which would serve her as a place of +repose, and she would be sheltered from the approaching storm, which, +now that the wind had arisen, was swaying the trees violently. Crouching +in a corner, she listened to the crashing of boughs, the peals of +thunder, and the dash of the rain. But she was safe and unharmed. +Gradually the wind decreased, the vivid gleam of lightning stopped +flashing in her frightened eyes, the thunder rolled farther and farther +away; the birds began chirping softly; there was but a gentle plash of +drops from the dripping leaves; long rays of sunshine stole in between +the branches. The storm was over.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span></p> + +<p>Laura took courage, ate her dinner, and started forth again.</p> + +<p>She was not so merry as in the early morning; Nannette's song was +forgotten; but in her graver face was an expression of determination. +The poor children came again to her recollection, and she renewed her +zeal.</p> + +<p>On and on she went, sometimes nearly falling, but her staff maintained +her, and prevented that. She climbed, she waded, she slipped, she +scrambled. Sometimes on dizzy heights she looked down into chasms; then +she would cross peaceful and lovely valleys; then the road would wind up +to some high summit again, giving her pictures of mountain-peaks and +clouds and all their many charms; and while on the crest of a high hill, +with all the heavens in a glow, she saw the sun sink beneath the +horizon, and knew that darkness would soon surround her. Hurriedly +descending, her staff led her to a group of oak-trees, whose wide and +shadowy boughs seemed to offer her the protection of which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> she was in +need. Farther and farther sank the sun, leaving clouds of purple and +gold to fade into the soft shades of twilight. The hush of evening fell +upon nature; stars peeped out. Laura watched the waning light until, too +tired to keep her eyes open, she laid her head upon her little knapsack, +and was soon in a deep slumber. Whether or not wild beasts came prowling +about, or owls hooted, or the night winds sighed in the tree-tops, Laura +knew not; she slept as soundly and as safely as if in her own carefully +watched nest in the castle. When she awoke, the sun was rising, birds +were singing, and every blade of grass twinkled with dew-drops. After +her morning prayer of thanks for the night's rest, a dip into the brook +close by, and a little shake and jump by way of dressing, she sat down +to her breakfast of oat-cake.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 368px;"> +<img src="images/ill_006.jpg" width="368" height="500" alt=""SHE SAW A QUEER LITTLE FIGURE MAKING GRIMACES AT HER."" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"SHE SAW A QUEER LITTLE FIGURE MAKING GRIMACES AT HER."</span> +</div> + +<p>As she munched it in leisurely fashion, wishing for some honey, she +thought she saw a queer little figure making grimaces at her. It was an +odd little creature, with a rabbit-skin so thrown over him that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> she +fancied it might, after all, be only a bunny out in search of breakfast.</p> + +<p>"Good-morning, my dear, good-morning! So you wish you had some honey, do +you?" said the queer little creature.</p> + +<p>Laura laughed out in surprise. "How do you know?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"How do I know anything, Miss Rudeness? By my wits, to be sure."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I beg your pardon," said Laura, conscious at once of having +offended; "but I did not know I had spoken aloud."</p> + +<p>"Nor did I; we people of the woods do not wait to be spoken to—we are +wiser than you. But do you really want some honey? If so, come with me +and I will show you where you can find it."</p> + +<p>"But who are you? I never saw you before," said Laura, forgetting that +the little creature had already shown himself to be easily angered.</p> + +<p>"Who am I? What difference is that to you?" said the queer little +object. "Honey is honey; if<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> you want some, come with me; if you don't, +stay where you are."</p> + +<p>"Oh, really," said Laura; "you are very kind. I do like honey, and it +would be very nice with my dry oat-cake;" and, forgetting her staff, she +followed the elf into the woods. He led her to a hollow tree, and, +flinging his rabbit-skin away, clambered into the cavity, and came out +with a great mass of glistening honey dripping from its white comb.</p> + +<p>"Here; now let me see you eat it," said the elf, putting on his +rabbit-skin again, and laying the honey-comb on a broad leaf at her +feet. Laura sat down and dipped her oat-cake into the honey.</p> + +<p>"It is delicious," said Laura. "Won't you have some?"</p> + +<p>"I? No, indeed," said the elf, standing off and gazing at her curiously +from beneath his bushy little eyebrows.</p> + +<p>"Don't you care for it?"</p> + +<p>"No; I'd rather sharpen my teeth on an acorn."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But that is so bitter."</p> + +<p>"It suits my digestion. I am a planter of bitter herbs."</p> + +<p>"Are you? Oh, then you must know my good friend Grim?"</p> + +<p>"To be sure I do! He came to see me a few days ago."</p> + +<p>Laura thought Grim must be mistaken in his belief that the elves were +fond of teasing children, for surely this one had been kind to her, when +suddenly she remembered that she had not her staff with her. She jumped +up hastily, crying out:</p> + +<p>"Oh, my staff! my staff! I must go back and find it."</p> + +<p>"Ha! ha!" laughed the elf, evidently amused at her alarm.</p> + +<p>"Which way must I go?" asked Laura, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Any way you please, my dear. Is not the honey so good as it was?"</p> + +<p>"Oh yes, yes, it is just as nice, and I thank you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> ever so much for it. +Now, please, dear Mr. Elf, let me go for my staff."</p> + +<p>"I am not keeping you, am I?" laughed the elf, beginning a strange sort +of dance, rubbing his hands together, and giving a series of jerks to +the rabbit-skin.</p> + +<p>Laura was ready to cry with vexation and alarm, but something seemed to +tell her that she must control herself and not let this mischievous +creature know how she felt; so, springing to her feet, she said, "I, +too, can dance—see," and she waltzed away as if she were in a +ball-room.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" shouted the elf; "that is capital."</p> + +<p>"Shall I teach you how to do it?" asked Laura, stopping to get breath.</p> + +<p>"Yes; let me see the steps; go slowly. Oh, your feet are so big and +clumsy I cannot copy you."</p> + +<p>"But, Mr. Elf, you do it beautifully—really you do. Now show me, +please, where the oak-trees are, that I may find my staff."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span></p> + +<p>At this anxious request the elf started on a run, whooping and +hallooing. Laura could do nothing else than follow him, but she found it +difficult, he was so small and sprightly. Nimbly he leaped over the +rocks, turning occasionally to make a queer grimace at poor Laura's +efforts to keep pace with him. When it pleased him, he stopped and +waited for her to come up.</p> + +<p>A happy thought came to Laura. "Mr. Elf," said she, "I have a fine knife +here. You could use it for almost anything. See, it is nearly as long as +your arm, and it has a very curiously ornamented case, all of silver."</p> + +<p>"Let me see it closer," said the elf, reaching up for it.</p> + +<p>Laura held it high out of his reach, but his eyes evidently danced with +eagerness to get it.</p> + +<p>"A little closer—a little closer," said the elf.</p> + +<p>"Not till I have my staff: give me that, and you shall have this," said +Laura, shutting the knife and holding it still over his head.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You have no fun in you. What do you want of your staff? Stay here in +the woods, and you'll not need one. But you have not told me where you +are going."</p> + +<p>All the time he was speaking, the elf had his eyes on the knife; but +Laura was guarded.</p> + +<p>"I am going on an errand of charity, and I need my staff; please give it +me. Look what a knife this is"—and she sprung the blade open again; +then, assuming to be weary of waiting, she said, "Well, I must go +without my staff, I suppose. I have lost too much time already. +Good-morning, Mr. Elf. Your honey was very nice; I am much obliged. +Good-morning;" and she turned as if to go.</p> + +<p>"Hoity-toity! you <i>are</i> in haste. Well, if you must go, good-bye. Your +staff is on your left-hand side, beneath the very trees before you. But +how will I get the knife now?"</p> + +<p>"Here," said Laura, only too glad to regain her precious staff; and +giving the knife a toss on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> grass, she ran for her stick. The elf +shouted and danced again, and, shouldering the knife as if it had been a +great bludgeon, he disappeared in the forest, the rabbit-skin dangling +behind his back.</p> + +<p>Laura was greatly relieved, and started on her tramp with the resolve +that nothing should hinder or detain her again. All day she kept in the +bed of the brook, as the Motherkin had told her to do, and as it grew +afternoon and the rocks became precipitous it seemed to her that she +could not go farther; but thoughts of the children inspired fresh +courage. Her feet were aching, but as she reached the top of the high +bank which bordered the stream, she espied a little thin curl of blue +smoke rising probably from the very cottage of which she was in search. +Pushing on through brambles and bushes, led by the gentle guidance of +her valuable staff, she at last came to the cottage door, and, with her +heart beating rapidly from excitement and fatigue, gently knocked for +admittance.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<p>No answer coming to her knock, Laura pushed the door open, and saw just +the same poor little room Grim had described. There were fagots burning +on the hearth; but though it was so poor and bare, it had an air of +neatness and order as if unused. Even the forlorn little bed of straw +looked as if no one had slept on it. Laura was so disappointed that she +knew not what to do; but, too tired to make any search, she was about +turning away when a light footfall arrested her, and she saw the figure +of a weeping child coming towards the hut. Evidently this was the elder +of the two children, for she had the same brown hair Grim had spoken of, +but she was so much overcome by sorrow that she did not see Laura<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> until +she came quite to the door, and then she started as if with painful +surprise.</p> + +<p>"Do not be alarmed," said Laura. "I have been walking a long way, and am +very tired: can you let me rest here for the night?"</p> + +<p>"Oh yes," said the girl, with a sweet, sad smile. "I am very lonely now, +but"—and she hesitated, glancing at Laura's embroidered dress—"I fear +I cannot offer you anything so nice as you are used to having. I am very +poor."</p> + +<p>"But see, I have enough for both of us," said Laura, showing her flask +of wine and her oat-cakes; "and I have nice warm clothing, too, which a +kind friend sent to you. But where is little Fritz?"</p> + +<p>A look of such deep pain came in the girl's pale face that Laura was +sorry she had asked.</p> + +<p>"How did you know anything about my little Fritz?" responded the girl, +in a low tone.</p> + +<p>"I will explain very soon," replied Laura; "but first tell me your +name—mine is Laura."</p> + +<p>"And mine is Kathinka, or Kathie."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Now we can get along nicely; but shall we not have more fire and some +tea before I tell you my story?" said Laura.</p> + +<p>"I have no tea, and since little Fritz has been gone I have not cared to +eat," said Kathie, with the dulness of sorrow.</p> + +<p>"Then I will make the fire burn better," said Laura, "and make tea, too, +for I am sure the Motherkin packed some."</p> + +<p>"But your hands are too fine and white—no, I will do it," said Kathie, +more aroused; and she went out for a while, and came back with some +sticks. Presently there was a good blaze, and Laura got out the tea and +sugar and cakes, and set them down on the hearth, for there was no +table. Laura was hungry, and glad to eat, and, after looking somewhat +curiously at her, Kathie, too, joined in the simple repast.</p> + +<p>Then Laura told her all about herself, beginning at her mother's leaving +her with the Motherkin, all about her new and strange experiences, about +Grim,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> and lastly about her adventures in the woods coming to Kathie's +relief. Kathie became so interested that she forgot for a moment her +sorrow; but when Laura related Grim's account of little Fritz, and +Kathie's own kindness to her young brother, about Grim's whisper to the +woodsman, and his regret at leaving the children alone, and Laura's +resolve to come to them, she could keep quiet no longer, but fell into +such sobbing as Laura had never heard nor seen before. Though she had +not seen the like, she knew by intuition that tenderness and patience +would subdue it; so she drew Kathie's head on her own shoulder, and +softly smoothed the child's brown hair; then she bathed the poor tired +eyes with her handkerchief, and forced a little wine upon the sorrowful +girl, and at last Kathie fell asleep.</p> + +<p>Outside the wind was rising, the moonlight glittering; within, by the +few smouldering brands, sat the two children. Laura held Kathie until +her own head began to droop, and then, in each other's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> arms still +resting, they slept the sound sleep of childhood.</p> + +<p>When the bright beams of morning penetrated the little hut, Kathie +awakened first, and rekindled the little fire.</p> + +<p>Laura still slept; unaccustomed to so much fatigue, she needed the long +rest, and as Kathie looked at the pretty silver and blue of her dress, +and at the golden hair and healthful flush of her young companion's fair +face, she seemed to her an angel of mercy sent to comfort her in her +loneliness. For little Fritz was gone to the better land; hunger and +want had been more than his poor little crippled body could bear, and +Kathie's kindness could not keep life any longer in so feeble a frame. +The woodsman had made a little grave in the forest for him, and there +poor Kathie had gone every day, and was but returning from it the +evening previous when she found Laura waiting for her.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 363px;"> +<img src="images/ill_007.jpg" width="363" height="500" alt=""WITH LAURA'S HAND CLASPED OVER HERS, SHE FELT NO LONGER ALONE."" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"WITH LAURA'S HAND CLASPED OVER HERS, SHE FELT NO LONGER ALONE."</span> +</div> + +<p>As soon as Laura had wakened, and the two children had eaten, Kathie led +Laura to the place<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> where her brother had been laid. Birds were singing +gayly in the trees over his head, and Kathie had made wreaths of +wild-flowers and garlands of grasses and placed them over the spot so +dear to her. Together they stood silently listening to the birds' clear +notes, and the morning was so bright and beautiful that Kathie could not +grieve as she had done the night before. With Laura's hand clasped over +hers, she felt that she was no longer alone; and when Laura said, "Now +we will both go back to the dear Motherkin," she did not refuse, but +turned away to make her little preparations. This was soon done, and +guided by Laura's staff, they started out for their long tramp through +the woods.</p> + +<p>"Now, Kathie," said Laura, after they had walked far enough to need a +little rest, "let us sit on this nice mossy rock, and you tell me, +please, how you came to be living all alone here in the woods."</p> + +<p>Kathie sat down, and, pushing back her hair,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> said to Laura, "It is +all so sad and sorrowful that I wonder you care to hear about it."</p> + +<p>"But I do—really I do; only if it makes you unhappy to tell me, perhaps +you had better not."</p> + +<p>"It is not much to tell: we have not been long alone. I do not remember +my mother; my father was a wood-cutter, and we were very happy till the +war came, and he had to be a soldier, and leave little Fritz and me all +alone."</p> + +<p>"Your father a soldier! so is mine. How nice!" said Laura.</p> + +<p>"Ah, but your father is an officer, of course, and can do almost as he +pleases, while my poor father had hardly time to bid us good-bye when he +went away; and I do not know whether he is alive or has been killed in +some dreadful battle."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll think he is alive and well, and soon coming home," said +Laura, springing up and dragging Kathie with her for a race. "Come, we +will not talk any more, for your eyes are full of tears,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> and this is +too lovely a day for us to be unhappy, my poor, poor Kathie. Come! I am +sorry I asked you anything."</p> + +<p>The day was indeed lovely, and the soft, sweet air was full of delicious +odors from the many buds and blossoms.</p> + +<p>Soon the children forgot their sad talk, and were chasing butterflies, +when again Laura, in her glee, threw down her staff, and could not +recollect the spot where it had fallen.