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diff --git a/old/66925-0.txt b/old/66925-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 1de4425..0000000 --- a/old/66925-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4386 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum's Children, by S. B. -Dinkelspiel - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum's Children - -Author: S. B. Dinkelspiel - -Illustrator: Francis Marion - -Release Date: December 11, 2021 [eBook #66925] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Charlene Taylor, David E. Brown, and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was - produced from images generously made available by The Internet - Archive/American Libraries.) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LADY RUM-DI-DOODLE-DUM'S -CHILDREN *** - - - - - LADY RUM-DI-DOODLE-DUM’S - CHILDREN - - - - -[Illustration: John and Mary leaned forward and saw in the glass -hundreds of lovely colors. (Page 126.)] - - - - - LADY - RUM-DI-DOODLE-DUM’S - CHILDREN - - BY - S. B. DINKELSPIEL - - _Which is Dedicated to My Mother, Your Mother, - and Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum, Who is the - Mother of all the Bald-Headed, Pug-Nosed Little - Baby Creatures in the World, and to the Child-Person - for whom Lady Rum-Di-Doodle-Dum - winked one evening when I asked her to do so._ - - [Illustration] - - New York - - Desmond FitzGerald, Inc. - - - - - Copyright, 1914, by - DESMOND FITZGERALD, INC. - - - - -PREFACE - -(TO BE READ) - - -The Dictionary says that a Preface is something spoken before. Usually -it gives the author an opportunity to talk about himself. Some authors -talk very much, especially about themselves, in their Preface. Mr. -George Bernard Shaw writes more Preface than Book, and Théophile -Gautier simply uses the Book as an excuse for the Preface. But you do -not need to worry, as you will not read either of them for a very long -time. - -My Preface is going to be different. It is about something that comes -at the end and not the beginning; furthermore, I am not going to talk -about myself. - -Of course you do not know what in the world I am driving at; I will -come at once to the point. I had all but finished the stories of Lady -Rumdidoodledum’s children when I received the following letter. I have -a pretty good idea that “L. H. D.” is no other than the Child-Person -for whom Lady Rumdidoodledum winked. - - “MR. S. B. DINKELSPIEL, - - “DEAR SIR,---- - - “I have the honor to inform you that Mrs. Sherman is the mother of a - lovely new baby daughter, born this evening. She is to be christened - ‘Margaret,’ but will be known to her friends (of whom I trust you - will be among the number) as ‘Midge.’ Liza and Martha Mary are - delighted over the new arrival--the boys have not yet seen the little - lady. - - “Hoping that she will prove as welcome to you as to the rest of her - very devoted family, I am, sir, - - “Your very obedient servant and humble collaborator, - - L. H. D.” - The Planet Venus. - - -A day or so later, a thick envelope came through the mail for me. - -“Is it,” said I to myself, “another of my stories rejected by a -heartless editor?” - -It was not! It was the story of “Midge,” written by “L. H. D.,” and it -came just in time, for I had been having a miserable hour seeking a -last chapter for the book, and here one fell--I might say--out of the -sunny sky. - - S. B. DINKELSPIEL. - - San Francisco, California. - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - - I. IN WHICH WE MEET FLIP, ALTHOUGH HE WAS SUPPOSED - TO BE A SECRET 1 - - II. IN WHICH PETER SPILLS THE DEW OUT OF HIS POCKET AND IT - CAUSES A GREAT DEAL OF BOTHER, BUT MR. SMITH, WHO IS - THE KING OF FAIRIES, PUTS AN END TO THE TROUBLE 10 - - III. IN WHICH WE BEGIN TO REALIZE HOW CONVENIENT IT IS TO - HAVE A PERSON LIKE FLIP ABOUT THE PLACE, ESPECIALLY - WHEN THERE IS NOTHING MUCH TO DO; ALSO WE HEAR OF - MR. MORIARITY AND THE FAIRY WHO DID NOT HAVE A RED - CHIN BEARD AND A BALD HEAD 19 - - IV. IN WHICH MARTHA MARY INVADES THE CASTLE, AND FATHER - PROVES THAT HE CAN DO OTHER THINGS BESIDES WRITING - BUSINESS IN BIG BOOKS. ALSO SOMEONE ARRIVES 28 - - V. IN WHICH FLIP TELLS MY FAVORITE STORY, AND IF YOU DO - NOT LIKE IT VERY MUCH, FLIP KNOWS SOMEONE WHO WILL 40 - - VI. IN WHICH EDWARD LEE AND WALTER GO ON THE WARPATH - BECAUSE THEY DON’T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO, AND ON - ACCOUNT OF THEM JOHN AND MARTHA MARY MISS HEARING - THE MELODRAMA 49 - - VII. IN WHICH LIZA GOES UNDER THE SIDEBOARD; WALTER AND - EDWARD LEE FIX THE CAT, AND FLIP PROVES THAT THE - CITY FOGS ARE NICE 67 - - VIII. IN WHICH MARTHA MARY HAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND LEARNS - THE LOVELIEST OF SECRETS AND FLIP’S ASPIRATIONS - ARE EXPLAINED 76 - - IX. IN WHICH IS TOLD THE STORY OF ALFRED OF THE LOW COUNTRY, - AND JANICE, WHO LOVED THE QUEEN’S PAGE 85 - - X. IN WHICH JANE STAYS LONGER THAN SHE HAD EXPECTED TO AND - WE ENTERTAIN HER. AS USUAL, FLIP TELLS A STORY 99 - - XI. IN WHICH WALTER DOES NOT WANT NINE EIGHTS TO BE - SEVENTY-TWO; AND MARTHA MARY FEELS SO BADLY FOR HIM - THAT SHE GOES TO SEEK ADVENTURE. SHE FINDS IT 110 - - XII. IN WHICH ANOTHER JOHN AND ANOTHER MARY WANDER FURTHER - FROM HOME THAN THEY EVER HAVE BEEN BEFORE, AND FIND - A MARVELOUS BALL OF GLASS, IN WHICH ONE SEES THE - STRANGEST THINGS 120 - - XIII. IN WHICH FLIP USES NEEDLESSLY LONG WORDS, BUT, TO WIN - OUR GOOD-WILL AGAIN, HE TELLS A REAL OLD-FASHIONED - FAIRY TALE 133 - - XIV. IN WHICH WINFRED IS GIVEN THE MOST WONDERFUL WISH IN - THE WORLD, AND I ADVISE YOU ALL TO READ IT AND LEARN - WHAT IT IS, SO THAT IF, SOME DAY WHEN YOU ARE LEAST - EXPECTING IT, A FAIRY COMES AND OFFERS YOU A WISH, - YOU WILL KNOW FOR WHAT TO ASK 155 - - XV. IN WHICH, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME, I DO NOT - TALK AT ALL, BUT AM WELL CONTENT TO SIT QUIETLY BY - AND LISTEN TO THE LOVELY NEWS THAT L. H. D., WHO, YOU - WILL REMEMBER, I TOLD YOU ABOUT IN THE PREFACE, - HAS BROUGHT 167 - - - - -CHAPTER I - -IN WHICH WE MEET FLIP, ALTHOUGH HE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A SECRET - - -Down on the edge of the Poppy Field there is a very large, wide lake; -the largest lake you have ever seen. Of course there are deeper lakes -across the mountains where you have never been, but Poppy Lake is quite -deep enough. When you turn your back and lean down and look between -your legs so that everything is upside-down, it looks still larger; -almost as big as the sky and just as blue. Right on the shore, tied to -a willow tree, is a wonderful green boat with two oars when you wish to -go exploring alone, and four if you intend to take a crew with you. - -John usually went alone, because crews never know their place and -want to be Captain if they are men, or always talk about fairies and -husbands and silly trifles if they are women. There is of course only -one woman and she is Martha Mary; you see, Liza is only three years -old and can’t really be called a woman. The fact is, John prefers -traveling with Liza to any of the others. She respects John very much -and will not mind anyone else--not even Nurse Huggins. John is quite a -famous traveler; there have been times when he would sit at the helm -of his good ship and Liza would sit on the deck on her legs and fold -her arms and watch the Captain with very large, grey eyes. Then John -would cough and bow to her and say in a voice almost as loud as Butcher -Levy’s: - -“Where does your Ladyship desire to sail to-day?” - -Liza would say, “Yes,” which is not an answer at all. - -Then John would pick up the oars and row with all his might, just as -though the ship were not tied to the willow tree. Right into the ocean -they would go. Sometimes they could travel almost as far as England -before Nurse Huggins called them to come to tea. Nurse Huggins always -called just as they were about to get somewhere. - -Martha Mary thought it silly for John to play with Liza so much; you -see, John was at least twelve and Martha Mary was ten, so they were -much more fitted for each other than John and Liza. So Martha Mary -would come down to the Lake and call to John and he would put his hands -to his ears and shout: - -“I can’t hear you. I’m miles and miles away.” - -Then Martha Mary would stamp her foot, and go away to find Edward Lee -Sherman, who was seven years old and her youngest brother, and Walter, -who was eight and almost Edward’s twin. You see, the Sherman family -was quite a large one; first, there was John and then Martha Mary; -then Walter and Edward Lee, and then Liza. But that wasn’t all. Nurse -Huggins was a very important member of the family, and there was Agnes, -the cook, and Dawson, the gardener, and Mother Dear, who looked almost -like a girl herself, sometimes, and Father, who was terribly old and -had brown whiskers and the softest grey eyes, just like Liza’s. And I -almost forgot Hermit. He was the huge St. Bernard and next to Mother -Dear, the most important member of the household. No one knew just how -old Hermit was. But Captain John was quite sure that the very first -thing he heard when he opened his eyes in this world was Hermit’s -welcoming bark. That was twelve years ago, and twelve is old for a dog. - -And--there was one other. He was supposed to be a secret, but I never -could keep a secret and, as long as I have told about Hermit and Hermit -found him, I might as well tell. He was Flip. That wasn’t his real -name, but Liza could not say Philip, so she called him Flip. And after -a while everyone else did, too. This is the way we found him. You see, -Hermit did not come home for dinner one night and everyone was very -much frightened. They went all over the poppy field calling him, but he -didn’t come. It grew so late that the stars came out, so Mother Dear -put Liza and Edward Lee to bed. She was very quiet and not at all smily -when she tucked them in, because she was worried about Hermit. For -hours and hours John and Father and Gardener Dawson hunted with yellow -lanterns; they called and whistled, but Hermit did not come. So they -went to bed, and Father said: - -“Leave the old boy alone. He is sure to come back.” - -Father always did know everything! - -The first thing next morning, all the family hurried out to the garden, -but there was no Hermit. Father went East and John went West and all -the others scattered in different directions, leaving Liza all alone to -take care of Mother Dear. But Mother Dear was not at all good company; -she wouldn’t crawl on the floor and she wouldn’t smile, so Liza slipped -away, very unhappy. She took her Nigger Doll, Samuel, and walked way, -way off, down into the Lily Place where the frogs live. And right -there, perfectly happy and grinning, was Hermit--all muddy and with his -tongue hanging out as though he had been running and was out of breath. -Next to him, sprawled out on the grass, with one foot stuck up in the -air and a cap on his toe, was a man and he was talking to Hermit. Liza -did not pay any attention to him; she just jumped on Hermit’s back and -rubbed her face in his neck. The man was very much surprised. He sat -up, brushed the dirt off of his trousers, and said: - -“Good morning.” - -Liza laughed at him and pulled Hermit’s tail. - -“I said ‘Good morning,’” said the man. “Can’t you talk?” - -That sort of frightened Liza, so she jumped up and ran off to find -John, with Hermit bounding after her. Just then John came through the -trees, followed by Edward Lee and Walter and Martha Mary. They hugged -Hermit to show how glad they were to see him, and then Liza took them -to the new man. - -“Hullo!” he said. “Are you the whole family?” - -“We are the Shermans,” said John. - -“Yes,” said Edward Lee, “and we wish you would go away so that we could -play.” - -“Edward Lee!” Martha Mary whispered. “You mustn’t be impolite.” - -The man laughed. “Please,” said he, “may I play, too?” - -“You are too old,” said Walter. - -“No, I’m not.” - -John did not mean to have any unfairness. “How old are you?” he asked. - -The man held his fingers to his lips. “It’s a secret. Folks say I’m -twenty-three,” he said. “But they really don’t know. The fact is I’m -only twelve.” - -“Swear it and hope to die?” demanded John. - -“I swear.” - -“And hope to die?” - -“Do I have to?” - -“No,” said Martha Mary. “If you want to be twelve, we will let you. -Please, what can you play?” - -“Everything.” - -“That is lovely,” said Martha Mary. “We’ll play ‘Robinhood.’” - -“And I’ll be Robinhood,” said John. - -“And I’ll be Little John,” said Walter. - -“I’m Little John,” said Edward Lee. - -“You’re not. I am.” - -“All right,” said Edward Lee. “Then I don’t want to play.” - -The man frowned. “See here,” he said. “You can’t both be Little John. -Suppose we play something else. Suppose I tell you a story.” - -“Do you know any?” Martha Mary asked. - -“Dozens of them.” - -“How nice! I think I shall like you. What is your name?” - -“Philip.” - -“Flip,” said Liza, and that is how he got his name. - - * * * * * - -Meanwhile Mother Dear had joined Father. They hunted high and low -for Hermit and for the children, too, for by this time Mother was -growing really and truly frightened. All of a sudden they heard Edward -Lee laughing. To the Lily Place they ran, and there--through the -trees--guess what they saw! There was Flip leaning against a fat old -oak tree, with one leg up in the air and his cap on his toe. Liza was -sitting on the knee of the leg that wasn’t up in the air, while Martha -Mary was lying on the ground on her stomach, weaving buttercups. John -and Walter were sitting up in the tree; Edward Lee was on Hermit’s -back, and Flip was telling his story. So Mother Dear sat down very -quietly and pulled Father after her. She leaned against his shoulder -and closed her eyes, while Father smoothed her hair. And they listened -to the story, too, and this was it: - - - - -CHAPTER II - - IN WHICH PETER SPILLS THE DEW OUT OF HIS POCKET AND IT CAUSES A GREAT - DEAL OF BOTHER, BUT MR. SMITH, WHO IS THE KING OF FAIRIES, PUTS AN - END TO THE TROUBLE - - -“Peter sat on a blade of wheat and swung backwards and forwards and -up and down in the wind, till his feet were higher than his head and -all the dewdrops spilled out of his pocket. I don’t suppose you have -ever seen Peter. He is about this big--that is, as big as a red-headed -match--and he has little thin wings made out of the fuzz that grows -on the cowslips. Peter has red hair, too, just like the match, and he -is freckled, but one can never see the freckles because they are so -small. In ways, Peter is a very wonderful boy. You see, he can carry -dewdrops in his pocket (when he doesn’t spill them) and he skips around -the garden just before the stars go to bed putting a dewdrop on every -flower, just as a mother cat would bathe her kitten. Peter likes his -work; he knew that every boy has to do something worth while, so he -chose the work that was the most fun. Of course it is fun to bathe -flowers. They look so bright and sunshiny when they have their drop of -dew, just as your face does when Nurse What-do-you-call-her----” - -“Nurse Huggins, please,” said Martha Mary. - -“Nurse Huggins rubs soap on it and in your eyes. So on this particular -May morning Peter sat on the piece of wavy wheat and waited for the -biggest and loveliest Mother star, Mrs. Rumdidoodledum, to go away, so -that he could go to work. - -“Finally, when Mrs. Rumdidoodledum had gone to bed and the sky grew -pink like the eyes of Fluffytail, the white rabbit, Rosemary, who was -the queen of the flower fairies, came out and clapped her hands to set -all the morning elves to work. First, Mr. James, the butler fairy, -appeared and pulled all of the dark-cloud curtains out of the sky. Then -a hundred and three golden fairies tied daisy ropes to the sun and -pulled him up over the hill. Lastly Nurse Agnes, the fattest fairy you -ever saw, went around and opened all the flowers’ eyes. Then everyone -stood still and waited for Peter to come down and wash them. Of course -the stupid Peter couldn’t, because he had swung too high and spilled -all the dewdrops. At this, Queen Rosemary was terribly angry--which -wasn’t very bad, because the fairies have all been well trained and -never lose their tempers. But she said Peter would have to be punished. -What do you think Queen Rosemary did? She led Peter down to the red -rosebush, tied him to it with a piece of green grass, and left him -there for ever and ever so long. Next morning, when Nurse Agnes had -opened all the flower children’s eyes, they waited for Peter to come -and wash them, but he couldn’t, because he was tied up. The flower -children were glad, because they didn’t very much like to be washed, -either; it was such a nuisance to get the dewdrops in their eyes and -have them burn. You see, flower children are just as silly as other -children when they are silly, and just as pretty and happy when they -are bright. So they went without washing all that day, and when Mr. -James, the butler, pulled the cloud curtains into the sky that night -the children were all tired and in bad humor, just like you when you -are dirty. They didn’t sleep very well and they had queer dreams, and -Midge, the violet baby, woke up and cried three times and kept everyone -else awake. Then, the next morning, when the hundred and three small -wood sprites went to pull up the sun, he came up frowning. He looked at -all the flower children and it spoiled his pleasure to see how dirty -and cross they were. So he simply refused to shine at all, but went -behind a miserable black cloud that Butler James had forgotten. There -he sulked all day. When they had no sun to brighten them, the flower -children all fell sick and faded; even sulphur and molasses would not -help them, for in that way they were different from you. You see, -things were in a very bad way in the flower garden. The flower children -were so sickly that the bees would not come to them for honey, because -it had become too thin. The sun hid away day after day and refused to -shine and there were large black clouds that frightened everyone. The -ground got hard and stiff and squeezed the flowers terribly. - -“Then Rosemary became very much worried, because she had to keep the -flower children well and at the same time punish Peter. So she thought -and thought and could not make up her mind what to do. Then along came -Mr. Smith. You know, of course, that Mr. Smith is the king of the -fairies and he rides on the Southeast Wind. He said to his wife: - -“‘The flower children look very sickly and the sky is dark. What is the -trouble, my dear?’ - -“She told him all the confusion she had had, but he laughed, because he -was a man, and such things never bother men. He jumped on the Southeast -Wind again and rushed up, up, right into the clouds and broke them to -small pieces. Of course, when the clouds were all broken, the rain -fell out of them and all over the flower children. And then--it was -just like eating chocolate cake, it was so nice. The flower children -were washed and became bright; the sun came out because he was glad; -the bees came buzzing around again, and all the world was happy. Then -Queen Rosemary, on her throne in the sweetpeas, was pleased, so she -forgave Peter for spilling the dewdrops. She told him, though, that -whenever he was bad in the future she would tie him up, because she -could count on the Southeast Wind to bring rain and do Peter’s work. - -“And so you see, whenever the sky grows black and the flowers look -sickly and the sun hides, you may know that Peter has been misbehaving -and cannot wash the children. But you must not mind, because the rain -is sure to come to do his work, and there is always sunshine after the -rain.” - -When Flip had finished his story Mother Dear hugged Father and -whispered, “Who in the world is this wonderful boy?” - -She did not say it very loud, but Flip heard her and got up, with his -cap in his hand, and almost spilled Liza. He bowed and said: - -“It isn’t really wonderful. Stories like that always happen.” - -“Ridiculous!” said Father, in a very stern way. “Who are you? Where did -you come from?” - -“I’m Flip, Liza says,” was the answer, “and so I must be.” - -“Please, Mother Dear,” said Martha Mary. “He is nice, and Liza found -him. Do you think he might stay for tea?” - -“And tell more stories before bedtime,” said Walter. - -“And he found Hermit,” said Liza. - -Mother Dear whispered something to Father that no one else heard. Then -Father said: - -“Children, go up to the house and wait for us. We will ask Flip if he -will stay this evening.” - -The children went rather slowly, for they were anxious to hear what -was going to happen. It must have been exciting, for ten minutes later -Mother Dear came to the veranda smiling, and Flip’s eyes were all -shiny, and Father was in the best of humor. - -“Babes,” said Mother Dear, “would you like Flip to stay here?” - -“All evening?” asked Edward Lee. - -“No. Much longer. As long as he wishes to. Perhaps always.” - -You should have heard the children shout. They hugged Mother Dear and -hugged Father till his hair was all mussed and danced about Flip until -he was all red; but Flip was easily embarrassed. Finally Father said: - -“Silence,” in an awesome tone, and added: “Philip is