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Kathie, my staff! my staff is lost again! where did I put it?" she +exclaimed, when a little mocking voice was heard repeating her words, +and skipping over the rocks was seen the well-remembered rabbit-skin of +the Herb Elf.</p> + +<p>Laura was very much provoked at her own carelessness, and annoyed at +again seeing her teasing acquaintance of the woods reappear; but she had +gained a little wisdom from her former encounter, and took care not to +show her vexation.</p> + +<p>But Kathie was very much alarmed, and clung<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> close to Laura. The Herb +Elf, seeing this, brandished his bludgeon, and executed a fantastic +series of capers.</p> + +<p>"Afraid, are you?—ho! ho! he! he! A great big girl afraid of me!" he +sung.</p> + +<p>"I am not afraid, Mr. Elf," said Laura. "You and I have met before, and +what nice honey you gave me! I am sure Kathie would like some, and are +you too busy to help me find my staff?"</p> + +<p>"Lost it again, have you? Oh, you're a nice one! I am busy pruning +witch-hazels, and your knife has been very useful."</p> + +<p>"So much the more reason why you should find my staff again for me. +Please, Mr. Elf, do be as kind as you were before."</p> + +<p>"Let me see you dance again."</p> + +<p>Laura took Kathie's hand and whirled her away in a waltz till they were +both breathless, while Kathie whispered, "What shall we do to get away +from this strange little creature?"</p> + +<p>"He will find my staff if we are good-natured,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> replied Laura, in a +whisper, "and we never could get back to the Motherkin without it."</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 358px;"> +<img src="images/ill_008.jpg" width="358" height="500" alt=""THE HERB ELF CAME UP BEHIND KATHIE AND GAVE A TWITCH TO ONE OF HER BROWN BRAIDS."" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"THE HERB ELF CAME UP BEHIND KATHIE AND GAVE A TWITCH TO ONE OF HER BROWN BRAIDS."</span> +</div> + +<p>Suddenly the Herb Elf came up behind Kathie, and, jumping up vigorously, +gave a twitch to one of her brown braids.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p> + +<p>"They don't come off, then?" he said, as Kathie winced.</p> + +<p>"No, they are not meant to," said Laura, in some haste, fearing he might +be disposed to cut one.</p> + +<p>"I was in China once, and saw all the men with pigtails—how do you +think I would look with one?"</p> + +<p>"Queer," answered Laura, still fearing he might covet Kathie's beautiful +hair.</p> + +<p>"Not at all queer," said the elf, angrily, stamping his foot and +hitching his rabbit-skin from shoulder to shoulder.</p> + +<p>A bright thought just then came to Kathie, but fearing to speak to the +Herb Elf, she whispered it to Laura.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mr. Elf," said Laura, "Kathie thinks you would be grand with a +great long Chinese queue, and she says she is sure she could make one +for you."</p> + +<p>At this the elf looked greatly pleased, and cut a very curious caper.</p> + +<p>"But," continued Laura, "she needs some flax to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> make it of, for her +dark brown hair would not be at all becoming to you."</p> + +<p>The elf frowned at this, and asked, "Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it would be really ridiculous; instead of looking like a Chinese +mandarin, a splendid, elegant Chinese, you would be exactly like an ugly +old Indian who had scalped somebody—indeed, it would not be nice," said +Laura, very earnestly, so afraid was she that the elf would insist upon +having one of Kathie's beautiful braids. "But if you would get us some +lovely yellow flax, Kathie would plait it, and we would fasten it on for +you, and then you would find my staff for me, and we would be your +friends forever."</p> + +<p>"Ho! ho! he! he!" laughed the elf. "Well, I'll get the flax;" and away +he went, leaving the two girls again alone.</p> + +<p>Laura squeezed Kathie, and told her she was a jewel for thinking of the +flax, for she certainly would have had to cut off her hair had she not +been so shrewd.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p> + +<p>By this time they were hungry; so, opening their basket, they sat down +to their dinner. Birds hopped tamely near them for the crumbs, and +squirrels leaped, chattering, from bough to bough. They finished their +lunch, but still the elf did not return; they did not dare to go from +the spot where he had left them, and their little hearts were full of +anxiety, for if he should not return, how could they ever find their way +through the woods without the precious staff? Laura blamed herself for +her giddiness, and wondered how she could for a moment have been so +forgetful. Kathie tried to comfort her, and suggested that if they found +it again it would be well to tie or fasten it in some way to her +girdle.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<p>Just as the girls were thinking what they should do for the night in +case they were obliged to remain in this place, they heard a little +shout, and their eyes were gladdened by the welcome sight of the +rabbit-skin, and trailing behind the elf was a large bunch of flax.</p> + +<p>He came slowly towards them, and flung the flax at their feet, saying, +"I have had hard work to get this, I can tell you; this is something we +have nothing to do with, and I have robbed a garden for it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, how could you be so wicked?" exclaimed Laura.</p> + +<p>The elf made one of his strange grimaces, and stood on his head a +moment.</p> + +<p>"So you call that wicked, do you?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes; robbing is very wicked."</p> + +<p>"If I planted ever so much catnip in its place, what do you call that?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, that was all fair, I suppose."</p> + +<p>"Well, don't suppose anything more about it, but just go to work, if you +want your stick."</p> + +<p>At this Kathie began to plait most diligently, and Laura, finding a bit +of blue ribbon somewhere about her dress, tied the end of the long braid +with it. The elf watched them closely—his little black beady eyes +following every movement of Kathie's dexterous fingers, while Laura held +the flax. When it was finished, Laura proposed fastening it in the elf's +cap as the easiest way for him to wear it, and then when he chose he +could lay it aside. This suited exactly, and the little furry rabbit's +head was soon adorned with this peculiar ornament. When the elf put it +on he gave a shout of glee, but afterwards became very grave—whether +the weight oppressed him, or whether he remembered that Chinese +sedateness and dignity would be appropriate, cannot be determined;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> but +Laura and Kathie both assured him he looked very grand.</p> + +<p>"And now," said Laura, "please be so good, Mr. Elf, as to give me my +staff, for we have a long way to go, and have lost much time."</p> + +<p>The elf at this request began his queer capers again, but finding the +long queue very much in his way, stopped short, and asked Laura why she +could not stay awhile in the woods with him, and said that he would get +her more honey, and find her the prettiest red cup-moss and maidenhair +ferns she had ever seen. Laura declined very resolutely, saying that the +Motherkin and Grim had charged her not to delay.</p> + +<p>Then the elf made hideous faces, and blew a shrill whistle through his +fingers, whereat a swarm of mosquitoes buzzed around the children most +uncomfortably.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 384px;"> +<img src="images/ill_009.jpg" width="384" height="500" alt=""THEY BATHED THEIR SWOLLEN AND DISFIGURED FACES."" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"THEY BATHED THEIR SWOLLEN AND DISFIGURED FACES."</span> +</div> + +<p>"Really, Mr. Elf," said Laura, brandishing her handkerchief wildly about +to keep off the stinging insects, "I thought you were more of a +gentleman<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> than this. A Chinese mandarin would not vex us in this way. +I have a pretty turquoise ring on my hand, which, if my staff were here, +I might give you— But, oh! oh! how these things do bite! Come, Kathie, +let us run," she added; and, seizing Kathie's hand, she started off.</p> + +<p>"Hey! not so fast. Here is your staff. The ring! the ring! where is it?" +called the elf.</p> + +<p>"I cannot stay in that swarm of mosquitoes," replied Laura, still +running; but the elf was quicker than she, and, leaping before her, +threw her staff across her path. "Here is the ring," replied Laura; "and +next time you meet any children, I hope you will be kinder to them than +you have been to us."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you are too stupid to have any fun. Just a little joke like that +was nothing at all."</p> + +<p>Laura made no answer, but, seizing her staff, she and Kathie hurried +into the woods in search of a brook where they could bathe their swollen +and disfigured faces. When they began their walk again, nothing was seen +of the elf.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I do hope we shall now have no more to hinder us, Kathie. See, I have +tied my stick to my wrist."</p> + +<p>"And we had better keep very quiet the rest of the way; for if we talk, +the elves may hear us, and contrive something new to stop us."</p> + +<p>"Quite right, Kathie. We'll play we are hunters in search of game, and +not speak a word."</p> + +<p>So on they went till again the twilight made it necessary for them to +seek a place of repose for the night. An overhanging rock surrounded by +low bushes seemed an inviting spot, especially as the staff did not +withhold them from it. Kathie, more learned in woodland ways than Laura, +broke down branches of hemlock, and made a fragrant and spicy bed; and +then, too tired to do more than say their prayers, they both were asleep +in a few moments.</p> + +<p>It seemed to Laura that she had not been long asleep when something +wakened her. What it was she knew not. There was a soft stir in the +tree-tops, as if a light breeze were blowing—an occasional chirp from +some bird which had been disturbed,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> perhaps by a dream that its eggs +were broken; but otherwise all was still. Kathie was sleeping soundly, +and Laura closed her own eyes again, but again was aroused, and this +time by a cold something poking in her hand.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<p>The cold little nose of an animal it seemed; for it was followed by the +lapping of a warm little tongue, and the cuddling of a muffy, furry +little body against Laura. Still Kathie slept soundly, and Laura was too +frightened to waken her. Every moment she expected to hear a growl, and +have an angry bite from a set of savage teeth; but no bite or growl +coming, and the cuddling of the little creature seeming to be kindly, +she became less fearful, and her heart stopped its hurried beating.</p> + +<p>"Kathie!" she whispered—"Kathie!" But Kathie slept, and would not +waken.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 364px;"> +<img src="images/ill_010.jpg" width="364" height="500" alt=""KATHIE GAZED AT LAURA, SLEEPING WITH ONE HAND ON THE NECK OF A YOUNG BEAR CUB."" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"KATHIE GAZED AT LAURA, SLEEPING WITH ONE HAND ON THE NECK OF A YOUNG BEAR CUB."</span> +</div> + +<p>An owl hooted dismally, and Laura shivered, which only made the little +furry creature crowd nearer, as if for protection. She put out her +hand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> and felt of the soft warm fur; again the warm tongue touched her +hand, and reminded her of her spaniel Fido. She patted the head, +wondering if it were a dog. Fido she knew it could not be, for his head +was smaller, and he was every way more slender than this strange +creature. As her fears abated, and she became more reconciled to the +presence of this new-comer, she became drowsy again, and before long +fell as soundly asleep as was Kathie; and when morning came, with its +bird-calls and tender flush of dawn, Kathie was the first to waken; and +she gazed with astonishment, not unmixed with fear, at Laura, sleeping +with one hand resting on the neck of a young bear cub.</p> + +<p>Kathie had witnessed such strange and novel things in Laura's company +that she began to think Laura too was a fairy, and had something in +common with all the inhabitants of the woods; but so lovely was she in +Kathie's eyes, and so welcome had been her kindness and gentle sympathy, +that Kathie was disposed to think all that was good of Laura,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> and that +if she were a fairy, she was a very charming one. When Laura aroused, +however, her start of surprise and look of wonder at the little animal +beside her, and then her dimly remembered experience of the night coming +to her recollection taking off the edge of her fear, showed Kathie that +she was quite as much a human child as herself.</p> + +<p>The little bear had snuggled himself so close beside Laura that she +could not move without disturbing him. As yet he showed no signs of +waking; his eyes were tightly shut, and he was almost a ball in shape.</p> + +<p>"It's a real baby bear, Kathie. Where do you suppose he came from?"</p> + +<p>"I cannot imagine," answered Kathie. "But," she added, "I think we had +better hurry away, for fear its mother may come in search of it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Kathie, no; he is too cunning and pretty. I cannot give him up. See +how he nestles up to me, and how affectionate he is."</p> + +<p>"But the mother, Laura, would be very cruel to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> us. I have heard +terrible tales of children hugged to death by bears."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe he has a mother," said Laura, eagerly. "I think his +mother has probably been killed, and that he has come to us to be taken +care of. You need not look so doubtful, Kathie. Perhaps this was his +home, this very nook of ours where we have been sleeping, and he has +come seeking his mother, poor little cub, and not finding her, has lain +down here for warmth and comfort. I mean to keep him and take him home +with me. Now, Kathie, be good and help me, and you shall see what a dear +pet he will make. I think he is just as cunning and pretty as he can be, +and we will train him to do all sorts of funny things."</p> + +<p>Still Kathie looked anxious; but the cub wakened and whined, and ate +some oat-cake from Laura's hand, and when they rose to begin their walk +he trotted after them, as if afraid they were about leaving him. But +Laura was too delighted with the idea of a new pet to think of leaving +him, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> Kathie and she took turns in carrying the little creature when +it appeared to be tired; for, now they were nearing home, Laura's steps +were quicker, and the way seemed far less difficult.</p> + +<p>"How glad I shall be to see the dear Motherkin again!" said Laura, as +they rested for a while in the cool shadow of a great tree at whose +roots babbled a clear brook.</p> + +<p>Kathie looked sad and weary and homesick.</p> + +<p>"And how glad she will be to see you, Kathie dear!"</p> + +<p>"Do you think so, Laura? I am so unused to strange faces, and so afraid, +that I almost wish you had left me in the woods."</p> + +<p>"Ah, don't speak that way, Kathie; you might have starved there all +alone."</p> + +<p>"I am not ungrateful, dear Laura."</p> + +<p>"No, I know you are not, Kathie; you only miss little Fritz; but I am +going to find your father for you, and then, if you want to, you shall +go back to your own home, and my mamma and I will give<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> you a great many +nice things, and we will make it pleasant and comfortable for you."</p> + +<p>Kathie's face brightened at these kind words.</p> + +<p>"And what can I do for you?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you shall teach me to spin and knit and plait, and do all sorts of +things."</p> + +<p>And then they went on again, still followed by the little cub, around +whose neck Laura had hung a wreath of wild flowers, from which he +munched occasionally, and which she had as frequently to renew.</p> + +<p>They had no more strange adventures, for the staff guided them safely on +their way, and as the sun lowered, and the afternoon became cool, and +the birds were less noisy, Laura suddenly espied the gray figure and +scarlet cap of Grim, waiting on the edge of the wood to welcome the +little wayfarers. When he saw them, he tossed his cap high in the air as +a signal to the Motherkin, whose pleasant face quickly appeared, and in +a few moments Laura was in her embrace. Then followed the welcome to +Kathie,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> and even the cub came in for his share of attention; but as +they neared the cottage, to Laura's greater astonishment, her own dear +mamma came out and took her in her arms.</p> + +<p>"My child! my own dear Laura!" exclaimed her mother, tenderly, "how +altered you are! how you have grown! and what a fine healthy brown is +upon your cheeks! and, best of all, my dear friend tells me of the +loving pilgrimage you have just finished, and what a good girl my Laura +has become." And the mother kissed and clasped Laura, while tears of joy +fell from her eyes.