going to stay to -work about the place and do chores and care for the flowers--AND tell -you stories when you are half-way good and he feels like it. So you had -better be good.” - -Away went the children to tell the wonderful news to Nurse Huggins, all -excepting Martha Mary, who was rather curious. - -“Mother Dear,” she said. “Please, who is Flip and how did you get -Father to let him stay?” - -“Flip is a very fine boy,” said Mother, “and he has aspirations.” - -“What are aspirations?” asked Martha Mary. - -“You explain to her, Father,” said Mother Dear. - -“Well, it is this way,” said Father. “Aspirations are like--like--now -let me see--you know---- Oh! You tell her, Mother.” - -“Why, it is simple, Dear,” said Mother. “Aspirations---- Flip! Explain -to Martha Mary what aspirations are.” - -But Flip had followed the other children, to be introduced to Cook and -Nurse Huggins, so Martha Mary did not find out for ages and ages why -Flip had aspirations or what they were. - - - - -CHAPTER III - - IN WHICH WE BEGIN TO REALIZE HOW CONVENIENT IT IS TO HAVE A PERSON - LIKE FLIP ABOUT THE PLACE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE IS NOTHING MUCH TO - DO; ALSO WE HEAR OF MR. MORIARITY AND THE FAIRY WHO DID NOT HAVE A - RED CHIN BEARD AND A BALD HEAD - - -It was really quite surprising to learn how easily Flip could be -depended upon. When it rained, Martha Mary would only need to say: - -“Please, do you think we might have a story?” And Flip would lead the -way to the fireplace and, before you half knew it, you were in the -middle of a delightful story. Or Liza might tumble into the ash can and -hurt her nose. She would cry dreadfully--and Flip would cure the damage -with a story. John might go sailing on the lake Ocean and leave no one -to be Captain of the land army. Away the army--Martha Mary, Walter, -Edward Lee, and Liza--would go to Flip for sympathy--and Flip’s -sympathy would be a story. Best of all were the stories he told in the -Runaway Place where the poppies grew, lying on a small stack of hay, -with his cap on his toe. There were so many told there that I hardly -know which to tell to you first. Perhaps you would like the one about -Mr. Moriarity. - -“Of course you know,” said Flip, “that every child has a fairy just -as there is a fairy for every flower. But what I am going to tell you -is much more surprising than that. Every grown-up, no matter how big -or important he may be, has just as nice a fairy in charge of his -affairs. The fairies of the grown-ups do not show themselves nearly as -often as flowers or children fairies. You see, grown-ups have not the -time to think of such things. Furthermore, they are usually ashamed -to recognize them, and of course the fairies are proud and will not -go where they are not wanted. Would you believe that Father has a -perfectly lovely fairy and there is another little, golden-winged one -that belongs to Mother Dear? Well, there is! I have never seen them, -but there must be. You see, Fairies are dreams, and everybody has -dreams; even Mr. Moriarity, the green grocer. - -“Mr. Moriarity’s fairy was the prettiest little fairy you have ever -seen. Guess why? Because fairies do not take after their owners’ looks. -If they did, Mr. Moriarity’s fairy would have to be a little red-faced -creature with a red chin beard and watery blue eyes and a bald -head. But fairies take after their owners’ dreams, and this was Mr. -Moriarity’s dream: He wanted to be a great musician and play music that -would make all the world glad. He had always loved music; in the olden -days in Kerry County, when he was no larger than John, he used to creep -out of his bed at night, tiptoe into the barn, and hide in the straw -to listen to Tim, his big brother, sing about a girl called Kathleen -Mavourneen, and Peggy Machree, and The Low Back Car to the cows and -pigs. The cows would moo and the pigs would squeal their applause, and -then Mr. Moriarity, who was called Andy in those days, would tiptoe -back to his blankets and hide his head and sing Peggy Machree in a tiny -voice. It was not at all good music, but it made him feel good. So he -dreamed about the day that he should be a great musician and all the -people would clap and the pigs squeal and the cows moo when he played. -He wanted to play the violin because it sounds like the wind singing in -the heather, but violins cost a great deal of money and lessons cost -more, and Andy’s father was only a poor vegetable grower near the bogs. -So it looked as though Andy would never be rich enough to have his -dream. His fairy became unhappy and pale, because music fairies are the -frailest, most delicate little things, and lovely melodies are sunshine -for them. - -“One day Andy was out in the heart of the moor listening to the wind in -the purple heather and singing a song that he had made all himself. His -fairy was sitting on a wild rosebush listening to the music. I know I -have a perfectly awful voice, but this is the song he sang: - - “‘The wild rose is my fairy love, my lady love, my pretty love. - The wild rose is my fairy love and I don’t care who knows it. - She dances for the moorland green, the Irish green, the hillside - green, - And smiles and smiles and smiles upon the breeze that blows it.’ - -“Now, what do you think happened as he sang? Across the moor came a -large, fat man with a violin case under his arm, and a smile upon his -face. He hid in the heather until Andy had stopped singing, then came -out and sat down in front of him, and the big man and the small boy -talked about music. Then the big man took out his brown old violin and -put it to his chin and began to play. Andy leaned back and closed his -eyes and discovered the strangest thing! He could see just as well -with his eyes closed as with them open. And this is what he saw! First -the heather commenced to quiver as though the breeze were blowing from -all four sides; then the twigs parted and out came his own fairy, all -dressed in brown and gold. She danced a skipping dance on the twigs, -then stamped her tiny foot rather impatiently and clapped her hands. -The twigs parted again and out came another fairy, a boy fairy, dressed -in grey and gold, and he took her hand and they danced together. Then -the boy fairy sang the very same song that Andy had sung, and down -from the East Wind came a whole world of little fairies, all gold and -silver, with spiderweb wings and dresses of every color. They danced -here and there and everywhere, the wildest, loveliest dance there ever -was. Up and down and backwards and forwards, in circles and fairy rings -they swung and then the heather began to sway and the wild rosebush to -bend and the green grass to wave and all the fields danced to the fairy -measure. Andy jumped up, threw his brown cap into the air, and crowed -like a rooster. He folded his arms then and danced with them, a dance -that was a jig and a hornpipe and a reel and a minuet all in one. The -big man laughed as though he were ashamed and put away his violin and -would play no more. But Andy told him how much he loved music, and what -do you think? The wonderful man was so pleased that he told Andy to -come to him every night and he should learn to play on the violin that -was two hundred years old. Andy was so excited that he forgot to feed -the pigs that night and hardly ate any bread himself. Off he skipped -after dinner to the house across the moor for his first lesson. But -when he played it did not sound at all nice. The big man said time -would change things, and it was time that spoiled things, after all. -Andy learned the C scale and the F sharp scale pretty well. But scales -were not the kind of music he had dreamed of and he became tired of -practicing. That ended things. He never practiced nor even learned the -octave stretch. This was all his own fault, because his fingers were -very lively and long, but that would not do any good without training. -Finally, one night the big man became discouraged and said there was no -use wasting time with a boy who would not help himself, so Andy’s music -lessons ended. - -“Many years passed and Andy came to California and became a green -grocer. His music fairy hated money and business so much that she -almost died. One evening in the Spring Andy came home, cross and tired -from selling lettuce, and would not talk to his wife or five children -at all. He went out into the poppy field and lay down and went to -sleep. And there he dreamed the very same dream that had come to him -when the big man had played on the moor. Down on the sea breeze came -the gold and silver and many-colored fairies and they skipped and -danced and bowed and pirouetted in a perfect dance of Spring. Up jumped -old Moriarity, forgetting all about his rheumatism, and he danced with -the fairies just as he had done when he was a boy. Right in the middle -of it, when his face was all red and his eyes burning, out came Mrs. -Moriarity and she held her hands on her hips and stared. But all of -a sudden she caught Andy’s eye and he laughed, so up she pulled her -skirts to her knees and commenced to dance with him, singing at the top -of her voice all about Paddy Dear. She made such a noise that out came -the five Moriarity children and they could hardly believe their eyes, -for they had never seen their mother and father act that way before. -But there was no need of worrying; out into the poppy field they -skipped and there, by the light of Lady Rumdidoodledum and a million -other stars, danced Mr. Moriarity and Mrs. Moriarity and the five -little Moriaritys, with oodles and oodles of fairies. All of a sudden -Mrs. Moriarity felt a stitch in her side and she stopped and took Mr. -Moriarity by the ear and led him into the house. Moriarity’s fairy was -so happy that she laughed and wept all night. - -“So now, whenever things go a little bit wrong, Moriarity throws -aside his vegetable bag, calls his wife and children, and out to the -fields they go to dance in the evening light. Moriarity sings Kathleen -Mavourneen and Peggy Machree and The Low Back Car, and out come all -the fairies and dance, too. Of course, Mr. Moriarity’s voice is still -pretty bad, so the cows all moo and the pigs all squeal, but the -poppies smile and the wild rose bows and the fairies are happy as happy -can be.” - - - - -CHAPTER IV - - IN WHICH MARTHA MARY INVADES THE CASTLE, AND FATHER PROVES THAT HE - CAN DO OTHER THINGS BESIDES WRITING BUSINESS IN BIG BOOKS. ALSO - SOMEONE ARRIVES - - -Father was very busy in his den, with the blinds all drawn and the -small log fire lit and a huge stack of papers on his desk. So Martha -Mary was rather afraid when she tapped at his door; you see, the Den -was Father’s private property, just like a castle, and no outsiders, -not even the children, went in very often. - -“Who is there?” called Father. - -“Please, it is me,” said Martha Mary. - -“Who is ‘me’?” demanded Father. - -“Martha Mary, and may I come in?” - -Father shoved the big pile of papers aside and opened the door. - -“Well, Sister,” he said, “what is the trouble? Has Liza fallen in the -lake?” - -“Father! No! Liza never does.” - -“Then what is the trouble?” - -Martha Mary put her arm about Father’s waist just as she always did -when she wanted to ask him a favor. Father always would grant the favor -then. - -“Please,” she said. “Do you think you could do something for us?” - -“Depends what, Sister.” - -“Well, Mother Dear has gone to town and Flip has driven her to the -train and we have played everything and don’t know what to do. So we -thought, as long as Flip wasn’t here, you might be able to tell us a -story. Do you think you could?” - -Father laughed. “The fact is,” he said, “I’m afraid my stories would -not interest you. You see, I don’t know anything about fairies. But I -might try, I suppose----” - -Before he had finished what he supposed, Martha Mary had danced down -the hall and back she came with the whole Sherman family, including -Hermit. It only needed Mother Dear and Flip to make the invasion of the -den complete. Hermit was the oldest, so he chose the rug before the -fire and Liza lay down by his side. Walter and Edward Lee each sat on -an arm of Father’s Morris chair, Martha Mary sat on the floor with her -head on Father’s knee, and John lay on his stomach before the fire and -pulled Hermit’s tail. - -Father took some time to commence, so Martha Mary, who knew it would be -hard work for him, tried to help him along. - -“You don’t need to tell about Fairies,” she said. “Kings and queens -will do, or even every-day people. And Flip never begins with ‘once -upon a time.’” - -“Is that so?” asked Father. “Well, I am going to be different. My story -is going to commence with ‘once upon a time’ and it isn’t going to be -about Kings or Queens or Fairies, or not even every-day people.” - -“I know,” said John. “It’s about pirates.” - -“It is not.” - -“About ice cream,” said Liza. - -“Sorry, Butterfly. Not even ice cream.” - -“I give up,” said Edward Lee, although he hadn’t been guessing at all. - -“You would never guess,” said Father. “So be quiet and I’ll tell you. -It happened ever and ever and ever so long ago--I mean once upon a -time.” - -“When was that?” asked Walter. - -“A long time ago. Now, if you are going to interrupt, I will not go -on. It happened once upon a time, in the year eighteen hundred and -sixty-four. There was a small boy--oh, about nine years old--and his -name was Leonard. Of course people did not call him that; everybody has -to have some short name. It would never do to call him Lenny, because -that sounded girlish, like Jennie, so they called him Mick; you see, he -had red hair and freckles just like a little Irishman.” - -“Was he?” interrupted Martha Mary. - -“Certainly not! He was an American. And he lived on a large farm and -didn’t have much to do all day but build forts and shoot peas in a -willow gun and fight heaps and heaps of make-believe enemies. His -Father was a soldier, gone away to fight the Southerners, and the only -reason he wasn’t perfectly happy was because he was not old enough -to go to war himself. So he used to make-believe and he beat the -Southerners almost every day. One morning he was in the chicken yard, -fighting the hens with a wooden sword, and all at once he heard---- -Guess what?” - -“His Mother calling.” - -“No, he heard real music, with fifes and drums and horns playing the -most wonderful tune he had ever heard. He jumped up and rushed across -the field as quickly as his short legs would carry him, stumbling all -the time, because it was the kind of music a person tries to keep in -step with. Down to the fence at the edge of the farm he went and way -off down the road he saw a cloud of dust, coming nearer all the time, -while the music grew louder and louder. It was so exciting that he -became all hot and red and he cut his legs all up climbing on to the -stone fence. There he sat until the cloud of dust came right across -the field and he saw it was thousands and thousands of soldiers. But -they weren’t like what he thought they would be; not at all like the -way his Father looked when he marched away to war. They had no brass -buttons or gold braid and their swords didn’t shine at all. They -were all dirty and tired and hungry, but they walked just as lively -as though they were on a picnic, and they danced--some of them--and -cheered and sang the song that goes ‘while we were marching through -Georgia.’” - -“I know it,” said Martha Mary. - -“I wish you would keep still,” said John. “This is a wonderful story.” - -“Mary should know it,” said Father. “It’s a fine song. And so they -tramped along, singing as loud as they could, and if you had heard them -you wouldn’t have been able to keep still, either. Well, Mick was very -much excited. He jumped up and down on the stone wall, waving his hat -and almost crying, he was so happy. Then, what do you think? He jumped -so much that he tumbled off the wall and right into the road. It hurt -awfully, too, but he couldn’t cry, because all the soldiers would see -him and he was a soldier’s son. He just lay still and bit his lower -lip. Then the most wonderful thing happened. A big man rode along and -saw Mick, and he swung his sword above his head so it shone in the sun, -even if it was all rusty. - -“‘Halt!’ he shouted, and all the soldiers stood still. - -“The big man jumped off his horse and picked up Mick and said: - -“‘What’s the matter, Son?’ - -“Mick just scowled and said, ‘Nothing.’ - -“‘Does it hurt much?’ asked the man. - -“‘No,’ said Mick. He was determined not to cry. - -“The big man winked to one of the soldiers and said: - -“‘I know what will fix it. Swing him up.’ - -“The soldier saluted and said, ‘On your horse, General?’ - -“‘Certainly,’ said the General. So the soldier picked Mick up and put -him on the neck of the big brown horse and the General swung up behind -him. - -“‘Now,’ he said, ‘give your orders!’ - -“‘What shall I say?’ asked Mick. - -“‘You are the commander,’ said the General. ‘What are your orders?’ - -“At first Mick couldn’t believe his ears. Of course it sounded too good -to be true, so you could hardly blame him. But he wasn’t going to lose -the chance, so he swung around and faced the thousands of soldiers and -shouted just as loud as he possibly could: - -“‘Forward, march!’ - -“Then he remembered something Tom, the farmhand, had once shouted, so -he shouted it: - -“‘Down with the rebels! We’ll eat them alive! Forward!’ - -“You should have heard the soldiers shout. They cheered and shouted and -called, ‘Eat ’em alive!’ and down the road went the whole army, with -Mick leading them. - -“He did not mind the way he bounced on the horse; he didn’t mind -anything, excepting that he was a real soldier and commanding the most -wonderful army. On and on the army marched, singing ‘Bring the good old -bugle, boys,’ and Mick sang with them. He didn’t know the words so he -just shouted, but that didn’t make any difference, because everyone -was making such a noise that no one could hear what he was singing. -Tramp, tramp, they marched and you could hear the bugles and almost -hear the cannon if you closed your eyes and made-believe. And so they -came to the end of the stone wall and the General whispered to Mick: - -“‘Command them to stop!’ - -“Mick shouted, ‘Halt!’ - -“Then the General jumped down from his horse and lifted Mick off and -gave him a whole pocket of empty cartridges. He saluted him just as -though he were a grown-up soldier and said: - -“‘Have you any further orders, Sir, before we leave you?’ - -“Mick thought a moment, then said: ‘Yes. Go ahead and beat all the -rebels and eat ’em alive.’ - -“Again the General saluted him, and he saluted the General, and the -General said: - -“‘What is your name?’ - -“‘Mick Leonard Sherman. What is yours?’ - -“‘That’s queer,’ said the General. ‘Mine is Sherman, too. Now we are -going to march ahead, all the way to the sea, and we’ll beat all the -rebels.’ - -“Then he sprang to his horse and shouted, ‘Forward!’ - -“Down the road and around the turn went the whole army, while Mick sat -on the fence and watched till the very last soldier was out of sight. - -“That was the last Mick ever saw of them. But the soldiers, all cheered -by their song and by the brightness of their flag of red and white and -blue, marched on. Days and days they tramped, building bridges across -the rivers they came to, helping one another when they grew very tired, -capturing spies that they met, and winning all battles. Oh, but they -were wonderful fighters! For miles and miles away you could hear their -cannons roaring and every shot of their guns brought them nearer to -victory and peace. For you know after all, Chicks, they had to fight, -as every true American would fight, to help his country, but they -longed for peace. They didn’t at all enjoy killing their enemies. But -right was on their side and so they fought, on and on, and always -their flag went on before them, and all enemies were swept away. Of -course they had to win, because the last command Mick Leonard Sherman -had given them was to beat all the rebels and eat them alive. - -“And that is all.” - -“That _was_ a story,” said John. - -“And I knew all the time,” said Martha Mary. - -“Knew what, Sister?” - -“It was General Sherman marching from Atlanta to the sea.” - -“You’re right.” - -“And I knew,” said Edward Lee. - -“What did you know, Son?” - -“Mick was Uncle Leonard.” - -“Again right. And that is not all. Guess where Mother Dear has gone!” - -“Give up!” they all shouted together. - -“She has gone to the City to meet Uncle Leonard and bring him here.” - -Even as he said it the do-si-do cart rolled into the garden and out -rushed all the children to greet the wonderful uncle who had commanded -General Sherman’s army years and years ago. He laughed and got red, -because he didn’t know why they were all so very glad to see him. They -almost forgot Mother Dear, all excepting Liza, and she was too young, -anyway, to care very much about soldiers and Generals and fighting for -the Stars and Stripes. - - - - -CHAPTER V - - IN WHICH FLIP TELLS MY FAVORITE STORY, AND IF YOU DO NOT LIKE IT VERY - MUCH, FLIP KNOWS SOMEONE WHO WILL - - -“Smudge was asleep; very peacefully asleep for so huge a personage.” - -“What’s a personage?” asked Walter. - -“A very important person. Now, don’t