</p> + +<p>Never had there been so charming a feast seen as the Motherkin had +prepared for the little pilgrims. All about the cottage in the trees +were hung colored lanterns, which, as the evening grew darker, gave out +brilliant sparkles of light; on the little lawn was a table laden with +fruits and creams and cakes, and the white cloth was festooned with pink +roses; rustic seats, dressed with flowers and canopied with boughs, were +arranged on a carpet of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> richly woven colors; vases and jars of +sweet-scented flowers adorned the tables, where glittered silver +pitchers and crystal cups.</p> + +<p>Lovely white dresses of thinnest muslin and coronets of white blossoms +had been prepared for the children, who, having bathed and refreshed +themselves, were led by Grim to their seats beside Lady Idleways and the +Motherkin, who listened with attention to Laura's account of her +journey.</p> + +<p>Grim listened, too, chuckling with pleasure as he moved about, waiting +upon his mistress and her guests.</p> + +<p>"Now, my dear Lady Idleways," said the Motherkin, "I can let Laura +return to you with great satisfaction, for I am quite sure she has been +much benefited by her visit to us. She came to me a spoiled, too much +indulged child; she goes back to you a sensible, intelligent being, with +a desire to be useful, and with sympathy for her fellow-creatures."</p> + +<p>"But, my dear Motherkin," said Laura, with tears<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span>, "am I to go home and +never, never see you again, or Grim, or Kathie, or my dear little bear, +or have any more happy days in the woods?"</p> + +<p>"Why, no, my dear Laura," said her mother, quickly. "You shall take +Kathie home with you, and your dear little bear, and all that you love; +and you shall see the Motherkin very often—as often as she will let you +come to the Forest of Pines; and we will spend all our days in the woods +if you wish, for I shall want you to go about with me among the +cottages, and see what we can do for the poor people in them; besides, +you forget that we are to find Kathie's father for her, and make her +home a happy one again."</p> + +<p>"And after all, dear Laura, you need never suffer for want of my +company," said the Motherkin; "for though I asked your mother not to +reveal my name before you came to me, I have no wish to make it any +longer a secret. I am the fairy Industry. Be industrious, dear child, +and I am always at your service."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<p>Nothing more beautiful could well have been imagined than the day Lady +Idleways, Laura, and Kathie started for Idleways Castle. Towards morning +there had been a shower, which freshened every leaf, and gave a +glittering touch to every flower. It was a joyous, glad day, when even +the birds seemed to be happier; and when Laura bade farewell to her kind +friends, sorry as she was to leave them, she could not be unhappy.</p> + +<p>The Motherkin and Grim escorted them through their woods and beyond the +door in the rock where Laura had first seen the fairy. At this point +they exchanged good wishes and made their final adieux, the Motherkin +never venturing out of the confines<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> of the Forest of Pines—at least to +mortal vision she never went farther.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 398px;"> +<img src="images/ill_011.jpg" width="398" height="500" alt=""LAURA THOUGHT SHE SAW A FAMILIAR OBJECT BEHIND A BUSH OF SWEETBRIER."" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"LAURA THOUGHT SHE SAW A FAMILIAR OBJECT BEHIND A BUSH OF SWEETBRIER."</span> +</div> + +<p>As they reached the limit of the woods, where Lady Idleways's carriage +was waiting, Laura thought she saw a familiar object partly hiding +behind a bush of sweetbrier. Kathie's eyes also turned in the same +direction, and she whispered to Laura, "Is that the Herb Elf, or is it +only a rabbit?"</p> + +<p>"It is the elf. Look at his queue. I wonder what he wants? He seems to +be afraid of being noticed. Look! he is waving his cap to us, and then +he retreats behind the bush again."</p> + +<p>"What is it detains you, children?" asked Lady Idleways; for both Kathie +and Laura lingered a little.</p> + +<p>"The Herb Elf, mamma," whispered Laura.</p> + +<p>"I see nothing but a rabbit, my dear."</p> + +<p>"But it <i>is</i> the elf, mamma. May I go speak to him? He may want to say +good-bye."</p> + +<p>"Are you not afraid of his mischievous tricks?"</p> + +<p>"He would not dare do any harm to me with you so near, mamma."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Go, then; but do not let him urge you away out of my sight." Laura ran +to the bush of sweetbrier behind which the elf was hiding, at which he +capered and frisked about as if highly pleased.</p> + +<p>"So you are going home, are you?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am going, and Kathie is going with me. How could you let those +mosquitoes torment us so? The bites hurt yet. Look!" and she held out a +swollen finger.</p> + +<p>At this the elf fumbled in his pockets, and drew out a peculiar-looking +ring. It seemed to be cut out of coral.</p> + +<p>"There," said he, "this will make you believe me somewhat your friend. +Let me put it on that finger. See, the swelling goes down. While you +wear this, no insect can ever trouble you. Had you been ugly with me, I +should not have given you this. But you can have your choice between it +and your own blue ring. Which do you prefer?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yours, Mr. Elf, of course. Why, it's a real treasure."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Of course it is; it came from China. Will you ever come to these woods +again?"</p> + +<p>"I hope so. Good-bye, Mr. Elf, good-bye."</p> + +<p>"Good-bye. You are a real little lady. Good-bye." And with any number of +twists and jerks and queer contortions, the rabbit-skin and its owner +disappeared in the forest.</p> + +<p>Lady Idleways and Kathie looked at the elf's gift, and pronounced it a +very useful and pretty trinket. Then they all got in the carriage, and +turned their thoughts towards home.</p> + +<p>It was late when they reached the castle; for the coachman lost his way, +and they were detained. Lights were gleaming from all the windows, and +as they neared the broad steps a delightful strain of music welcomed +their approach. Servants were waiting to greet them, and Laura was quite +overwhelmed with all their kind attentions. She could not but remember +how coldly and indifferently she had been in the habit of receiving +kindness before she left home; for, child that she was, she had learned<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> +to think and reflect. Thrown upon her own efforts to make herself +comfortable and happy, and even to sustain her own life, she had grown +out of the listless, dissatisfied, unhappy child into a rational and +useful being, grateful and disposed to make others happy.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Miss Laura, what a tall, lovely girl you are!" exclaimed Nannette, +looking at her affectionately and turning her around. "Who dresses +you, dear? and who brushes your beautiful hair? I have been lost without +you."</p> + +<p>"I am my own maid, Nannette, and you will have to wait upon mamma in +future, or knit stockings for all the poor people. Do I not look well +dressed? Ah! here is my dear Fido. What a great big creature he has +become! And, oh! my dear Nannette, how are all the birds? and where is +Polly?</p> + +<p>"Welcome! welcome!" screamed Polly, in reply.</p> + +<p>Laura took Kathie about from room to room till the child was almost +bewildered; but so modest and refined was she by nature, that the +grandeur did not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> dazzle her. She was just the same simple, quiet child +of the woods, with a heart-sick and homesick longing to return to her +own poor home; and it was not many days before Laura and Lady Idleways +saw that the little wood-violet was drooping.</p> + +<p>Kathie had been allowed a room next to Laura's, and each day Lady +Idleways gave them lessons together. They walked, they rode, they +gathered flowers. Kathie was teaching Laura to knit, and Laura was +teaching Kathie many little nice ways about herself; and Laura was all +brightness and energy—a veritable sunbeam, as all in the castle said; +but Kathie grew quieter and sadder, and one day Laura found her unable +to rise from her bed. In alarm she went to her mother.</p> + +<p>"Mamma, Kathie is ill; her head is hot, and she says strange things to +me, and she moans as if in pain."</p> + +<p>Lady Idleways found the child truly ill, and she had to forbid Laura's +even seeing her, for she knew not but that her fever might prove to be +contagious.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span></p> + +<p>Nannette shook her head wisely, and took her place at the bedside, as if +now she had indeed some thing to occupy her.</p> + +<p>Laura was lost without her companion, but made fresh bouquets and sent +them in every morning to her, and was always ready at the end of the +long hall to wait upon Nannette, that she might not leave her charge a +moment. Lady Idleways sent for a physician, and his face looked grave +when he came from Kathie's bedside.</p> + +<p>"What is it, mamma?" asked Laura, as, with her books and Fido, she sat +in the embrasure of the large hall window, waiting for the doctor's +decision.</p> + +<p>"It is a low fever, my darling, and we must do something to cheer the +child and make her hopeful. I am going now to write to your papa, to see +if he can get permission for Kathie's father to return. Meanwhile we +will get their cottage in order, cleaned, and made comfortable with all +that they need, and then we will take the little wild bird back to its +nest. These woodland creatures cannot live<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> away from their haunts. Do +you understand, my Laura?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, mamma; but I am so sorry."</p> + +<p>"So am I, dear child."</p> + +<p>So it was decided. The letter was written, and a favorable answer came. +Day after day went by, and yet Kathie could only take a little soup and +a little wine, and Laura was allowed to go beneath her window and talk +to her a while. And Lady Idleways was very busy, driving out to the +forest every day with a donkey-cart laden with many useful goods, going +and returning with work-people, and coming home to bid Laura hope that +Kathie would soon be very well and happy again.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 367px;"> +<img src="images/ill_012.jpg" width="367" height="500" alt=""SHE WAS NOW ALLOWED TO SIT BESIDE KATHIE AND READ A LITTLE TO HER"" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"SHE WAS NOW ALLOWED TO SIT BESIDE KATHIE AND READ A LITTLE TO HER"</span> +</div> + +<p>At last Kathie was pronounced able to leave her room. The summer had +ripened into autumn, and the leaves, which had turned crisp and brown, +had fallen, making the branches bare. The air was sharp and frosty. +Great logs burned in the fireplaces, delighting Laura with their +cheerful blaze, and keeping her busy in the twilight finding pictures in +the flames. She was now allowed to sit beside Kathie and read a little +to her, a few verses, a hymn, or a Bible story. And to Laura was given +the pleasant task of telling Kathie she was soon to see her father. It +happened this way. Kathie had been carried out for fresh air in +Nannette's arms, and was resting on cushions; it was the middle of the +day, and the sunlight streamed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> through the broad windows. Laura was +roasting chestnuts, and as she drew them from the ashes she said,</p> + +<p>"Kathie, if I were a fairy and you had a wish, what should I turn this +nut into for you?—a pot of gold?"</p> + +<p>"No, dear Laura. I do not want a pot of gold."</p> + +<p>"But I know what you do want, and what you shall have."</p> + +<p>"Ah, Laura, you are too good to me, and I am ashamed to say I want +anything."</p> + +<p>"But it is not <i>anything</i>, it is <i>somebody</i>, you want; and there is +mamma at the window, all wrapped up in a shawl, beckoning me out to see +a soldier who has just gotten down from a horse, and he looks enough +like you, Kathie, to be your father." With which rather sudden +announcement Laura ran out of the room, and soon came back ushering in a +tall man with bronzed cheeks and heavy mustache and a kind eye like +Kathie's; and Kathie was next in his arms, and her face hidden on his +breast.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span></p> + +<p>Not many days after, with grateful words and kindest thanks, the soldier +and his little girl went to their home in the woods. The forester had +received his discharge from the army through Laura's papa.</p> + +<p>Laura often went to visit Kathie in her own home, which Lady Idleways +had made bright and sweet; and Kathie could never do enough for Laura to +prove her gratitude. Stockings of softest and whitest wool knit by +Kathie, with delicious cheeses and cakes she had made, were sent to the +castle. The forester carved beautiful toys and footstools and +picture-frames and crosses for the kind friends of his little girl.</p> + +<p>As a parting gift Laura had bestowed upon Kathie the young bear she had +befriended in the woods, and which, chained in the stable-yard, had +grown large and fat and tame. Laura had found it a rather awkward pet, +less tractable to her teachings than she had supposed it would be; but +the forester promised that the animal should have the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> best of care, and +be taught all that a tame bear ought to know.</p> + +<p>So many people settled in the villages near, and so many houses and +factories were to be found after a while, that the good fairy and Grim +had to take their departure. The elves, too, disappeared, leaving behind +them only their garden beds of bitter herbs.</p> + +<p>Laura, however, lost none of the good lessons the fairy had taught her, +and was never happier than when doing some kind act for those who had +less to make them comfortable and thankful than had the Princess +Idleways.</p> + +<h4>THE END.</h4> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Princess Idleways, by Mrs. W. J. Hayes + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PRINCESS IDLEWAYS *** + +***** This file should be named 30955-h.htm or 30955-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/0/9/5/30955/ + +Produced by Annie McGuire. 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J. Hayes + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Princess Idleways + A Fairy Story + +Author: Mrs. W. J. Hayes + +Release Date: January 13, 2010 [EBook #30955] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PRINCESS IDLEWAYS *** + + + + +Produced by Annie McGuire. This book was produced from +scanned images of public domain material from The Internet +Archive. + + + + + + + + + +[Illustration: "I HAVE BROUGHT MY LITTLE DAUGHTER TO YOU, MY +FRIEND."