interrupt! Smudge was asleep at -the sunset end of the valley. There was a bald spot on his head, all -grey and cold, and grey spots climbing up him, and dark grey-blue -corners that the firs shaded. You see, Smudge was the biggest mountain -you can possibly imagine. About the feet of him grew oaks that were -grey and they hid a very world of little folk. Smudge had sat at the -sunset end of the valley for several years; ten thousand years, the -owl says, and he knows. So, of course, there were many flower folks -hiding about, for in all of the ten thousand years there had been many -children born in the world beyond the valley and you, Butterfly, and -everyone else knows that every time a child creature is born in the -world beyond the valley there is another flower creature, sometimes -a gloriously bold California poppy, more often a rather silly little -violet, born in the flower world. As I told you, Smudge, all grey and -cold, was sleeping at the sunset end of the valley. As he slept, a -bird, somewhere in the trees, piped a morning song. Smudge shivered -and a cool, shivery breeze came through the groves. Again the tree -creature piped and then the stupid bald spot of grey on Smudge’s nice -old head took on a strange flush. As he flushed the sky in the other -end of the valley grew the color of a baby rose; the grass in the -valley stirred, and a rabbit-person with an adorable bunch of white -cotton for a tail sat up and cocked two pink ears. And Smudge, sleepy, -ten-thousand-year-old Smudge, yawned, and his stirring sent a family -of meadow larks dancing into the grey sky. They sang a song, all -golden and gay, and the grey-pink sky grew golden, and the fir tops -blushed and ripples of crimson laughter skipped on the silver-grey -stream in the valley. The Poppy folk bestirred themselves and stretched -wide their arms; the boldest of the violets peered above the frail -maidenhair and a Brown-Eyed-Susan sat up to greet Smudge. And lazy -Smudge slept on. But the morning would not have it so; down from the -bald spot and over the lazy creature’s body crept the dawn-flush, -painting bits of red below his eyes and golden tan in the many-year-old -wrinkles; the beard of cypress trees shook out their branches and the -stream that danced about Smudge’s mouth became boisterously happy. And -STILL Smudge slept. - -“Out of the pussy willows, with a flutter of wings, came a -butterfly-person, so very yellow that the glow that was the sun hid in -dismay for a moment--only a moment--behind a copper cloud. Up to the -heights darted the butterfly, a spot of gold against the huge mountain -of grey-pink. It soared and danced an undignified minuet, then floated -down and tickled Smudge on the lips, and Smudge smiled in his sleep. -The golden butterfly snapped its eyes, for it was very much provoked; -up into the sky of blue it went again and flitted its wings, then came -down and again tickled the old creature, this time, most wisely, on the -nostril, and, just as you might expect, Smudge sneezed and woke up. - -“Then it was very wonderful--it came like a wondrous burst of love -music. The sun poured over the world and all the Flower folk and bird -creatures and every rabbit and field mouse and worm danced out into -the morning sunshine and sang a lovely morning prayer that I, stupid -creature, have forgotten every word of. Smudge grunted and wiped the -sleep from his eyes and grinned and saw the golden yellowbird butterfly. - -“‘Good morning, Loveliness,’ said Smudge. - -“‘Good morning, Old One,’ said the disrespectful yellow bird. Then she -danced on Smudge’s lip and tickled his ear. When he bent branches to -capture her she darted away and came back to laugh and impudently put -her fingers to her nose. Sentimental old Smudge sighed and whispered: - -“‘Oh, Loveliness! I wish you were more serious so that I could love you -the more.’ - -“Indignantly, Loveliness flew away, down into the valley and flirted -with a baby daisy. Smudge laughed indulgently, in the manner of the -aged, and called to him his counselor. Can you guess who his counselor -was, Butterfly? It was a man-baby, a tiny pink one, with just a bit of -sunny hair on his head and funny, fat little wrinkles on his baby body. -He was the counselor because he was Youth, and only Youth and Smudge -could live forever. Smudge became dignified and said: - -“‘Oh, Wise One, what is the business of the day?’ - -“The baby-being laughed and caught a grasshopper and said: - -“‘The Blackbird.’ - -“‘The Blackbird?’ stormed Smudge. ‘What have I to do with her? Day -and day again I have said that she is nothing to me; poor, somber bit -of ebony. I want sunshine and the crystal’s colors and dancing and -happiness; not blackness.’ - -“The man-baby laughed and stuck a blade of grass in the grasshopper’s -ear and whispered: - -“‘Silly, silly! If the Blackbird loves you so much, then you must have -to do with her, for her love makes her more precious than all your -other subjects.’ - -“Smudge sneered and made a nasty remark about the words of infants. - -“Then, Children, what do you think happened? A whole thousand years and -a half passed and there came another sunrise. Smudge sat up and yawned -and became frightened, for there was no golden flush in the sky and no -poppy color in the fields. He shivered and called the man-baby, and the -man-baby came riding on the back of a jack-rabbit, pulling its tail. - -“‘Good morning, Lord Smudge,’ said the man-baby. ‘You look as though -you needed medicine.’ - -“‘Don’t be impudent!’ shouted Smudge. ‘Where is the sun and the golden -Butterfly bird?’ - -“‘Please,’ said the man-baby. ‘The sun has rheumatism and the golden -bird has gone away with an eagle.’ - -“‘So!’ screamed Smudge, just like a peevish giant. ‘What am I to do all -day alone?’ - -“‘Please,’ said the man-baby. ‘There is the Blackbird.’ - -“Smudge yawned. ‘All right,’ he grumbled. ‘Call the Blackbird!’ - -“The man-baby stood up on the jack-rabbit’s back and galloped down into -the valley, into a cradle of violets and cream-cups. There he found -the Blackbird and said to her, ‘Come!’ The Blackbird hopped to the -jack-rabbit’s tail, and the three galloped back to Smudge. - -“‘Good morning,’ grumbled Smudge, ungraciously. ‘So you’ve come at last -to give me a day of blackness and creeps?’ - -“The man-baby giggled so that he tumbled right off the jack-rabbit -and spilled into a wild rosebush. There he lay and you could hear him -snickering. - -“‘Well,’ shouted Smudge. ‘Why don’t you speak?’ - -“The Blackbird hid her head and whispered, ‘I love you.’ - -“‘Silly child,’ said Smudge. ‘Come out and let me see you!’ - -“He sat up so he could see better and then, Children, he almost fell -right out of his valley bed. For the Blackbird was sitting on a branch -of a willow tree, and right on each of her black wings was a large ruby -of lovely crimson, brighter--oh, very much brighter than the brightest -flower you have ever seen. - -“‘Loveliness,’ shouted Smudge, using the same name he had used for the -golden butterfly bird (men always do), ‘I thought you were black and -somber.’ - -“‘I was,’ said the Blackbird, and her eyes became all teary. - -“‘But the sunlight on your wings and the valley of green of your eyes -and the rainbow of your neck! Where did they come from, Loveliness?’ - -“‘I love you,’ said the Blackbird-with-the-crimson-wings. ‘I have -loved you for more than a thousand years, more years than there are -buttercups on the hill. And so, with thinking of you and longing to -have you love me, how could I help but grow the way you wished?’ - -“‘Loveliness, Loveliness,’ Smudge whispered, in a very gruff, choky -whisper. The man-baby fell from a willow tree and bumped his nose on -Smudge’s toe and sat up and laughed. Then all the valley grew golden -and the sky was glory bright; the meadow larks sang as they sat on the -twigs, and the violets and wild pansies and buttercups and golden cups -and poppies and brown-eyed-susans and forget-me-nots and daisies danced -a lovely, happy dance that frightened away the very grey old owl, and -another day was born.” - - - - -CHAPTER VI - - IN WHICH EDWARD LEE AND WALTER GO ON THE WARPATH BECAUSE THEY DON’T - KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO, AND ON ACCOUNT OF THEM JOHN AND MARTHA MARY - MISS HEARING THE MELODRAMA - - -Edward Lee and Walter were on the warpath. The warpath leads through -the orchard to the power-house where the big engine pumps water that -irrigates all the farmland, even to Levy’s place. The cause of the -two warriors’ fighting mood was this; they were bored with Life; -bored with lessons, and bored through and through with the stories of -fairies and other silliness that Flip always told. So, they went on -the warpath, armed with all the clothes-line they could find in the -laundry, and two wooden swords. The first victim, luckily for them, -was John. He was seated on a wheelbarrow outside of the power-house, -trying to smoke dried magnolia leaves. This made him feel cold and -wobbly and not at all in fighting trim. So it was a simple matter for -Edward Lee and Walter to jump on him from the rear, tie him in approved -warrior fashion, gag him with a handkerchief, and lead him into the -power-house. There they held a council of war; John was convicted of -innumerable offences, including kissing Uncle Mick, and condemned -to spend the afternoon in confinement, tied to the power engine. He -struggled manfully when they tied him to his post, but it was no use; -the magnolia leaf smoke had made him too sick to fight, and in short -order he was a helpless, speechless prisoner. Then the warriors planned -the strategic stroke that would trap Martha Mary. Up the warpath the -two men marched boldly and to the door of Martha Mary’s sun-room. She -was seated on a small trunk, painting red violets all over a cake-plate. - -“Madame,” said Walter, “we have been sent by the King to bring you -into his presence. You are to come at once, but you must be gagged and -blindfolded because you mustn’t see the way to the Royal Palace. Are -you ready?” - -Of course Martha Mary knew that John was the king, and she was -flattered that he had sent for her. So she allowed herself to be -bound and gagged and blindfolded and led down the warpath. She knew -all the time where she was going, because the power-house always was -the Palace. But she didn’t know what was going to happen, so you can -imagine her surprise when she found herself tied to the wall and then -tried and convicted of crying at Flip’s last story and condemned to -spend the afternoon, just like John, in solitary confinement. She -didn’t know John was there already, and he could not tell her because -he was gagged. So the warriors tied her to the wall next to John and -then locked the power-house door and went off to find Flip. He was busy -making a new bridle for Peggy, the Shetland pony, and as he did not -work with his mouth the warriors knew that he would have no excuse for -not telling a story. They jumped on his back when he didn’t expect it -and refused to get off until he had agreed to tell them a tale that -had no women or fairies in it at all. Flip agreed but first he rolled -Walter and Edward Lee off his back and on to the floor to prove to -them that he wasn’t beaten. - -This is the story he told them, and although there is one woman in it, -if the girl listeners do not like it they don’t have to listen because -it is not intended for them anyhow. - - * * * * * - -“‘Doughnuts and Crullers,’ swore the pirate chief as he wiped a -quantity of blood off his throat-ripper on to his red sleeve. -‘Doughnuts and Crullers! I have an idea!’ - -“‘Yoho, yoho,’ shouted all the pirate band gathered about. ‘The Chief -has an idea.’ - -“‘A marvel-l-lous idea,’ quoth the Chief. - -“‘Marvelous,’ shouted the band. - -“‘Doughnuts and Crullers,’ shrieked the Chief, although he knew lots of -other cusses, too. ‘You’ve made such a noise that I have forgotten it.’ - -“Then the Chief frowned and his temper became terrible because he -seldom had ideas and he hated to lose them when they did come. He -became so furious that he shouted: - -“‘Bring out Red Blood Ike, the one-eyed Swede!’ - -“Immediately a dozen valiant pirates sprang into the black tent and -came out with the one-eyed Swede. He was a terrible looking person. One -eye was gone, altogether, and the other one was pink. But that wasn’t -all. He had only one arm--the right one--and only one leg--the left -one. His mouth was black as coal. That came from his habit of eating -fire; he really could, just like drinking water or anything else. And -he liked it. He said it tasted like fried spinach. - -“‘Orange Marmalade,’ he shouted, for that was HIS favorite cuss. ‘What -do you want with me? I was dreaming of cutting off the fingers of all -Republicans and you have disturbed me.’ - -“‘Ike,’ said the Chief, ‘I had an idea and I lost it.’ - -“‘Yes, yes,’ said Ike. - -“‘That is all,’ said the Chief. ‘Only now I feel so badly that unless -you can give me a plan my whole day will be spoiled. And I wanted it -to be a nice day. I have not killed anyone for a long time.’ - -“Red Blood Ike bit his mustache, which was a habit he had when he was -thinking. It kept him cool and steady-nerved which is the way all true -pirates must be. - -“‘Perhaps,’ he said, ‘if someone sings to me a sad, sweet song, I will -be able to help you. You know, Chief, I can always think best when -someone sings sad, sweet songs.’ - -“‘It is a good suggestion,’ said the Chief, ‘nothing is as soothing to -the mind as sad, sweet songs, unless it be killing people or fighting -Indians. Call out our singer, you lazy dogs!’ - -“They called out Hairslip Charles, the baritone of the gang. He sat on -a whisky barrel and sharpened his throat-ripper and sang Ike’s favorite -song: the one about the Pigs and little Fishes: - - “There was me and Captain Harry in the Port of Monterey. - Sing, you pigs and little fishes in the moonlight. - Oh, the stars they all was shining and a-dancin’ on the bay. - Sing, you pigs and little fishes by the moon. - - There was rum on Harry’s whiskers and was rum in Harry’s eye. - Sing, you pigs and little fishes in the moonlight. - So I sticks him with my sticker and was glad to see him die, - And they ups and makes me Captain by the moon. - - Then I dumps ex-Captain Harry in the Port of Monterey. - Sing, you pigs and little fishes in the moonlight. - And we ’as a solemn funeral and for the body pray. - Sing, you pigs and little fishes by the moon. - - Next we sails from Monterey in the sinking of the night. - Sing, you pigs and little fishes in the moonlight. - And we heads across the waters and an island heaves in sight - In the sickly, pale blue shining of the moon. - - And on the shore was cannibals and all they wore was hair. - Sing, you pigs and little fishes in the moonlight. - And my mate he winks his winker and he ses he doesn’t care - If they stays right where they are by the moon. - - But we lands and has a battle and we takes the Zulu band. - Sing, you pigs and little fishes by the moonlight. - And the blood it flew like water and it stained the island sand - In the Pale blue, sickly shining of the moon. - - Then we builds a roarin’ fire and some water we did boil. - Sing, you pigs and little fishes in the moonlight. - And we ups and eats the cannibals we’d boiled in old shark oil-- - Oh, you hungry, hungry fishes by the moon. - - And now we all are cannibals and live on human meat, - Sing, you pigs and little fishes in the moonlight. - And we’ve grown so strong and mighty that we never can be beat. - Singing, singing, singing, singing by the moon. - -“The tears poured down Ike’s cheeks as Hairslip Charles sang, and when -the song was through Ike raised his hand and said: - -“‘I have it.’ - -“All the pirates sprang to their feet. - -“‘He has it,’ they shouted. - -“‘Proceed,’ commanded the Chief. I forgot to tell you that his name was -Mr. Smith, but they usually called him Blue Murder Smith. - -“‘This is my plan,’ said Ike. ‘We will send our bold men out to capture -three prisoners. We will tie them to a stake and then, with threats of -endless terrors, make each of them give us an idea. The one who has the -best idea will be granted anything he wishes and then set free; the -other two must----’ - -“‘Die,’ roared the band. - -“‘Die,’ said Ike. - -“Mr. Blue Murder Smith was delighted with the idea. He sent his men -out to find three prisoners and they rode miles across the mountains -until they came to the stage road. Down the road came a coach drawn -by six huge horses. Ike, who was leading the assaulting party, hid in -the bushes with his men until the coach came by; then they sprang out -and Ike put his ten-inch gun to the driver’s head while the gang held -the horses. Then Shivering Sam threw open the door of the coach and -commanded the people in it to come out. There were exactly three. The -first was a traveling man who sold underwear when business was good. He -got out, moaning and praying for them not to take his samples. The next -was a handsome officer with gold braid on his uniform and a bold look -in his eye. And the third was the loveliest, most golden-haired girl -you have ever seen. The pirates tied them together and drove them back -to the camp, leaving the coach-driver bound to a tree. For all I know -he may still be there. They came into camp and Blue Murder Smith arose, -twisted his mustache and greeted his prisoners. His orders were that -they be fastened to stakes and then given a chance to tell the three -ideas. The traveling salesman was the only one who struggled; he had an -appointment with a customer at seven o’clock and he knew his firm would -be furious if he didn’t keep it. So they gave him the first chance to -tell an idea. After much thought, this is what he said: - -“‘I am supposed to be in the next town to-night to sell a carload of -underwear--W. & W. quality, selling at fifty per cent. off, I recommend -that you gentlemen use it. If I don’t get there my firm will be in -danger of losing a good customer and I of losing my position. So you -let me go ahead and I’ll sell my bill and get the money for it; then -I’ll take the stage back to-morrow, you can hold us up again and take -the money away from me and then let me go. As long as I don’t lose the -customer the firm won’t be so angry that the money was stolen.’ - -“‘Bah!’ sneered Shivering Sam. ‘That is a poor idea. We’ll send to -your customer and take the money away from him and keep you, too, and -probably roast you. And we’ll make new flags for our fleet out of the -underwear if it is red.’ - -“‘Right-O!’ said Mr. Blue Murder Smith. ‘Now let’s hear the soldier’s -idea.’ - -“They tied the salesman up again and dragged the soldier out and got -his lovely uniform all mussed. As they pulled him he clutched the -fingers of the golden-haired girl and kissed them, and she looked so -sad that tears came into the single pink eye of Red Blood Ike. But he -was a pirate’s son and had to be hard of heart. - -“The soldier looked very frightened. He bowed politely to the pirate -band and told his idea and it was even worse than the salesman’s plan. - -“He wanted the pirates to let him go if he would sing them a song. -Now, you know they were musical pirates and liked music, so they -were inclined to accept his offer. But when he began to sing in a -heart-breaking tone, ‘Darling, I am growing old, Silver threads amongst -the gold,’ they all began to hoot and shriek to drown his simply awful -voice. Then they led him away without further words. - -“Mr. Blue Murder Smith smacked his lips and shouted, ‘Doughnuts and -Crullers! Have out the woman!’ - -“She didn’t seem to be at all frightened. She shook hands with Hairslip -Charles and asked Mr. Smith how all the little Smiths were, although -there were none at all because Mr. Smith never had time to be married. -Then she told her plan, and you can be sure it was exciting. This was -it: - -“She said that way down in the Southern Seas there was an island -inhabited by a tribe of one-legged negroes. They lived on cocoanuts and -whisky; they were very gentle and had no cannibalistic habits (which -means that they were not cannibals). A long time ago, nearly ten years, -a ship had been wrecked off the island with a cargo of Spanish gold and -fruit cake. Also a brand new crown that had been made in Paris for the -Island King. When the ship was on the rocks two sailors had swum ashore -with the chests of gold and the crown. Then the weight of the fruit -cake sunk the leaking ship. The two sailors had dragged the treasure -way up on the island and buried it. But it would be quite easy to find. -You landed and walked right to the very center of the island, then wet -your finger and held it up in the air. The side of the finger that was -coldest was the direction you had to dig and you were sure to find the -treasure. - -“‘Orange Marmalade,’ cussed Ike. ‘This sounds good. But how do we know -you are speaking the truth?’ - -“‘Here,’ said the golden-haired girl, ‘is a piece of the gold. You see -my father was one of the sailors who was saved.’ - -“She held out her hand and sure enough there was a piece of the gold, -all yellow and shiny. Smith bit it and said it was all right. Then -the pirate chief took a vote and found that the girl’s idea had been -the only good one, and that, as they had agreed, she should be given -anything she wished and allowed to go free. - -“‘Please,’ said the girl, ‘may I have anything I really and truly -wish?’ - -“‘Absolutely anything,’ said Smith, and then he got frightened for the -golden-haired girl said: - -“‘Oh, you lovely, lovely pirate,’ and tried to kiss him. - -“‘Well,’ shouted Smith. ‘What do you want?’ - -“‘If I can have anything,’ said the girl, and looked with soft eyes at -the soldier, ‘I want you to hold these two prisoners for just two days -so that I can have prayers said for them before they die.’ Her eyes -twinkled; she looked at the salesman and said to Smith: - -“‘And please, when you roast this man, put in plenty of salt.’ - -“‘We will,’ said Smith, and ‘We will,’ shouted his men. - -“Then they brought a horse and lifted the girl on to the saddle. As she -leaned over to kiss the soldier good-by, she whispered something in -his ear that no one else could hear, but Smith didn’t bother because -he thought it was just a good-by. It wasn’t, though, as you soon shall -hear. - -“Down the road the girl went at a gallop, as fast as her horse could -carry her. All afternoon she rode and just before sunset came into the -soldier’s camp. Up to the General’s tent she cantered and then stood -before him, all breathless. She told him everything that had happened -and begged him to take his men and save the soldier, and the salesman, -too, if he wished, although she didn’t mind so much about him. The -General scratched his white beard and said: - -“‘Why should I do this?’ - -“‘Oh, Sir,’ she said, ‘the soldier is your son.’ - -“‘Murder and Death,’ roared the General. ‘I’ll have their heads; the -villains!’ - -“He ordered out a whole company of cavalry, and jumped on his own horse -and down the road they went, led by the golden-haired girl. They rode -all night as fast as the wind, and came in sight of the land pirates’ -camp just before sunrise. - -“‘We must go slowly,’ said the General. In a loud whisper he ordered -his men off their horses and then, with guns in hand, they crept into -the camp on their hands and knees. The first thing they heard was -the soldier prisoner snoring. He was making such a noise that the -golden-haired girl thought he would wake the pirates, so she crept -up and put her fingers over his lips. He dreamed someone was trying -to poison him and bit, just as hard as he could. Of course the girl -screamed, and out came the whole company of pirates. Then, how they -fought! You never heard such a racket in your life; there was screaming -and shouting and firing of guns and blood all about, and over all you -could hear Blue Murder Smith cussing: - -“‘Crullers and Doughnuts.’ - -“And Ike shrieking, ‘Orange Marmalade.’ - -“They fought for hours and hours. That is, all but the salesman. As -soon as the General cut his ropes, he grabbed his samples and ran like -the wind. - -“The others fought on, and the first thing you knew, every last pirate -was stretched cold and dead on the hard, hard ground. And then the -soldier held out his arms and the golden-haired girl came into them and -the cavalry all cheered and the General blessed them (I mean the girl -and her soldier) and--they, no doubt, lived happily ever after.” - - * * * * * - -“Phew!” said Edward Lee. - -“Phew!” said Walter. - -“Orange Marmalade,” shouted Edward Lee. “Here come the pirates.” Down -the road he charged straight into the arms of Mother Dear, almost -knocking her over. - -All afternoon Edward Lee and Walter were soldiers and pirates and they -attacked everybody on the place before dinner. Even then they did not -want to go in, but Father insisted. - -“And by the way,” said Father. “Where are Martha Mary and John?” - -Edward Lee looked at Walter and Walter looked at Edward Lee and then -they remembered. Down to the power-house they rushed and there were -the prisoners, all pale and tired and wobbly in the legs. Edward Lee -really felt badly. He kissed Martha Mary and begged her not to care. -He offered to shake hands with John, but John wouldn’t shake. As for -Walter, he got a laughing fit and wouldn’t stop until Father ordered -him off to bed without any dinner. Later Martha Mary sneaked up the -back stairs with a tray for him and no one knew it. Then Mother Dear -felt worried and said it wasn’t wise to let him go to sleep without -eating, so she took him another tray and found Martha Mary’s. And still -later, when he thought no one would notice, Father tiptoed up the back -stairs with still more, and Walter had a gorgeous time. And Father -laughed and spanked him and then hugged him. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - - IN WHICH LIZA GOES UNDER THE SIDEBOARD; WALTER AND EDWARD LEE FIX THE - CAT, AND FLIP PROVES THAT THE CITY FOGS ARE NICE - - -It was Liza who discovered the secret. She was hiding from Hermit, and -the best place to hide is under the sideboard, because Hermit is too -large to crawl there. She was very quiet; so quiet that no one knew she -was there at all. When Mother Dear and Father came in to put flowers on -the table, she lay still as still could be and heard everything they -said. Then she went right off to tell John although it was supposed to -be a secret. John was busy taking an alarm clock apart, but he stopped -when Liza came, and kissed her nose. - -“Hullo, Big Sister,” he said. “Which way is the wind blowing?” John -always asked Liza interesting things. He didn’t act at all grown-upish -with her like he did with the others. - -“John,” said Liza, “what do you think?” - -“Lots of things,” said John. - -“It’s a secret,” said Liza. - -“What?” said John. - -Then Liza told him. The whole family was going to the City on Saturday -and Uncle Captain Mick was going to take Martha Mary and John to the -theater. The others were to go to the Cliff House and have lunch on the -beach with waffles and peanuts. - -John pretended not to be very much excited. Even with Liza he was -annoying and superior when anyone was so happy that they could hardly -keep still. But the others acted differently when they heard. Edward -Lee and Walter had to do something big. So Walter put the white and -black cat in a bucket of whitewash and Edward Lee put ink on the -whitewash to make the black spots again. They always did queer things -when they were glad. As for Martha Mary--she sought out Flip to tell -him the news and there the rest of the younger part of the family, -which was of course the most important part, found her, an hour later. - -“Cities aren’t so much,” said John. - -Flip thought they were. He had lived in San Francisco years and years -ago. - -“But you can’t do interesting things there, like rowing and such,” said -John. - -“You certainly can,” argued Flip. - -“And anyway,” said John, “it’s always foggy and cold, and things aren’t -alive there like the trees and hills and things in your stories.” - -“You are mistaken,” said Flip. “I remember perfectly well----” - -“It’s a story; isn’t it, please?” said Martha Mary. - -“Well, not exactly a story.” - -“Please,” said Martha Mary, and rubbed her soft, pink cheek against -Flip’s forehead. So what could Flip do but tell the story?--the story -of the Things that are alive in the City. - - * * * * * - -“You see, John really doesn’t know anything about it. There are just as -many dreams and fairies and sprites in the City as there are right here -in our own garden. Only everyone has to attend to business in the City -and can’t always remember these things. Why, the fairies that dance on -Tamalpais are the most gorgeously happy fairies, I think, in all the -world.” - -“Who’s Tamperpies?” Liza wanted to know. - -“Tamalpais is the biggest, oldest mountain you have ever dreamed of -anywhere.” - -“Just like Smudge?” - -“Exactly, only not quite so silly and spoiled as Smudge. It is a very -dignified old mountain even if it is so lovely, and it sits right at -the North Star corner of the bay and rules all the country for miles -and miles around. But old Tamalpais is not the same as it used to be. -When it was younger--oh, about twenty years ago--it was all covered -with nice, tall trees; some of them so high that one would think the -blue sky was resting on them. There were red berries, too, and vines -and tremendously big ferns and the green things grew so thickly that -one could hardly walk through them. There were wild things there, too; -bears and deer and wild cats and heaps of squirrels and more singing -birds than there are hairs on Hermit’s tail. - -“Right across the sunset water was the loveliest city; a city that -rambled over a half-dozen queer old hills, up and down, twisting -about like a regular jig-saw puzzle. And oh, it was a proud City, just -as haughty and conceited as it could be. Of course it had lots to -be conceited about, for there never was such a happy city of people -before. They had wonderfully good times in such a perfectly nice way, -and were so lively and busy that of course they couldn’t help being -proud. - -“More than any of these things, the City was proud of its lovely -mountain across the bay, and what do you think? The trees and flowers -were so thick on the mountain sides that it could never see through -them and had no idea that the City was there at all. The City grieved -at this because she loved the mountain so much and wanted it to love -her. She used to send messengers over to it on Sundays and holidays; -boys and girls by the dozen, in old tramping clothes, and they would -take their lunch along, and sit in the fields and pick the poppies and -violet-blue Lupin to bring back and put in vases and jugs in the City -homes. One Sunday,--the sunniest, brightest Sunday you ever saw,--one -of the messengers lay down in the grass under a bay tree and lit his -pipe and thought. I don’t know what he was thinking; it must have been -something uninteresting, for little by little, his eyes closed, and -the first thing you knew, he was sound asleep. The pipe fell out of -his mouth and right into some dried leaves. Then it was awful; the -grass caught on fire and before the messenger awakened the flames had -eaten way out into the forest. The messenger awoke and tried to fight -the fire alone, but it was useless. He cried for help and people came -rushing from all sides to do what they could, but it was no use; on and -on the fire spread till all the trees and bushes on the mountain were -burned away. All night the flames raged and the sky was red, like a -sunset, and smoke poured over the bay. And in the morning the mountain -lay, all bare and black, and oh, the City mourned to see it. But you -know, when anything unpleasant happens, something nice happens, too. -In