--[PAGE 19.]] + + + + +The Princess Idleways + +_A FAIRY STORY_ + + +BY +MRS. W. J. HAYS + + +ILLUSTRATED + + +NEW YORK AND LONDON +HARPER & BROTHERS PUBLISHERS + + +Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1879, by +HARPER & BROTHERS, +In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +You must not suppose that the Princess Idleways was a great, grand +woman, for she was not: she was only a little lovely girl named Laura. +To be sure, she was of high birth; that is to say, her father and +grandfather and great-grandfather, as well as all the fine lady +grandmothers, were people who, not obliged to labor for themselves or +others, having always had more time and wealth and pleasure than they +knew what to do with, were something like the beautiful roses which grow +more and more beautiful with planting and transplanting, and shielding +from too hot a sun or too sharp a wind; but, for all that, roses, as you +know, have thorns. + +Little Laura Idleways was as bright and bewitching in appearance as any +rosebud, but she had a few thorns which could prick. She lived in a +great castle high up in the mountains, from the windows of which she +could see hill after hill stretching far away up to the clouds, and +eagles flapping their great wings over deep ravines, down which tumbled +foaming cascades. The castle was a very ancient building, and part of it +was nearly a ruin; indeed, it was so old that Laura's father--who was a +soldier, and not much at home--had decided not to repair it, but allowed +the stones to fall, and would not have them touched; so the wild vines +grew luxuriantly over them, and made a beautiful drapery. But the part +of the castle in which Laura lived was no ruin. The thick walls kept it +cool in summer and warm in winter, and made nice deep seats for the +windows, which were hung with heavy folds of crimson silk. The walls +were covered with superb paintings, the wide rooms were beautiful with +all manner of comforts and luxuries. Low divans of rich and soft +material, ottomans and rugs of Persian and Turkish wool, statues and +statuettes of marble, graceful forms, filled the corners and the niches. +Birds of many colors sang in golden cages, and curious cuckoo-clocks +chimed the hours. Laura's mamma was a fine musician, and her harp and +piano were always ready to yield sweet tones. The library shelves held +books of all kinds and colors; and the cabinets of richly carved wood, +before the glass doors of which Laura often stood, contained rare +shells, minerals, stuffed birds and insects, and strange foreign things +that a child could only wonder about. + +Of all places in which to play "hide-and-seek," this castle was the +best--it had so many nooks and corners, such little cosy turns in the +stairs, such odd cupboards, such doors in strange places, so many quaint +pieces of furniture to hide behind--and yet Laura never played +hide-and-seek. + +There was a delicious garden, too, full of fragrant bushes and arbors +and rustic seats, and two fountains rained liquid diamonds into marble +basins. But Laura did not play in the garden. + +The truth is, Laura was a petted, spoiled, wayward little creature, +always depending upon others for entertainment, too lazy to amuse +herself, and much less inclined to study or to find happiness in being +useful. + +She had nurses and governesses. She had toys and trinkets, and the +latter were of about as much service as the former. Her mother had +always loved her fondly, but even she began to see that something was +amiss with Laura, and to think her little child needed something she +could not buy for her. Absorbed in her books, her music, and her +embroidery, Laura's mother was constantly occupied; but, strange to say, +she seemed to forget that Laura, too, might need occupation. One day +Laura's mamma went alone on an excursion into the woods. She had seemed +very much distressed. Her maid noticed that she had been intently +regarding Laura for several days, and had spoken of the child's +unhappiness. + +When she returned from her excursion with tearful eyes, and bade Laura +be ready for a little journey on the following day, every one in the +castle became alarmed. + +The nurses put their caps together and whispered. Even Polly on her +perch screamed out, "What's the matter? what's the matter?" but no one +took any notice of her. Laura did not know whether to be pleased or +displeased; but she was, of course, inclined to sulk about it, rather +than to clap her hands with glee and shout for joy. + +[Illustration: "THEY FOUND HER, CURLED UP IN A LITTLE HEAP, FAST +ASLEEP."] + +She watched the preparations made for her departure with indifference, +although her pretty frocks were taken down from their hooks in the +closets, and her gay ribbons from their boxes, and a trunk of cedar-wood +with silver bands was brought into the little pretty room, or _boudoir_, +as it was called, which joined the bedrooms. Almost any child would have +been pleased to watch this getting ready to go away, and would have +entered into the details with interest. Many a one would have busied +herself with packing her little treasures, her doll's clothes, or her +playthings; but Laura stood in a listless way in the door, leaning first +upon one foot, then upon the other, wondering just a little where it +might be that she was going, and teasing her little spaniel when he +leaped to caress her, till, tired of watching the maids, she wandered +off to gaze into the cabinet I have spoken of. And when evening came, +there they found her, curled up in a little heap, fast asleep. Fido, +too, was asleep beside his little mistress, for, much as she teased him, +he yet loved her. + +The morning dawned clear and cool, and Laura's mamma bade the nurses put +plenty of wraps in the travelling carriage; she also bade them give +Laura a cup of hot chocolate, which was an unusual luxury for the little +damsel. Laura's trunk was stowed away, and, to the surprise of all, hers +was the only trunk visible, so that it looked very much as if the Lady +Idleways meant to return sooner than the little princess--whose title, +by-the-way, had been given by her papa in jest, when she was an infant, +from some of her absurd little freaks of disdain. + +All through the light breakfast Lady Idleways never smiled, but watched +her daughter anxiously. Laura fed her spaniel and crumbled her rolls +indifferently. Her little face looked pale and her eyes dim, as if she +might have cried, but there were no tears to be seen; and when she bade +all the household "good bye," she seemed to be entirely unconcerned. And +in this mood she stayed while the carriage rolled away down the hills, +and over the stone bridges, and past the cottages, till they came to the +woods. Then her mother drew her to her bosom and said, "Laura, darling, +I am about to do something for your good which seems very harsh. It +pains me, child, to do it; but you will thank me yet for it. In the +Forest of Pines, towards which we are now journeying, lives an old +friend of mine--a fairy friend--whom I have consulted in regard to you. +She knows that I desire your happiness, and she understands me when I +tell her that you seem drooping and unhappy; that it is more my +misfortune than my fault (for, having but one child, I do not know the +needs of children as well as those mothers who have many); and she has +bidden me bring you to her, with the promise that she will make you the +happy, loving little girl you ought to be. I shall feel the separation +keenly, I shall miss you sadly, but knowing that my little daughter is +to gain only good, I have made up my mind to let you make this visit." + +Laura pouted a little, wept a little, and then, as the woods became +denser, crept closer to her mother. + +"Am I to stay long, mamma?" she asked. + +"That I do not know; it depends upon yourself." + +"And what is the fairy's name, mamma?" + +"She bade me not tell you her name; she wishes you to call her simple +_Motherkin_." + +"How very queer!" said Laura. "I cannot do it." + +"You will do better to obey her, my child." + +"Is she cross? Is she ugly?" + +"You may think her plain, but she is neither cross nor ugly." + +The road here became almost blocked with bushes, and the wind in the +tops of the tall pine-trees made strange music. + +"I would rather go home, mamma," said Laura, in a coaxing voice. + +"That cannot be done, dearest," was the reply. + +"Why not?--why cannot I return with you?" + +"Because I have given my promise to the fairy, and a lady, my little +Laura, never breaks her word." + +Laura knew that her mamma was not to be urged after speaking with so +much decision; so she sank back on the cushions and tried to fall +asleep. But her curiosity and anxiety were both aroused, and her eyelids +would not stay shut. Presently the carriage stopped. + +"I can go no farther, my lady," said the coachman. + +"Then we must walk," said Lady Idleways; and she bade Laura descend also +from the carriage. "You can turn the horses and unstrap Miss Laura's +trunk," she also said to the man; "there will be some one coming for it +very soon, so have no hesitation in delivering it." The man bowed and +obeyed, and Laura, with her mother's hand in hers, plunged into the +forest. + + + + +CHAPTER II + + +It was a new thing for Laura to find her self on foot in the woods, to +push her way through the brambles, and assist her mother in finding a +path, and she fretted considerably at the necessity; but her mother, +taking no notice of the child's complaints, went resolutely on, as if +determined not to listen to anything that would make her unwilling to +complete her errand. So, clambering over fallen trees green with moss, +and slipping upon the pine needles, and occasionally getting a scratch +from a brier, went Lady Idleways and Laura, until they came to an +opening in the forest where the blue sky again was visible; but so, +also, was a great rock before them, too high for them to climb, and no +way to get around it. Pausing a moment, Laura's mother picked up a +little stick and rapped with it upon the rock. Instantly from under the +hanging vines a door, which no one could have supposed was there, flew +open, and from it came forth a neat little old lady in black gown and +white cap, leaning upon a gold-headed cane. + +She courtesied pleasantly and bade Lady Idleways enter; but Lady +Idleways declined, saying, "I have brought my little daughter to you, my +friend, as I promised. Do all you can for me and for her. I have bidden +her obey you, and I prefer leaving her now, lest my heart fail me. +Farewell, little Laura, for a short time. You are in excellent hands, +and must not be sad at parting. Give me a pleasant smile and a nice +good-bye kiss." And, clasping her in a close embrace, the mother +whispered more tender words in her ears, bade the old lady take good +care of her, and then turned hastily away, as if she feared to linger. + +Laura beheld all this in quiet astonishment; then, as her mother left +her, she flung herself upon the ground and wept passionately. But she +was not allowed to do this very long, for the old lady, rapping her cane +upon the rock, summoned to her assistance a funny old servant, as quaint +and as curious as herself, a dwarf of kindly, smiling face, dressed in a +gray blouse, with wooden shoes upon his feet, and a scarlet cap with a +long tassel on his head. + +"Hey, little missy!" said the old lady, "this will not do at all. Grim, +pick her up and take her to her own little bedroom in my cottage. If she +wishes to, she may lie there, but not here upon the ground." + +As Grim approached and was about lifting her, Laura sprang up, and would +have run from him, but his arms were of an extraordinary length, and he +had her safely in them before she could get away; so she could only +scream and sob to no purpose. + +Grim whispered to her not to fear, that his mistress was very kind and +good; and his own voice was so gentle, and she was so curious to see the +interior of so strange an abode, that in a little while she ceased +crying and looked about her. + +They went in under the hidden doorway, which led to a winding path +through the rocks. Here and there the sky could be seen through the +foliage above, but the path was nearly all under a shelving mass of +stone. At last they came to a little cottage, not much more than a hut, +but it was neat and spotless; it looked as if it might be nothing but a +bird's-nest built of grape-vines; but within were a tiled floor, a +chimney-corner where hung a savory-smelling kettle of soup, and +curiously carved chairs and shelves were against the walls. + +Grim mounted a ladder in one corner, still with Laura in his arms, and +placed her in a tidy upper room, where were one window, a little stool, +and a straw bed. + +"There, child; now do be good, and don't trouble the Motherkin. She is +used to children, and they all learn to love her; and if there is +anything I can do for you, I am always ready; but no more of this angry +sobbing, I beg of you." + +So saying, Grim went off down the ladder, leaving Laura alone. + +The child was bewildered. What could she do alone? Never had she been +alone at home; the nurses were always beside her, except when she +purposely wandered away from them to frighten them. + +She looked about her--at the hard but white little bed, at the few pegs +on the wall, at the strip of scarlet wool by the bedside, at the bare +boards of the floor, at the ebony cross over the head of the bed--and +she wondered if this humble little apartment was to be hers. Then she +heard the rushing voice of a brook, and she leaned out of the window to +see it tumbling over the rocks in merry sport. Tired, homesick, and +perplexed, she turned from the window and lay down upon the bed, still +listening to the brook, till sleep came and put an end to her +wonderings. + +She slept heavily a long while, but was wakened by a rapping on the +floor beneath. + +"Come, child, come; it is time you were hungry. Wash your face outside +in the brook, and we will have some dinner," called the Motherkin. + +She did not dare disobey, but sullenly crept down the ladder and went +out to the brook, as she had been told. The pure cold stream refreshed +her, and she could have dabbled in it willingly a longer time, but again +came the call: + +"Come, come; it is late. Grim has to go on a journey, or I should have +asked you to set the table and help me prepare the dinner; but he was in +haste, and has done it all. + +"What will you have, child?--brown bread and cheese, good sweet milk, +curds, and cream?" + +"Peasant fare," thought Laura; "such as our cowherds at home have. I +will not eat;" and she drew disdainfully off; but the Motherkin took no +notice of her disdain, and placed some food before her. She was too +hungry long to refuse, but she almost choked over the coarse brown +bread. It was good, however, and so was all the rest, and in spite of +herself she ate abundantly. + +The old lady smiled whimsically, and bade her, as soon as she had +finished her meal, tie on a long apron and assist her in putting things +in order. This was really unbearable. + +"No, I will not do it," said Laura, firmly. + +"Oh, my little damsel, do not be ungracious," said the Motherkin. "I +shall have to ask your assistance in many things, for my good, faithful +Grim has to be away; he has had to go in search of a wonderful herb +which heals many ailments, and which is only found in a region far from +here; and as it is to relieve poor sick people, I cannot refuse to allow +him. His absence, however, obliges me to do his work, and I am sure you +will not see an old friend of your mother making unnecessary exertions +that a young pair of arms and legs can do so much better than old ones." + +At this Laura opened her eyes in astonishment, and glancing down at her +dress, murmured, + +"I am not allowed at home to soil my clothes or my hands; they will get +too coarse and rough, Nannette, my nurse, says." + +"No matter for Nannette; you are too much of a lady not to assist me. +Come, we will arrange about the clothes afterwards. I have some pretty +little gingham gowns which will fit you, and we will lay aside these +fine feathers." + +Thus appealed to, though in a very novel manner, on the score of her +ladyhood, Laura tied on the apron and obeyed the Motherkin with less +reluctance. She was awkward, and made mistakes. She placed cups where +plates should go, and turned things upside down and downside up. And +when the old lady told her she had done enough, she sat down and cried +for vexation, she had done so badly. Again came the whimsical little +smile on the Motherkin's face, and, opening the door, she said, + +"Come, Laura, and see my cow and my pig, and let me show you my +garden." + +Laura rose, but scorned the amusement, and soon found herself admiring +both cow and pig, for both were white and clean as two roses; and when +the Motherkin showed her a corner which was to be her own garden, to dig +in as she pleased, she no longer felt contemptuously as she had done. +But the novelty of having a garden and being allowed to dig in it did +not make her less homesick and dreary when bedtime came, and she had to +creep off alone to the clean but hard little bed. She slept, though, +soundly and well. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +The rushing of the brook wakened Laura, and she gazed about her; slowly +and dimly the sense of where she was came upon her, and she resolved +that she would stay in bed. There was no nurse to dress her, no elegant +toilet arrangements such as she was always in the habit of using: a +little earthenware bowl and jug in the place of her luxurious bath, a +good coarse towel instead of the snowy damask linen, and over the foot +of the bed a common print dress and a checked apron, both spotlessly +clean, had been placed. She looked at them and buried her face in her +pillow. The Motherkin called her in vain. After waiting a long while, +she came up to her. + +"Why are you not out of bed, my child?" she asked, most kindly. "It is +a bright, clear morning. Are you not well?" + +Laura said nothing; ashamed of her own sulkiness, she yet was not +prepared to acknowledge it. + +"Come, shall I help you dress? Do you need assistance?" + +Still no reply. + +"Ah, what a pity you are ill!" said the Motherkin. "I had some nice +chocolate ready for your breakfast, but I will have to go make some +gruel. Poor child! poor child!" And away she went, leaving Laura with +her head still buried in her pillow. In a short time she returned, +bearing a large cup of gruel and a slice of bread, which she placed +beside Laura. Then she bathed the child's face and brushed her hair, +Laura submitting in silence. When she had rearranged the bed and made it +comfortable, she kissed her and left her. + +After a while Laura tasted the gruel, making faces over it; but she +emptied the cup. In the same way the bread disappeared; and then, +getting very tired of lying in bed, she rose and went to the window. + +What a day it was! so sunny and bright! And how merrily ran the brook, +and how she longed to see its drops sparkle between her fingers as they +had done the day before! How velvety and soft was the grass, how yellow +the buttercups! and she was sure she saw a humming-bird dipping down +into the flowers in the Motherkin's garden. + +A new idea came to her. Why not dress and get out of the window, +underneath which was a shed, and so drop down into the garden? The +clothes were slipped on hurriedly; her little fingers were so eager that +the buttons went in and out of their holes again. Then softly on tiptoe +she scrambled out. Her skirts caught, her fingers were scratched, the +skin was peeled from a spot on one little knee; but, ah! how delicious +this liberty! Her feet no sooner touched the earth than she ran swiftly +to the brook, and the shoes and stockings were left to themselves while +she waded in the clear, cool water. It was such an unknown delight, +such happiness, that Laura forgot she was Laura and might have been any +little wood-bird. Out of the brook and on to the grass, off the grass +and into the woods. Flowers were here, and she gathered her hands and +apron full; berries, too--sweet, red, wild strawberries, with a perfume +so rare, so aromatic. She stained her fingers and stained her lips. +Hark! what was that? A rabbit, and down went flowers and berries for a +hunt over the stones and briers. Heeding nothing, she went after Bunny, +who suddenly popped into his burrow with a whisk of his little tail and +a kick of his little legs for good-bye. Then a loud chattering made her +aware of Mr. Squirrel's presence, and she watched him jumping from bough +to bough. Wondering if he would come to her if she kept very still, she +sat so motionless that by-and-by her little head began to nod, and, +wearied with her unusual exercise, she fell fast asleep leaning against +a tree. + +When she awoke she was still in the same posture; but her knee smarted, +her legs were stiff, and she was very hungry. Besides, she knew not +which way to turn. She was lost--or thought herself so, which was nearly +as bad. + +After all, it would be nice to see the Motherkin's kind face and hear +her pleasant voice. But how should she explain her naughtiness, her +make-believe sickness; and how, above all, should she find her way back? +A few tears of repentance and real sorrow rained down awhile, and then +Laura, who was no coward, made up her mind that she would tell the +Motherkin the truth, and that she was sorry and would try to do better. + +[Illustration: "IT WAS ONE OF THE MOTHERKIN'S PIGS."] + +A rustling in the bushes startled her, but she hoped it might be Grim. +It was not, however; but it was one of the Motherkin's pigs; and, +knowing that Monsieur Piggie had to go home some time or other, she +thought the safest course would be to follow him. + +Alas! Mr. Pig was no gallant; he had not even common courtesy. He did +not so much as grunt agreeably, but squealed in the most piggish +manner; for he, too, was hungry, and he led poor Laura right through a +swamp, covering her with mud. + +As they emerged from the swamp, Laura thought she saw the cottage far +away under the hill before them; and as Piggie ran squealing on, she +kept up the pursuit. Into the woods again and out through the bushes, +till a nice hedge showed they were near home; and now Mr. Piggie ran off +to his sty, and Laura, creeping through the hedge and up the garden-walk +with downcast face, went up to the open door, longing to throw herself +into the Motherkin's arms and ask her pardon for all her bad behavior. + +No one was to be seen. Not a sound came from the cottage. The door stood +open, and on the table was a loaf of brown bread and a pitcher of milk. + +Laura knew not what to do. She was ravenously hungry, but she was in too +dirty a condition to touch food. She looked in and out and around, but +no one was there. She mounted the ladder in hopes yet of finding the +Motherkin. Her room was as she had left it, with the exception of a +note pinned on the muslin curtain of the window. It read thus: + + "LITTLE LADY LAURA,--Necessary and urgent business compels me to + leave home for a day or two. My good, kind, faithful Grim has + fallen and lamed himself, and I must attend to various matters + which he always has done for me. You are quite safe here--no one + can molest you; but you will be obliged to prepare your own food, + feed the chickens and pigs, milk the cow, and keep the cottage + tidy. Do this bravely, little Laura, and you will be rewarded. + Remember that a lady is none the less a lady for being able to + take care of herself and others, and also remember that the + faithful creatures who are dependent upon you will suffer if you + neglect them. Animals they are, but God made them and requires us + to be kind to them." + +This was all the note said, except that "THE MOTHERKIN" was written +underneath as signature. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +If Laura had been astonished before, she was still more so now, and so +much so that she really could not collect her thoughts. She felt like +crying, but she could not; she felt angry, but there was no way of +venting anger; so she just sat still on the floor awhile and counted the +nails in the boards. This had the happiest effect, for, after she had +gone over and over the nails, a few quiet thoughts came to her. + +First she must make herself clean; so, dropping all her clothes, she +gave herself, for the first time in her life, a good scrubbing. She made +a great splashing, and succeeded in getting the floor very wet; but she +also made herself very sweet and nice, and found plenty of clean clothes +ready for her hanging on the pegs. Then she went down below and ate a +whole loaf of bread and drank about a quart of milk. This also had a +good effect, for she began to face the situation, and determined to do +her best. As she sat meditating, she heard a great noise among the +fowls, and it reminded her of what she had to do. Going to the cupboard +in search of food for them, she found a slip of paper and a key; on the +slip of paper was written: + + "This key opens a door in the rock; there you will find food for + the chickens and pigs; hay and straw for the cow are in the barn. + The key-hole is just this side of the vine that hangs beside the + cottage door." + +Her doubts were now dispelled, and, doing as the paper directed, she +opened the door into a large, cool, rock cellar, full of provisions of +all kinds. + +On the shelves were pots of butter and lard, pans of sweet milk and +curds, empty pans shining, all ready for fresh milk, a milking-pail and +stool. Hams and tongues hung from the roof, with bunches of sweet +herbs. Barrels of flour and sugar, vinegar and molasses, were in another +room off the large one. Opening a closet, she found jars of clear +jellies and delicious preserves. Every fruit that one could think of was +here, crystallized in the most inviting manner. + +Nothing was wanting, not even cheeses or pickles, and on a shelf by +itself was a chicken-pie as if for her immediate use when hungry. + +Grain for the fowls stood ready in huge bags, and she knew, because +Nannette had told her, that sour milk was good for the pigs. After +surveying all these goodly stores, she went out to the chickens, just in +time to drive away a great hawk which was creating much fear among them. +Then Mr. Pig was attended to; but it was with much quaking that she +carried the milking-stool into the barn where waited the patient cow. +Never in all her life had she attempted this. Once or twice she had +watched the cowherds at the castle, and she hardly dared to think of +anything now in that dear home. Mooly was very quiet and good, and glad +to be relieved; but poor little Laura's fingers ached when her duty was +ended, and she was very tired by the time she had emptied the milk into +the pans and locked the rock cellar. Then she sat herself down in the +cottage doorway, and had a little homesick cry, and wondered if her +mother was playing on her harp in the great parlor of the castle, and if +she longed to see her little daughter. + +The twilight lingered, the stars peeped out, and weary little Laura +still sat, listening to the crickets, watching the fire-flies as they +flashed their tiny lamps in her face, and half humming the refrain of a +song of her mother's which seemed to be in tune to the falling waters of +the cascade. Then to bed, and the sweetest slumber came to the lonely +little maiden. + +Thus passed two, three, four days. Laura all alone, busy as a bee, +finding always something to do, gathering berries, arranging flowers, +living like a wild bird on what she could find--for she did not dare try +any cooking. But bread and milk, cheese, and cold chicken-pie, and a +dip into the jelly jars occasionally were very good fare, and the roses +had come into her cheeks and a healthful glitter in her eyes. She was +lonely, but she was not unhappy, and when, to her great surprise, the +Motherkin walked in one evening with Grim hobbling behind, she gave a +great shout of joy, and sprang into the Motherkin's arms. + +"Well done, little Laura! Think you I have not known how charmingly you +have kept house for me?" + +"How could you, dear Motherkin? and how can you ever forgive me for +running off as I did?" + +"Ah! we will let by-gones be by-gones; you have had all the punishment +necessary; now we must see what we can do to entertain our little guest. +Poor Grim has his herbs, but he has also a sprained ankle which we must +nurse. How have you liked being my maid?" + +Laura hung her head as she replied: "Truly, I have enjoyed it. Is it +ladylike for me to have done so?" + +"Surely it is, and, if you will have the patience to learn, I will make +you proficient in many other homely duties, such as knitting and +spinning." + +"But the peasants do those things." + +"Well, the peasants are happy." + +"But I shall not live as they do." + +"No matter; it is well you should understand all things; they may serve +you, they may not; they will teach you in many other ways. You will +learn to have sympathy for all; you will learn to be patient and +painstaking." + +"Then I will try." + +[Illustration: "AFTER THIS SHE ASSISTED THE MOTHERKIN IN DRESSING GRIM'S +ANKLE."] + +"That is all I ask. And now suppose I tell you all about these wonderful +herbs?" Picking up a sprig of each, the Motherkin related its qualities, +while Laura, with a pencil and paper, wrote down her words; then she +fastened each sprig in a slip of paper with its name attached. After +this she assisted the Motherkin in dressing Grim's ankle, carrying warm +water, and rolling the bandage, while Grim looked on with a funny face, +holding his cap with its scarlet tassel in one hand, and with the other +supporting himself in his chair. + +Then the fire had to be lighted and tea made, and Laura no longer was +awkward, but very alert, for now she had the willing spirit which makes +everything so much easier to do than where there is reluctance. + +After tea, Grim said he would tell her what he had seen on his little +journey, so, drawing near the chairs upon which he was resting, the +Motherkin and Laura listened to the old man's tale. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +"I must explain to little Lady Laura," said Grim, with a wave of his +hand towards the Motherkin, "if you will allow me, madam, that we +fairies have the power of making ourselves unseen whenever we wish, +though we seldom use the power except for some useful purpose." + +"Ah," thought Laura, "perhaps I was not so much alone in the Motherkin's +absence as I thought." + +"And thus it is," continued the dwarf, "that we see many strange things; +but I have nothing very remarkable at present to relate, for my journey +was an ordinary one but for my accident. I had to see the elves who had +charge of healing herbs, and gain their permission to cull them, for +they are very particular that they should be pulled in the right season, +and they so cover their gardens up that one could easily think there +was not a bit of motherwort or hoarhound to be found when they choose to +conceal them. To see the Chief Gardener Elf I had to go pretty far out +of my way, for he was off superintending the planting of some tansy +beds, and had quite an army of elves at work. I wish Lady Laura could +have seen them. They are such an odd crew; but it is as well not to +interfere with them while they are at work, for sometimes they are very +troublesome; they have a spiteful way of scattering weed seed, right +plump into a bed of roses or violets, that is very provoking. But they +were too busy to take much notice of me, and when I had gained the +permission I wanted, and was about to leave them, I thought I heard a +child's cry. It attracted me at once, for, you know, my lady, we have an +especial interest in children. + +"I listened, and again heard the cry; but the elves did not seem to hear +it at all. Concluding that it was best not to attract their attention to +it, for they are very teasing to little children, and often give them a +pinch which is supposed to come from a mosquito, and fearing that the +cry might come from some little unhappy victim of their malevolence, I +followed the sound until I came to a small house which looked as if it +might be a forester's--a forester, Lady Laura, you know, is one who +plants and trims the trees, and sees that the brushwood is cut properly, +and in every way keeps the forest in order. Well, as I said, the cry +came from this little cottage, and I made bold to enter invisibly. All +alone on a little bed of straw was lying a young child; it looked to me +as if it were a cripple, for its little feet were all drawn up and its +legs were bent. By its side was a stool on which had been some bread, +for I saw the crumbs; a tin cup was there also, but no milk, no water. +'Crying from hunger,' said I to myself; and, pulling out my luncheon, I +laid a bit of bread beside the little creature. He did not see it at +once, and kept on his sad little cry; but when he did notice the food, +his eager grasp of it assured me I was right in my supposition. Ah, my +Lady Laura, it is a dreadful thing to be hungry--to feel that gnawing in +one's stomach, as if one could almost swallow stones to stop it. Well, +the child ceased crying a moment and turned its little white, pinched +face towards me; it was a pitiful sight, it looked so old, so wan, so +wizened; but while I looked at it a bright smile came over it, just as +you see a gleam of sunshine lighten up a cold, dark little pool of +water, so this smile danced over the child's features. I was vain enough +for an instant to think myself the cause of the little creature's +pleasure, but, remembering I was invisible, I turned at some slight +sound and saw that another child had entered the door--a girl not larger +than yourself, Lady Laura, about eleven or twelve years of age, thin and +poor-looking, but with the sweetest, tenderest of faces. Her hair was a +dark chestnut brown, brushed away from her temples and braided neatly, +her eyes were the same color, and her skin was very white, but the +expression of her face was its charm. She looked so calm, so resigned, +so willing, so free from pettishness--but, oh! so much older and calmer +than her years. Coming in quickly, she lifted the little one from the +bed and folded him in her arms, where he nestled as if he were a bird, +and her embrace his warm, soft nest. + +"'Ah, my little Fritz,' she said, 'how tired you must be, how weary and +hungry! And does the little leg ache to-day? See, sister has a cake for +thee,' drawing from her pocket one poor little cake made of meal. + +"Her gentleness was exquisite, but it made my heart ache. I knew this +was all the food she had, and I was puzzled to know what to do. While I +was pondering the girl hushed the little one to sleep, after she had +rubbed his legs with her poor thin little hands. Laying the child down, +she brought in a few fagots and made a little blaze on the hearth, and +with a handful of herbs brewed some sort of a tea from the water in the +pot which hung over the blaze. It was a sorry sight, this poverty and +wretchedness, but it was a beautiful sight also to behold this sisterly +care and affection. Evidently she had long nursed this poor little +cripple. How could I relieve her? was my perplexity. I had not seen any +houses near, no neighbors were at hand. I determined to try and enlist +the sympathy of the Chief Gardener Elf, and yet I also feared the +result. Just as I left the little hut I met a woodsman, and the happy +thought came to me to whisper my wish in his ear; that is to say, I +spoke in fairy fashion my plan of relief for these poor children, +abandoned as they seemed to be by all human beings. I was rewarded by +seeing the man enter the little abode. Resolving to return as soon as I +could, I was making my way through the forest when I fell, and was +obliged to despatch the first Herb Elf who came in my way to gain +assistance. To my great annoyance, the Chief Gardener Elf had gone to +South America for seeds. I could not follow him, and I would not intrust +the lesser elves with a message to him, lest I should do the children +more harm than good. Relying, therefore, upon the little assistance +which the poor woodsman I met would undoubtedly give after my +suggestion, I was obliged, my dear madam, to return to you." + +"Oh, my dear Grim," cried Laura, "how could you leave them to starve! +Let us go, dear Motherkin--pray let us go to those poor little children. +Quick! quick! they must be suffering so much." + +She fell on her knees before the Motherkin in her great anxiety and +excitement, and the tears of pity rolled down from her blue eyes. + +Grim nodded his head with satisfaction. + +"Ay, my lady, do go; do not wait for my lame leg to get well. The way is +rough and fatiguing, but by all means let Lady Laura go and do what she +can for those suffering little ones." + +Laura did not want to wait a moment; she begged the Motherkin to start +at once, that very night; but the old lady insisted upon the night's +rest. + +"But I cannot sleep, dear Motherkin-- I am sure I cannot sleep; pray let +us go. I am so afraid they are suffering dreadfully." + +"We have to arrange matters a little, Laura," urged the Motherkin, +pleased at the child's earnest desire to aid the little unfortunates. "I +will go as early as we can to-morrow; and now let me see you show +prudence as well as zeal by sleeping soundly, and so fitting yourself +for the fatigue of a journey. Come, dear, to bed, and hope that the good +angels are caring for the little ones we are so sorry for." + +Grim, too, assured Laura that this plan was best, and that he felt +confident the woodsman would do all he could until they reached the +little sufferers. + +So Laura went to bed, her heart stirred with very new emotions, that +were both happy and painful; the desire to do good, the hope that she +might relieve the poor little objects of her pity, made her glad, while +the thought of their pain and poverty caused her real sorrow. Her bed no +longer seemed hard, nor her little room empty of any luxuries; and, as +she looked out at the stars glittering in the sky and listened to the +running of the brook, she prayed that she might be of use to the poor +children of the forest. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +"I have decided not to go upon this journey, Laura," were the first +words the Motherkin spoke after she had given her a morning embrace, as +the child came briskly in haste to receive it, and hear the plans which +she supposed Grim and the Motherkin had made after she had gone to bed +the night previous. + +"Oh, dear Motherkin," exclaimed Laura, "how can you forget those poor +little suffering creatures! My heart has ached for them even in my +dreams. All night I have been climbing rocks and wading brooks to get to +them, and now you tell me I cannot go. Oh, it is too, too hard!" + +"Gently, gently, Lady Laura. I have not said _you_ could not go." + +"Well, what do you mean, dear Motherkin? Is Grim to go?" + +"No, Grim cannot go either," said the Motherkin, with a peculiar little +smile upon her face; and Grim twisted the scarlet tassel of his cap +mysteriously. Laura looked at one, then at the other: what did it mean? + +"Are you sure you wish to befriend those children, Laura?" asked the old +lady. + +Still more surprised, and not a little indignant, Laura answered, +quickly, "Indeed I do; I long to aid them." + +"And you are willing to make some sacrifice, some unusual effort, to do +this?" + +"Yes," again answered Laura, very quickly. + +"Then, my child, you must go alone to their relief." + +Laura's eyes opened very wide at this. + +"How can I? I do not know the way." + +"We will guide you, if you have resolution enough to undertake it." + +Perplexed, Laura knew not what to say. How could she go alone? All sorts +of dangers rose before her--great gloomy forests to traverse, wild +beasts to meet, perhaps. She stood irresolute, her hand on the +Motherkin's shoulder. + +The old lady took her hand in hers as she said, "I do not compel it, +Laura." + +"But the poor little children--how can I be of service to them? I do not +know how." + +"I will instruct you; I will aid you. All I ask is for you to go alone: +will you, or will you not?" + +A vision of the little lonely hut and the suffering child and the +ministering sister rose before Laura. + +"I will go," she said, no longer irresolute. + +"The blessing of the poor be upon you!" said Grim, and the Motherkin +kissed her brow. + +"Now, my child, have a good breakfast, and then I will tell you what you +are to do." + +Laura obeyed very willingly, no longer disdaining good substantial food +or the simple manner of its preparation. After breakfast the Motherkin +opened her closets and chose a few garments for the poor children. +These, with a small flask of wine and some oat-cakes, were packed in a +basket which had leather straps attached to go over Laura's shoulder. +Then she was arrayed in a flannel costume that her kind mother had sent +with all her fineries. It was blue, with delicate traceries of silver, +silver buttons, and a silver belt, from which depended a pocket, a +fruit-knife, and a little drinking-cup. In the pocket the Motherkin +placed a few coins, and then assured Laura that there was but one thing +needed. + +"And what is that, dear Motherkin?" asked Laura. + +"I will show you," was the reply. + +"Grim! Grim!" called the Motherkin to the dwarf, who was sunning himself +out-of-doors. + +"Yes, madam," said Grim, hurriedly stirring himself. + +"Do you think you can cut me a good stout staff for Lady Laura, without +any injury to your lame ankle?" + +"Of course, madam, of course. What wood shall it be?" + +"Of wood that shall serve her well--you know their qualities even better +than I; and whether it be ash or birch, you can get the elves to charm +it, that it may have the power to guide her aright." + +Grim hobbled off in haste, and was soon seen emerging from the forest +with the charmed staff in his hand. It was a light, pretty stick, and +the Motherkin bade Laura be very careful not to lose it, as it could not +be replaced by any ordinary wood. + +"And now, my child, you are ready. I will conduct you to the path on +which you set forth. You are to follow it all day, wherever it may lead; +at night you are to sleep beneath the canopy of heaven; but have no +fears: we guard you. In the morning place your staff in your hand, +penetrate the forest by which you will be surrounded, and the staff +will guide you to the bed of a mountain stream; follow it patiently +until the rocks become precipitous, then climb the bank towards which +your staff will incline; this will bring you to the summit of the hills, +in one of the valleys of which dwell the children you seek. Constantly +allow yourself to be guided by your staff; it will very gently but very +surely determine your path. Let no song of birds or murmur of bees, no +fragrance of flowers nor music of brooks, detain you; do not linger. +Hasten on, and you shall be guided going and coming." + +"And the children--what am I to do for them?" asked Laura. + +"Give them the clothes, food, and wine, and such assistance as your +heart may suggest." + +"But am I to leave them alone to suffer again when that which I carry to +them is gone?" + +"No; you are to do all in your power for the present, and leave the +future to me." + +"Ah, how I wish I could take them to my home in the castle, and share +all my comforts and pleasures with them! I would teach them, and they +should teach me, and we should be so happy together. Ah, please, dear +Motherkin, let me; urge my mamma, beg her to let me take the little +orphans home." + +"Patience, dear child," said the Motherkin, pleased at Laura's kind +wish. + +"Yes, patience," reiterated Grim, twirling his tassel, and looking the +picture of delight. + +"She does you credit, dear lady," said Grim, as Laura, after embracing +the Motherkin, and pressing both Grim's hands in her own, started out +with her staff in hand. + +"Yes," said the old lady, "I am well pleased." + +[Illustration: "SHE TURNED FROM TIME TO TIME AND THREW KISSES TO THEM."] + +They watched the child's retreating form, as she turned from time to +time and threw kisses to them, till at last the glittering figure of +silver and blue was merged in the green of the forest foliage. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +Laura's step was light and brisk, for she carried a light heart, she was +animated by a new purpose; the pleasure of doing good, or of only having +the wish to do good, was a new happiness to her, and as she walked she +trolled out a merry little song she had heard Nannette sing in the +nursery. When she grew weary, she sat down and made a wreath for her +hat; when she was thirsty, she drank from the little cup at her girdle, +for there was always a stream at hand, first on one side of the road, +then on the other, and the babbling of the brook was like a pleasant +voice telling her sweet stories. It seemed to whisper to her how glad +her mother would be to hear that she was getting to be a better child. +Then again it sang to her of the woods and the mosses, the wild-flowers +and the birds, and of its own busy life--how much it had to do to keep +all these pretty things refreshed and alive, and how it suffered when +the drought came, and the sun was scorching, and the little leaflets +withered on its brink; and as its voice became sad, and tears welled in +the child's eyes, it would suddenly seem to burst into a foam of +laughter and toss itself in tiny cascades over the pebbles. Then Laura +would laugh too, and forget all sadness. Then she would take off her +shoes and stockings and wade, and watch the flies dart hither and +thither as she dashed the drops apart. So the day went on. Her path grew +wilder, the woods more difficult to go through. Great masses of tangled +vines interlaced and hung low, reaching out their tendrils as if to +hinder her. Clouds gathered, and the skies were dark. A storm seemed +coming. The birds ceased twittering. Low mutterings of thunder, far +away, broke the stillness. + +Laura's feet were aching, and her heart oppressed. Doubts troubled her. +Why had they let her come alone on this long journey? It was cruel. She +forgot the poor children, and, throwing herself down, she thought she +would go no farther. Her staff was still in her hand, and as she fell it +seemed to draw her gently up again, just as a magnet picks up a needle; +it led her to a little cave or grotto, merely a nook under great rocks, +but in it was a heap of leaves which would serve her as a place of +repose, and she would be sheltered from the approaching storm, which, +now that the wind had arisen, was swaying the trees violently. Crouching +in a corner, she listened to the crashing of boughs, the peals of +thunder, and the dash of the rain. But she was safe and unharmed. +Gradually the wind decreased, the vivid gleam of lightning stopped +flashing in her frightened eyes, the thunder rolled farther and farther +away; the birds began chirping softly; there was but a gentle plash of +drops from the dripping leaves; long rays of sunshine stole in between +the branches. The storm was over. + +Laura took courage, ate her dinner, and started forth again. + +She was not so merry as in the early morning; Nannette's song was +forgotten; but in her graver face was an expression of determination. +The poor children came again to her recollection, and she renewed her +zeal. + +On and on she went, sometimes nearly falling, but her staff maintained +her, and prevented that. She climbed, she waded, she slipped, she +scrambled. Sometimes on dizzy heights she looked down into chasms; then +she would cross peaceful and lovely valleys; then the road would wind up +to some high summit again, giving her pictures of mountain-peaks and +clouds and all their many charms; and while on the crest of a high hill, +with all the heavens in a glow, she saw the sun sink beneath the +horizon, and knew that darkness would soon surround her. Hurriedly +descending, her staff led her to a group of oak-trees, whose wide and +shadowy boughs seemed to offer her the protection of which she was in +need. Farther and farther sank the sun, leaving clouds of purple and +gold to fade into the soft shades of twilight. The hush of evening fell +upon nature; stars peeped out. Laura watched the waning light until, too +tired to keep her eyes open, she laid her head upon her little knapsack, +and was soon in a deep slumber. Whether or not wild beasts came prowling +about, or owls hooted, or the night winds sighed in the tree-tops, Laura +knew not; she slept as soundly and as safely as if in her own carefully +watched nest in the castle. When she awoke, the sun was rising, birds +were singing, and every blade of grass twinkled with dew-drops. After +her morning prayer of thanks for the night's rest, a dip into the brook +close by, and a little shake and jump by way of dressing, she sat down +to her breakfast of oat-cake. + +[Illustration: "SHE SAW A QUEER LITTLE FIGURE MAKING GRIMACES AT HER."] + +As she munched it in leisurely fashion, wishing for some honey, she +thought she saw a queer little figure making grimaces at her. It was an +odd little creature, with a rabbit-skin so thrown over him that she +fancied it might, after all, be only a bunny out in search of breakfast. + +"Good-morning, my dear, good-morning! So you wish you had some honey, do +you?" said the queer little creature. + +Laura laughed out in surprise. "How do you know?" she asked. + +"How do I know anything, Miss Rudeness? By my wits, to be sure." + +"Oh, I beg your pardon," said Laura, conscious at once of having +offended; "but I did not know I had spoken aloud." + +"Nor did I; we people of the woods do not wait to be spoken to--we are +wiser than you. But do you really want some honey? If so, come with me +and I will show you where you can find it." + +"But who are you? I never saw you before," said Laura, forgetting that +the little creature had already shown himself to be easily angered. + +"Who am I? What difference is that to you?" said the queer little +object. "Honey is honey; if you want some, come with me; if you don't, +stay where you are." + +"Oh, really," said Laura; "you are very kind. I do like honey, and it +would be very nice with my dry oat-cake;" and, forgetting her staff, she +followed the elf into the woods. He led her to a hollow tree, and, +flinging his rabbit-skin away, clambered into the cavity, and came out +with a great mass of glistening honey dripping from its white comb. + +"Here; now let me see you eat it," said the elf, putting on his +rabbit-skin again, and laying the honey-comb on a broad leaf at her +feet. Laura sat down and dipped her oat-cake into the honey. + +"It is delicious," said Laura. "Won't you have some?" + +"I? No, indeed," said the elf, standing off and gazing at her curiously +from beneath his bushy little eyebrows. + +"Don't you care for it?" + +"No; I'd rather sharpen my teeth on an acorn." + +"But that is so bitter." + +"It suits my digestion. I am a planter of bitter herbs." + +"Are you? Oh, then you must know my good friend Grim?" + +"To be sure I do! He came to see me a few days ago." + +Laura thought Grim must be mistaken in his belief that the elves were +fond of teasing children, for surely this one had been kind to her, when +suddenly she remembered that she had not her staff with her. She jumped +up hastily, crying out: + +"Oh, my staff! my staff! I must go back and find it." + +"Ha! ha!" laughed the elf, evidently amused at her alarm. + +"Which way must I go?" asked Laura, anxiously. + +"Any way you please, my dear. Is not the honey so good as it was?" + +"Oh yes, yes, it is just as nice, and I thank you ever so much for it. +Now, please, dear Mr. Elf, let me go for my staff." + +"I am not keeping you, am I?" laughed the elf, beginning a strange sort +of dance, rubbing his hands together, and giving a series of jerks to +the rabbit-skin. + +Laura was ready to cry with vexation and alarm, but something seemed to +tell her that she must control herself and not let this mischievous +creature know how she felt; so, springing to her feet, she said, "I, +too, can dance--see," and she waltzed away as if she were in a +ball-room. + +"Hurrah!" shouted the elf; "that is capital." + +"Shall I teach you how to do it?" asked Laura, stopping to get breath. + +"Yes; let me see the steps; go slowly. Oh, your feet are so big and +clumsy I cannot copy you." + +"But, Mr. Elf, you do it beautifully--really you do. Now show me, +please, where the oak-trees are, that I may find my staff." + +At this anxious request the elf started on a run, whooping and +hallooing. Laura could do nothing else than follow him, but she found it +difficult, he was so small and sprightly. Nimbly he leaped over the +rocks, turning occasionally to make a queer grimace at poor Laura's +efforts to keep pace with him. When it pleased him, he stopped and +waited for her to come up. + +A happy thought came to Laura. "Mr. Elf," said she, "I have a fine knife +here. You could use it for almost anything. See, it is nearly as long as +your arm, and it has a very curiously ornamented case, all of silver." + +"Let me see it closer," said the elf, reaching up for it. + +Laura held it high out of his reach, but his eyes evidently danced with +eagerness to get it. + +"A little closer--a little closer," said the elf. + +"Not till I have my staff: give me that, and you shall have this," said +Laura, shutting the knife and holding it still over his head. + +"You have no fun in you. What do you want of your staff? Stay here in +the woods, and you'll not need one. But you have not told me where you +are going." + +All the time he was speaking, the elf had his eyes on the knife; but +Laura was guarded. + +"I am going on an errand of charity, and I need my staff; please give it +me. Look what a knife this is"--and she sprung the blade open again; +then, assuming to be weary of waiting, she said, "Well, I must go +without my staff, I suppose. I have lost too much time already. +Good-morning, Mr. Elf. Your honey was very nice; I am much obliged. +Good-morning;" and she turned as if to go. + +"Hoity-toity! you _are_ in haste. Well, if you must go, good-bye. Your +staff is on your left-hand side, beneath the very trees before you. But +how will I get the knife now?" + +"Here," said Laura, only too glad to regain her precious staff; and +giving the knife a toss on the grass, she ran for her stick. The elf +shouted and danced again, and, shouldering the knife as if it had been a +great bludgeon, he disappeared in the forest, the rabbit-skin dangling +behind his back. + +Laura was greatly relieved, and started on her tramp with the resolve +that nothing should hinder or detain her again. All day she kept in the +bed of the brook, as the Motherkin had told her to do, and as it grew +afternoon and the rocks became precipitous it seemed to her that she +could not go farther; but thoughts of the children inspired fresh +courage. Her feet were aching, but as she reached the top of the high +bank which bordered the stream, she espied a little thin curl of blue +smoke rising probably from the very cottage of which she was in search. +Pushing on through brambles and bushes, led by the gentle guidance of +her valuable staff, she at last came to the cottage door, and, with her +heart beating rapidly from excitement and fatigue, gently knocked for +admittance. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +No answer coming to her knock, Laura pushed the door open, and saw just +the same poor little room Grim had described. There were fagots burning +on the hearth; but though it was so poor and bare, it had an air of +neatness and order as if unused. Even the forlorn little bed of straw +looked as if no one had slept on it. Laura was so disappointed that she +knew not what to do; but, too tired to make any search, she was about +turning away when a light footfall arrested her, and she saw the figure +of a weeping child coming towards the hut. Evidently this was the elder +of the two children, for she had the same brown hair Grim had spoken of, +but she was so much overcome by sorrow that she did not see Laura until +she came quite to the door, and then she started as if with painful +surprise. + +"Do not be alarmed," said Laura. "I have been walking a long way, and am +very tired: can you let me rest here for the night?" + +"Oh yes," said the girl, with a sweet, sad smile. "I am very lonely now, +but"--and she hesitated, glancing at Laura's embroidered dress--"I fear +I cannot offer you anything so nice as you are used to having. I am very +poor." + +"But see, I have enough for both of us," said Laura, showing her flask +of wine and her oat-cakes; "and I have nice warm clothing, too, which a +kind friend sent to you. But where is little Fritz?" + +A look of such deep pain came in the girl's pale face that Laura was +sorry she had asked. + +"How did you know anything about my little Fritz?" responded the girl, +in a low tone. + +"I will explain very soon," replied Laura; "but first tell me your +name--mine is Laura." + +"And mine is Kathinka, or Kathie." + +"Now we can get along nicely; but shall we not have more fire and some +tea before I tell you my story?" said Laura. + +"I have no tea, and since little Fritz has been gone I have not cared to +eat," said Kathie, with the dulness of sorrow. + +"Then I will make the fire burn better," said Laura, "and make tea, too, +for I am sure the Motherkin packed some." + +"But your hands are too fine and white--no, I will do it," said Kathie, +more aroused; and she went out for a while, and came back with some +sticks. Presently there was a good blaze, and Laura got out the tea and +sugar and cakes, and set them down on the hearth, for there was no +table. Laura was hungry, and glad to eat, and, after looking somewhat +curiously at her, Kathie, too, joined in the simple repast. + +Then Laura told her all about herself, beginning at her mother's leaving +her with the Motherkin, all about her new and strange experiences, about +Grim, and lastly about her adventures in the woods coming to Kathie's +relief. Kathie became so interested that she forgot for a moment her +sorrow; but when Laura related Grim's account of little Fritz, and +Kathie's own kindness to her young brother, about Grim's whisper to the +woodsman, and his regret at leaving the children alone, and Laura's +resolve to come to them, she could keep quiet no longer, but fell into +such sobbing as Laura had never heard nor seen before. Though she had +not seen the like, she knew by intuition that tenderness and patience +would subdue it; so she drew Kathie's head on her own shoulder, and +softly smoothed the child's brown hair; then she bathed the poor tired +eyes with her handkerchief, and forced a little wine upon the sorrowful +girl, and at last Kathie fell asleep. + +Outside the wind was rising, the moonlight glittering; within, by the +few smouldering brands, sat the two children. Laura held Kathie until +her own head began to droop, and then, in each other's arms still +resting, they slept the sound sleep of childhood. + +When the bright beams of morning penetrated the little hut, Kathie +awakened first, and rekindled the little fire. + +Laura still slept; unaccustomed to so much fatigue, she needed the long +rest, and as Kathie looked at the pretty silver and blue of her dress, +and at the golden hair and healthful flush of her young companion's fair +face, she seemed to her an angel of mercy sent to comfort her in her +loneliness. For little Fritz was gone to the better land; hunger and +want had been more than his poor little crippled body could bear, and +Kathie's kindness could not keep life any longer in so feeble a frame. +The woodsman had made a little grave in the forest for him, and there +poor Kathie had gone every day, and was but returning from it the +evening previous when she found Laura waiting for her. + +[Illustration: "WITH LAURA'S HAND CLASPED OVER HERS, SHE FELT NO LONGER +ALONE."] + +As soon as Laura had wakened, and the two children had eaten, Kathie led +Laura to the place where her brother had been laid. Birds were singing +gayly in the trees over his head, and Kathie had made wreaths of +wild-flowers and garlands of grasses and placed them over the spot so +dear to her. Together they stood silently listening to the birds' clear +notes, and the morning was so bright and beautiful that Kathie could not +grieve as she had done the night before. With Laura's hand clasped over +hers, she felt that she was no longer alone; and when Laura said, "Now +we will both go back to the dear Motherkin," she did not refuse, but +turned away to make her little preparations. This was soon done, and +guided by Laura's staff, they started out for their long tramp through +the woods. + +"Now, Kathie," said Laura, after they had walked far enough to need a +little rest, "let us sit on this nice mossy rock, and you tell me, +please, how you came to be living all alone here in the woods." + +Kathie sat down, and, pushing back her hair, said to Laura, "It is +all so sad and sorrowful that I wonder you care to hear about it." + +"But I do--really I do; only if it makes you unhappy to tell me, perhaps +you had better not." + +"It is not much to tell: we have not been long alone. I do not remember +my mother; my father was a wood-cutter, and we were very happy till the +war came, and he had to be a soldier, and leave little Fritz and me all +alone." + +"Your father a soldier! so is mine. How nice!" said Laura. + +"Ah, but your father is an officer, of course, and can do almost as he +pleases, while my poor father had hardly time to bid us good-bye when he +went away; and I do not know whether he is alive or has been killed in +some dreadful battle." + +"Then we'll think he is alive and well, and soon coming home," said +Laura, springing up and dragging Kathie with her for a race. "Come, we +will not talk any more, for your eyes are full of tears, and this is +too lovely a day for us to be unhappy, my poor, poor Kathie. Come! I am +sorry I asked you anything." + +The day was indeed lovely, and the soft, sweet air was full of delicious +odors from the many buds and blossoms. + +Soon the children forgot their sad talk, and were chasing butterflies, +when again Laura, in her glee, threw down her staff, and could not +recollect the spot where it had fallen. + +"Oh, Kathie, my staff! my staff is lost again! where did I put it?" she +exclaimed, when a little mocking voice was heard repeating her words, +and skipping over the rocks was seen the well-remembered rabbit-skin of +the Herb Elf. + +Laura was very much provoked at her own carelessness, and annoyed at +again seeing her teasing acquaintance of the woods reappear; but she had +gained a little wisdom from her former encounter, and took care not to +show her vexation. + +But Kathie was very much alarmed, and clung close to Laura. The Herb +Elf, seeing this, brandished his bludgeon, and executed a fantastic +series of capers. + +"Afraid, are you?--ho! ho! he! he! A great big girl afraid of me!" he +sung. + +"I am not afraid, Mr. Elf," said Laura. "You and I have met before, and +what nice honey you gave me! I am sure Kathie would like some, and are +you too busy to help me find my staff?" + +"Lost it again, have you? Oh, you're a nice one! I am busy pruning +witch-hazels, and your knife has been very useful." + +"So much the more reason why you should find my staff again for me. +Please, Mr. Elf, do be as kind as you were before." + +"Let me see you dance again." + +Laura took Kathie's hand and whirled her away in a waltz till they were +both breathless, while Kathie whispered, "What shall we do to get away +from this strange little creature?" + +"He will find my staff if we are good-natured," replied Laura, in a +whisper, "and we never could get back to the Motherkin without it." + +[Illustration: "THE HERB ELF CAME UP BEHIND KATHIE AND GAVE A TWITCH TO +ONE OF HER BROWN BRAIDS."] + +Suddenly the Herb Elf came up behind Kathie, and, jumping up vigorously, +gave a twitch to one of her brown braids. + +"They don't come off, then?" he said, as Kathie winced. + +"No, they are not meant to," said Laura, in some haste, fearing he might +be disposed to cut one. + +"I was in China once, and saw all the men with pigtails--how do you +think I would look with one?" + +"Queer," answered Laura, still fearing he might covet Kathie's beautiful +hair. + +"Not at all queer," said the elf, angrily, stamping his foot and +hitching his rabbit-skin from shoulder to shoulder. + +A bright thought just then came to Kathie, but fearing to speak to the +Herb Elf, she whispered it to Laura. + +"Oh, Mr. Elf," said Laura, "Kathie thinks you would be grand with a +great long Chinese queue, and she says she is sure she could make one +for you." + +At this the elf looked greatly pleased, and cut a very curious caper. + +"But," continued Laura, "she needs some flax to make it of, for her +dark brown hair would not be at all becoming to you." + +The elf frowned at this, and asked, "Why not?" + +"Oh, it would be really ridiculous; instead of looking like a Chinese +mandarin, a splendid, elegant Chinese, you would be exactly like an ugly +old Indian who had scalped somebody--indeed, it would not be nice," said +Laura, very earnestly, so afraid was she that the elf would insist upon +having one of Kathie's beautiful braids. "But if you would get us some +lovely yellow flax, Kathie would plait it, and we would fasten it on for +you, and then you would find my staff for me, and we would be your +friends forever." + +"Ho! ho! he! he!" laughed the elf. "Well, I'll get the flax;" and away +he went, leaving the two girls again alone. + +Laura squeezed Kathie, and told her she was a jewel for thinking of the +flax, for she certainly would have had to cut off her hair had she not +been so shrewd. + +By this time they were hungry; so, opening their basket, they sat down +to their dinner. Birds hopped tamely near them for the crumbs, and +squirrels leaped, chattering, from bough to bough. They finished their +lunch, but still the elf did not return; they did not dare to go from +the spot where he had left them, and their little hearts were full of +anxiety, for if he should not return, how could they ever find their way +through the woods without the precious staff? Laura blamed herself for +her giddiness, and wondered how she could for a moment have been so +forgetful. Kathie tried to comfort her, and suggested that if they found +it again it would be well to tie or fasten it in some way to her +girdle. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +Just as the girls were thinking what they should do for the night in +case they were obliged to remain in this place, they heard a little +shout, and their eyes were gladdened by the welcome sight of the +rabbit-skin, and trailing behind the elf was a large bunch of flax. + +He came slowly towards them, and flung the flax at their feet, saying, +"I have had hard work to get this, I can tell you; this is something we +have nothing to do with, and I have robbed a garden for it." + +"Oh, how could you be so wicked?" exclaimed Laura. + +The elf made one of his strange grimaces, and stood on his head a +moment. + +"So you call that wicked, do you?" + +"Yes; robbing is very wicked." + +"If I planted ever so much catnip in its place, what do you call that?" + +"Oh, that was all fair, I suppose." + +"Well, don't suppose anything more about it, but just go to work, if you +want your stick." + +At this Kathie began to plait most diligently, and Laura, finding a bit +of blue ribbon somewhere about her dress, tied the end of the long braid +with it. The elf watched them closely--his little black beady eyes +following every movement of Kathie's dexterous fingers, while Laura held +the flax. When it was finished, Laura proposed fastening it in the elf's +cap as the easiest way for him to wear it, and then when he chose he +could lay it aside. This suited exactly, and the little furry rabbit's +head was soon adorned with this peculiar ornament. When the elf put it +on he gave a shout of glee, but afterwards became very grave--whether +the weight oppressed him, or whether he remembered that Chinese +sedateness and dignity would be appropriate, cannot be determined; but +Laura and Kathie both assured him he looked very grand. + +"And now," said Laura, "please be so good, Mr. Elf, as to give me my +staff, for we have a long way to go, and have lost much time." + +The elf at this request began his queer capers again, but finding the +long queue very much in his way, stopped short, and asked Laura why she +could not stay awhile in the woods with him, and said that he would get +her more honey, and find her the prettiest red cup-moss and maidenhair +ferns she had ever seen. Laura declined very resolutely, saying that the +Motherkin and Grim had charged her not to delay. + +Then the elf made hideous faces, and blew a shrill whistle through his +fingers, whereat a swarm of mosquitoes buzzed around the children most +uncomfortably. + +"Really, Mr. Elf," said Laura, brandishing her handkerchief wildly about +to keep off the stinging insects, "I thought you were more of a +gentleman than this. A Chinese mandarin would not vex us in this way. +I have a pretty turquoise ring on my hand, which, if my staff were here, +I might give you-- But, oh! oh! how these things do bite! Come, Kathie, +let us run," she added; and, seizing Kathie's hand, she started off. + +"Hey! not so fast. Here is your staff. The ring! the ring! where is it?" +called the elf. + +"I cannot stay in that swarm of mosquitoes," replied Laura, still +running; but the elf was quicker than she, and, leaping before her, +threw her staff across her path. "Here is the ring," replied Laura; "and +next time you meet any children, I hope you will be kinder to them than +you have been to us." + +"Oh, you are too stupid to have any fun. Just a little joke like that +was nothing at all." + +[Illustration: "THEY BATHED THEIR SWOLLEN AND DISFIGURED FACES."] + +Laura made no answer, but, seizing her staff, she and Kathie hurried +into the woods in search of a brook where they could bathe their swollen +and disfigured faces. When they began their walk again, nothing was seen +of the elf. + +"I do hope we shall now have no more to hinder us, Kathie. See, I have +tied my stick to my wrist." + +"And we had better keep very quiet the rest of the way; for if we talk, +the elves may hear us, and contrive something new to stop us." + +"Quite right, Kathie. We'll play we are hunters in search of game, and +not speak a word." + +So on they went till again the twilight made it necessary for them to +seek a place of repose for the night. An overhanging rock surrounded by +low bushes seemed an inviting spot, especially as the staff did not +withhold them from it. Kathie, more learned in woodland ways than Laura, +broke down branches of hemlock, and made a fragrant and spicy bed; and +then, too tired to do more than say their prayers, they both were asleep +in a few moments. + +It seemed to Laura that she had not been long asleep when something +wakened her. What it was she knew not. There was a soft stir in the +tree-tops, as if a light breeze were blowing--an occasional chirp from +some bird which had been disturbed, perhaps by a dream that its eggs +were broken; but otherwise all was still. Kathie was sleeping soundly, +and Laura closed her own eyes again, but again was aroused, and this +time by a cold something poking in her hand. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +The cold little nose of an animal it seemed; for it was followed by the +lapping of a warm little tongue, and the cuddling of a muffy, furry +little body against Laura. Still Kathie slept soundly, and Laura was too +frightened to waken her. Every moment she expected to hear a growl, and +have an angry bite from a set of savage teeth; but no bite or growl +coming, and the cuddling of the little creature seeming to be kindly, +she became less fearful, and her heart stopped its hurried beating. + +"Kathie!" she whispered--"Kathie!" But Kathie slept, and would not +waken. + +[Illustration: "KATHIE GAZED AT LAURA, SLEEPING WITH ONE HAND ON THE +NECK OF A YOUNG BEAR CUB."] + +An owl hooted dismally, and Laura shivered, which only made the little +furry creature crowd nearer, as if for protection. She put out her +hand and felt of the soft warm fur; again the warm tongue touched her +hand, and reminded her of her spaniel Fido. She patted the head, +wondering if it were a dog. Fido she knew it could not be, for his head +was smaller, and he was every way more slender than this strange +creature. As her fears abated, and she became more reconciled to the +presence of this new-comer, she became drowsy again, and before long +fell as soundly asleep as was Kathie; and when morning came, with its +bird-calls and tender flush of dawn, Kathie was the first to waken; and +she gazed with astonishment, not unmixed with fear, at Laura, sleeping +with one hand resting on the neck of a young bear cub. + +Kathie had witnessed such strange and novel things in Laura's company +that she began to think Laura too was a fairy, and had something in +common with all the inhabitants of the woods; but so lovely was she in +Kathie's eyes, and so welcome had been her kindness and gentle sympathy, +that Kathie was disposed to think all that was good of Laura, and that +if she were a fairy, she was a very charming one. When Laura aroused, +however, her start of surprise and look of wonder at the little animal +beside her, and then her dimly remembered experience of the night coming +to her recollection taking off the edge of her fear, showed Kathie that +she was quite as much a human child as herself. + +The little bear had snuggled himself so close beside Laura that she +could not move without disturbing him. As yet he showed no signs of +waking; his eyes were tightly shut, and he was almost a ball in shape. + +"It's a real baby bear, Kathie. Where do you suppose he came from?" + +"I cannot imagine," answered Kathie. "But," she added, "I think we had +better hurry away, for fear its mother may come in search of it." + +"Oh, Kathie, no; he is too cunning and pretty. I cannot give him up. See +how he nestles up to me, and how affectionate he is." + +"But the mother, Laura, would be very cruel to us. I have heard +terrible tales of children hugged to death by bears." + +"I don't believe he has a mother," said Laura, eagerly. "I think his +mother has probably been killed, and that he has come to us to be taken +care of. You need not look so doubtful, Kathie. Perhaps this was his +home, this very nook of ours where we have been sleeping, and he has +come seeking his mother, poor little cub, and not finding her, has lain +down here for warmth and comfort. I mean to keep him and take him home +with me. Now, Kathie, be good and help me, and you shall see what a dear +pet he will make. I think he is just as cunning and pretty as he can be, +and we will train him to do all sorts of funny things." + +Still Kathie looked anxious; but the cub wakened and whined, and ate +some oat-cake from Laura's hand, and when they rose to begin their walk +he trotted after them, as if afraid they were about leaving him. But +Laura was too delighted with the idea of a new pet to think of leaving +him, and Kathie and she took turns in carrying the little creature when +it appeared to be tired; for, now they were nearing home, Laura's steps +were quicker, and the way seemed far less difficult. + +"How glad I shall be to see the dear Motherkin again!" said Laura, as +they rested for a while in the cool shadow of a great tree at whose +roots babbled a clear brook. + +Kathie looked sad and weary and homesick. + +"And how glad she will be to see you, Kathie dear!" + +"Do you think so, Laura? I am so unused to strange faces, and so afraid, +that I almost wish you had left me in the woods." + +"Ah, don't speak that way, Kathie; you might have starved there all +alone." + +"I am not ungrateful, dear Laura." + +"No, I know you are not, Kathie; you only miss little Fritz; but I am +going to find your father for you, and then, if you want to, you shall +go back to your own home, and my mamma and I will give you a great many +nice things, and we will make it pleasant and comfortable for you." + +Kathie's face brightened at these kind words. + +"And what can I do for you?" she asked. + +"Oh, you shall teach me to spin and knit and plait, and do all sorts of +things." + +And then they went on again, still followed by the little cub, around +whose neck Laura had hung a wreath of wild flowers, from which he +munched occasionally, and which she had as frequently to renew. + +They had no more strange adventures, for the staff guided them safely on +their way, and as the sun lowered, and the afternoon became cool, and +the birds were less noisy, Laura suddenly espied the gray figure and +scarlet cap of Grim, waiting on the edge of the wood to welcome the +little wayfarers. When he saw them, he tossed his cap high in the air as +a signal to the Motherkin, whose pleasant face quickly appeared, and in +a few moments Laura was in her embrace. Then followed the welcome to +Kathie, and even the cub came in for his share of attention; but as +they neared the cottage, to Laura's greater astonishment, her own dear +mamma came out and took her in her arms. + +"My child! my own dear Laura!" exclaimed her mother, tenderly, "how +altered you are! how you have grown! and what a fine healthy brown is +upon your cheeks! and, best of all, my dear friend tells me of the +loving pilgrimage you have just finished, and what a good girl my Laura +has become." And the mother kissed and clasped Laura, while tears of joy +fell from her eyes. + +Never had there been so charming a feast seen as the Motherkin had +prepared for the little pilgrims. All about the cottage in the trees +were hung colored lanterns, which, as the evening grew darker, gave out +brilliant sparkles of light; on the little lawn was a table laden with +fruits and creams and cakes, and the white cloth was festooned with pink +roses; rustic seats, dressed with flowers and canopied with boughs, were +arranged on a carpet of richly woven colors; vases and jars of +sweet-scented flowers adorned the tables, where glittered silver +pitchers and crystal cups. + +Lovely white dresses of thinnest muslin and coronets of white blossoms +had been prepared for the children, who, having bathed and refreshed +themselves, were led by Grim to their seats beside Lady Idleways and the +Motherkin, who listened with attention to Laura's account of her +journey. + +Grim listened, too, chuckling with pleasure as he moved about, waiting +upon his mistress and her guests. + +"Now, my dear Lady Idleways," said the Motherkin, "I can let Laura +return to you with great satisfaction, for I am quite sure she has been +much benefited by her visit to us. She came to me a spoiled, too much +indulged child; she goes back to you a sensible, intelligent being, with +a desire to be useful, and with sympathy for her fellow-creatures." + +"But, my dear Motherkin," said Laura, with tears, "am I to go home and +never, never see you again, or Grim, or Kathie, or my dear little bear, +or have any more happy days in the woods?" + +"Why, no, my dear Laura," said her mother, quickly. "You shall take +Kathie home with you, and your dear little bear, and all that you love; +and you shall see the Motherkin very often--as often as she will let you +come to the Forest of Pines; and we will spend all our days in the woods +if you wish, for I shall want you to go about with me among the +cottages, and see what we can do for the poor people in them; besides, +you forget that we are to find Kathie's father for her, and make her +home a happy one again." + +"And after all, dear Laura, you need never suffer for want of my +company," said the Motherkin; "for though I asked your mother not to +reveal my name before you came to me, I have no wish to make it any +longer a secret. I am the fairy Industry. Be industrious, dear child, +and I am always at your service." + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + +Nothing more beautiful could well have been imagined than the day Lady +Idleways, Laura, and Kathie started for Idleways Castle. Towards morning +there had been a shower, which freshened every leaf, and gave a +glittering touch to every flower. It was a joyous, glad day, when even +the birds seemed to be happier; and when Laura bade farewell to her kind +friends, sorry as she was to leave them, she could not be unhappy. + +The Motherkin and Grim escorted them through their woods and beyond the +door in the rock where Laura had first seen the fairy. At this point +they exchanged good wishes and made their final adieux, the Motherkin +never venturing out of the confines of the Forest of Pines--at least to +mortal vision she never went farther. + +[Illustration: "LAURA THOUGHT SHE SAW A FAMILIAR OBJECT BEHIND A BUSH OF +SWEETBRIER."] + +As they reached the limit of the woods, where Lady Idleways's carriage +was waiting, Laura thought she saw a familiar object partly hiding +behind a bush of sweetbrier. Kathie's eyes also turned in the same +direction, and she whispered to Laura, "Is that the Herb Elf, or is it +only a rabbit?" + +"It is the elf. Look at his queue. I wonder what he wants? He seems to +be afraid of being noticed. Look! he is waving his cap to us, and then +he retreats behind the bush again." + +"What is it detains you, children?" asked Lady Idleways; for both Kathie +and Laura lingered a little. + +"The Herb Elf, mamma," whispered Laura. + +"I see nothing but a rabbit, my dear." + +"But it _is_ the elf, mamma. May I go speak to him? He may want to say +good-bye." + +"Are you not afraid of his mischievous tricks?" + +"He would not dare do any harm to me with you so near, mamma." + +"Go, then; but do not let him urge you away out of my sight." Laura ran +to the bush of sweetbrier behind which the elf was hiding, at which he +capered and frisked about as if highly pleased. + +"So you are going home, are you?" he asked. + +"Yes, I am going, and Kathie is going with me. How could you let those +mosquitoes torment us so? The bites hurt yet. Look!" and she held out a +swollen finger. + +At this the elf fumbled in his pockets, and drew out a peculiar-looking +ring. It seemed to be cut out of coral. + +"There," said he, "this will make you believe me somewhat your friend. +Let me put it on that finger. See, the swelling goes down. While you +wear this, no insect can ever trouble you. Had you been ugly with me, I +should not have given you this. But you can have your choice between it +and your own blue ring. Which do you prefer?" + +"Oh, yours, Mr. Elf, of course. Why, it's a real treasure." + +"Of course it is; it came from China. Will you ever come to these woods +again?" + +"I hope so. Good-bye, Mr. Elf, good-bye." + +"Good-bye. You are a real little lady. Good-bye." And with any number of +twists and jerks and queer contortions, the rabbit-skin and its owner +disappeared in the forest. + +Lady Idleways and Kathie looked at the elf's gift, and pronounced it a +very useful and pretty trinket. Then they all got in the carriage, and +turned their thoughts towards home. + +It was late when they reached the castle; for the coachman lost his way, +and they were detained. Lights were gleaming from all the windows, and +as they neared the broad steps a delightful strain of music welcomed +their approach. Servants were waiting to greet them, and Laura was quite +overwhelmed with all their kind attentions. She could not but remember +how coldly and indifferently she had been in the habit of receiving +kindness before she left home; for, child that she was, she had learned +to think and reflect. Thrown upon her own efforts to make herself +comfortable and happy, and even to sustain her own life, she had grown +out of the listless, dissatisfied, unhappy child into a rational and +useful being, grateful and disposed to make others happy. + +"Oh, Miss Laura, what a tall, lovely girl you are!" exclaimed Nannette, +looking at her affectionately and turning her around. "Who dresses +you, dear? and who brushes your beautiful hair? I have been lost without +you." + +"I am my own maid, Nannette, and you will have to wait upon mamma in +future, or knit stockings for all the poor people. Do I not look well +dressed? Ah! here is my dear Fido. What a great big creature he has +become! And, oh! my dear Nannette, how are all the birds? and where is +Polly? + +"Welcome! welcome!" screamed Polly, in reply. + +Laura took Kathie about from room to room till the child was almost +bewildered; but so modest and refined was she by nature, that the +grandeur did not dazzle her. She was just the same simple, quiet child +of the woods, with a heart-sick and homesick longing to return to her +own poor home; and it was not many days before Laura and Lady Idleways +saw that the little wood-violet was drooping. + +Kathie had been allowed a room next to Laura's, and each day Lady +Idleways gave them lessons together. They walked, they rode, they +gathered flowers. Kathie was teaching Laura to knit, and Laura was +teaching Kathie many little nice ways about herself; and Laura was all +brightness and energy--a veritable sunbeam, as all in the castle said; +but Kathie grew quieter and sadder, and one day Laura found her unable +to rise from her bed. In alarm she went to her mother. + +"Mamma, Kathie is ill; her head is hot, and she says strange things to +me, and she moans as if in pain." + +Lady Idleways found the child truly ill, and she had to forbid Laura's +even seeing her, for she knew not but that her fever might prove to be +contagious. + +Nannette shook her head wisely, and took her place at the bedside, as if +now she had indeed some thing to occupy her. + +Laura was lost without her companion, but made fresh bouquets and sent +them in every morning to her, and was always ready at the end of the +long hall to wait upon Nannette, that she might not leave her charge a +moment. Lady Idleways sent for a physician, and his face looked grave +when he came from Kathie's bedside. + +"What is it, mamma?" asked Laura, as, with her books and Fido, she sat +in the embrasure of the large hall window, waiting for the doctor's +decision. + +"It is a low fever, my darling, and we must do something to cheer the +child and make her hopeful. I am going now to write to your papa, to see +if he can get permission for Kathie's father to return. Meanwhile we +will get their cottage in order, cleaned, and made comfortable with all +that they need, and then we will take the little wild bird back to its +nest. These woodland creatures cannot live away from their haunts. Do +you understand, my Laura?" + +"Yes, mamma; but I am so sorry." + +"So am I, dear child." + +So it was decided. The letter was written, and a favorable answer came. +Day after day went by, and yet Kathie could only take a little soup and +a little wine, and Laura was allowed to go beneath her window and talk +to her a while. And Lady Idleways was very busy, driving out to the +forest every day with a donkey-cart laden with many useful goods, going +and returning with work-people, and coming home to bid Laura hope that +Kathie would soon be very well and happy again. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + +[Illustration: "SHE WAS NOW ALLOWED TO SIT BESIDE KATHIE AND READ A +LITTLE TO HER."] + +At last Kathie was pronounced able to leave her room. The summer had +ripened into autumn, and the leaves, which had turned crisp and brown, +had fallen, making the branches bare. The air was sharp and frosty. +Great logs burned in the fireplaces, delighting Laura with their +cheerful blaze, and keeping her busy in the twilight finding pictures in +the flames. She was now allowed to sit beside Kathie and read a little +to her, a few verses, a hymn, or a Bible story. And to Laura was given +the pleasant task of telling Kathie she was soon to see her father. It +happened this way. Kathie had been carried out for fresh air in +Nannette's arms, and was resting on cushions; it was the middle of the +day, and the sunlight streamed through the broad windows. Laura was +roasting chestnuts, and as she drew them from the ashes she said, + +"Kathie, if I were a fairy and you had a wish, what should I turn this +nut into for you?--a pot of gold?" + +"No, dear Laura. I do not want a pot of gold." + +"But I know what you do want, and what you shall have." + +"Ah, Laura, you are too good to me, and I am ashamed to say I want +anything." + +"But it is not _anything_, it is _somebody_, you want; and there is +mamma at the window, all wrapped up in a shawl, beckoning me out to see +a soldier who has just gotten down from a horse, and he looks enough +like you, Kathie, to be your father." With which rather sudden +announcement Laura ran out of the room, and soon came back ushering in a +tall man with bronzed cheeks and heavy mustache and a kind eye like +Kathie's; and Kathie was next in his arms, and her face hidden on his +breast. + +Not many days after, with grateful words and kindest thanks, the soldier +and his little girl went to their home in the woods. The forester had +received his discharge from the army through Laura's papa. + +Laura often went to visit Kathie in her own home, which Lady Idleways +had made bright and sweet; and Kathie could never do enough for Laura to +prove her gratitude. Stockings of softest and whitest wool knit by +Kathie, with delicious cheeses and cakes she had made, were sent to the +castle. The forester carved beautiful toys and footstools and +picture-frames and crosses for the kind friends of his little girl. + +As a parting gift Laura had bestowed upon Kathie the young bear she had +befriended in the woods, and which, chained in the stable-yard, had +grown large and fat and tame. Laura had found it a rather awkward pet, +less tractable to her teachings than she had supposed it would be; but +the forester promised that the animal should have the best of care, and +be taught all that a tame bear ought to know. + +So many people settled in the villages near, and so many houses and +factories were to be found after a while, that the good fairy and Grim +had to take their departure. The elves, too, disappeared, leaving behind +them only their garden beds of bitter herbs. + +Laura, however, lost none of the good lessons the fairy had taught her, +and was never happier than when doing some kind act for those who had +less to make them comfortable and thankful than had the Princess +Idleways. + + +THE END. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Princess Idleways, by Mrs. W. J. 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