this case all the growth of green being gone from Tamalpais, he -could look about him for miles and the very first thing he saw was the -wonderful City--and--it was a case of love at first sight! - -“Well, the Mountain and the City loved each other for years and years -and years. Every morning, the soldiers in the City would fire a cannon -to welcome the sun and that would awaken Tamalpais. He would yawn and -look across the water; then he would smile and when he smiled it was -like oceans of sunshine. Then the City would smile an answer and the -day would begin. The hours were so short until dark, one hardly noticed -them pass. In the evening, millions of lights would come out in the -City like the loveliest diamond necklace of a fairy queen. Only fairies -wear dewdrops and not diamonds. Tamalpais would gaze and gaze at the -lights and the City would see the huge, black form standing out against -the night sky, and so--just like a couple of children--they grew so -interested watching each other that they forgot to go to bed at all. -That would never do, you know. First the North Wind scolded the City; -then the Lady Moon gave the mountain an awful lecture, but it didn’t do -any good. Tamalpais began to have wrinkles because he did not sleep, -and the City became rather ill-humored. So the North Wind went to the -Sun and asked him what he thought they had better do. Of course the -Sun had a good idea; he always does seem to manage things somehow. He -waited until late in the afternoon, then the very last thing, just -before bedtime, he went west, out into the ocean, and drew the water -up in the sky to make lovely white clouds of it. Then the North Wind -came over so gently. He took the white clouds through the Golden Gate -and heaped them just like hills and hills of white, soft pillows, all -over the City, and the mountain too. That night no one could sleep; the -Mountain grieved because it couldn’t see the City, and the City was -lonely because it couldn’t see the black form of Tamalpais. But that -was only the first night. After a while they grew rather used to it -and learned to watch for the ocean of white clouds. Then they would go -to sleep, and it was always more exciting for them to wake up in the -morning and see each other. Of course sometimes they would wake up and -the clouds would still be there. Then the Mountain would grumble and -the City would shiver, and down would come the North Wind to carry the -clouds away again--and there would be sunshine. - -“Now, every night, when the bugles in the Presidio sound ‘Taps,’ which -is the soldiers’ song when they go to sleep, the North Wind hears the -soft, whispering music and brings in arms full of white clouds so that -Tamalpais and the City by the Golden Gate can go to sleep.” - - * * * * * - -Edward Lee laughed when Flip had finished the story. - -“That is very impolite of you,” said Martha Mary. “I liked Tamalpais -and you shouldn’t laugh.” - -“Wasn’t laughing at that,” said Edward Lee. - -“What was it, then?” asked Martha Mary. - -“It’s Liza,” said Edward Lee. “Look at her. Someone has been putting -white clouds over her.” - -Sure enough, Liza was sound asleep with her arms about Hermit’s neck. - -Hermit was asleep, too, with his mouth open and his tongue hanging out, -although it is very bad to sleep with one’s mouth open. - -But, you see, Hermit is only a dog and dogs can’t understand -everything. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - - IN WHICH MARTHA MARY HAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND LEARNS THE LOVELIEST OF - SECRETS AND FLIP’S ASPIRATIONS ARE EXPLAINED - - -It was Martha Mary’s birthday; the brightest, happiest birthday she -could remember. But, of course, the last birthday a person has always -seems the nicest. Everyone had presents for her. From Father and Uncle -Captain Mick there were oodles of books and ribbons and things for a -sewing-basket. John borrowed fifty cents from Levy, the butcher, and -bought a perfectly good spy-glass. Martha Mary could use it, he said, -to spy out the rest of the family when she wanted company, or Liza -when she got lost. Personally, I think he expected some pretty good -times with it himself. Walter and Edward Lee sold forty bottles to the -rags-bottles-sacks-man for fifteen cents, and with the aid of a nail -managed to get eleven cents more out of their penny-bank. They bought -five molasses sticks, one for each of the children, which left just a -penny over. Mother’s presents were the nicest of all. First there was a -white linen cushion to be embroidered with golden poppies; then there -was a book of the Secret Garden and a perfectly beautiful edition of -Peter Pan. Best of all! Guess what! There was a corset! It wasn’t a -really and truly corset because Mother Dear did not approve of them, -not even for grown-up women, but it had whalebone all up and down it -like the strait-jacket they keep prisoners in. - -Martha Mary went under the trees with all her presents, and John was -particularly nice and not at all grown-upish. He built a throne on the -stump of the old oak tree and Martha Mary sat there, surrounded by the -trees and flowers and birds, and John made her a wreath of buttercups -and a daisy chain. Then he tooted a blast on the cook’s dinner-horn and -called all the court to do homage to Queen Mary. - -Flip was out in the field planting alfalfa. When he heard the horn he -stopped work, although he was quite sure it was not lunch time. Still, -he wasn’t going to take any chances because he certainly did like to -eat. Across the lawn he came and there he saw the queen, surrounded by -all her subjects. - -“What is this?” asked Flip. “Why the celebration?” - -“Please,” said Martha Mary, a little bit choky, “you have forgotten, -Flip, and I did not want you to forget.” - -“What did I forget, Ladykin Dear?” asked Flip. - -Martha Mary would not tell because she did not want him to feel badly. -Neither would John. - -“You tell me, Butterfly,” Flip coaxed Liza. - -“It’s her birfday,” said Liza, “and there is going to be cake with -candles for tea.” - -Well, at first Flip felt so badly that he couldn’t talk at all; then he -got an idea. - -“Queen Mary,” he said, “I did forget and it was hateful of me. But -there was a reason for my forgetting. You see I have a secret, too, and -I’ve been thinking and thinking about it and almost forgot everything -else. Will you forgive me?” - -“Please,” said Martha Mary. “Yes, but I should like to know the secret.” - -Flip bit his lip. He really wanted to tell but did not know if he had -the right. You see when people know nice things it is much more fun -to tell them to everybody. So he agreed. He said the secret was only -for Martha Mary, so the boys and Liza would have to go away for ten -minutes. Martha Mary raised her willow branch scepter and ordered them -away. Then Flip lay on the grass and rested his head against Martha -Mary’s knees and closed his eyes. - -“Please,” said Martha Mary. “I am waiting.” - -“It’s hard to tell, Silly,” said Flip. - -“But you promised.” - -“Well,” said Flip, and got all red. “I’m in love!” - -“Flip!” said Martha Mary, so surprised that she almost tumbled off her -throne. “Only grown-ups fall in love.” - -“But I am grown-up. I’m more than twenty-four years old.” - -“Is that old enough?” - -“Yes, if the person you love is more sensible than you are.” - -“Is she? And is she nice?” - -“Nice! Martha Mary, let me tell you about her. In the first place, -she is very small for such a grown-up person. She looks no more than -fifteen, but she is all of twenty years old. And she is so fine--and -really very pretty, Ladykin. She has oodles and oodles of brown hair -and the kindest, softest brown eyes and the dearest funny little nose -and a strong, mannish jaw. You couldn’t help liking her. And she likes -nice things; birds and flowers and books--and fairies, too. And she -likes me!” - -“Now I know,” said Martha Mary. - -“What?” - -“You told Mother Dear when you came that you had aspirations. Mother -would not tell me what aspirations were, but now I know. She is it.” - -“Not exactly,” said Flip. “But she has to do with them. Shall I tell -you all about them?” - -“Please,” said Martha Mary. - -“Well, it began years and years ago. I lived in San Francisco with a -splendid father and a mother as lovely and fine as Mother Dear. My best -friend was a little, brown-haired girl. Her name was Janet, but that -was too grown-up and old-fashioned, so we called her Jane although that -is rather old-fashioned, too. But, you see, Jane was an old-fashioned -girl. We played the nicest games, Martha Mary, and when we were tired -I would tell Jane stories just like I tell you. One day a man came -to Jane’s house. He stood behind the door and listened to one of my -stories. Later he made me tell him others. When I had finished he -said that when I was older I would be an author and write books. That -became my aspiration. I made up my mind to be an author; not a great -one who would try to change the world, but just a simple, quiet one who -could tell stories that would make people just a little more happy. -Then, Ladykin, one night something awful happened. I will not tell you -much about it. There came a terrible earthquake. I don’t like to talk -about it. A brick chimney fell right on my mother and father’s bed and -killed them. It was awfully lonely then. I had learned to love Jane -meanwhile but I was quite poor and so I had to go away. I couldn’t make -money writing stories because my work was not good enough and I was not -known. So I decided to work on a farm and write when I found the time. -And here I am. Now, Martha Mary, guess what!” - -“What?” asked Martha Mary. - -“I have been working very hard every night on my stories all the time -I have been here. Did you see the envelope the postman brought for me -this morning?” - -“Yes.” - -“It was from the publishers who print books. They have really and truly -bought my stories and sent a perfectly good check and--I am an author.” - -Martha Mary’s eyes were all watery. “Flip,” she said, “I am so happy I -have to hug you.” She hugged him and then remembered about her birthday. - -“I forgive you and excuse you altogether for forgetting,” she said. -“Your secret is the nicest thing that has happened to-day.” - -“But that is not the secret.” - -“Flip. Is there more?” - -“There is.” - -“Tell me, please.” - -“I was so excited when my letter came that Mother Dear said when she -heard of it--guess what!” - -“I give up.” - -“She said I could ’phone to Jane and tell her to come right down so -that she could tell me how happy she is.” - -“And will she?” - -“Will she! I should just say so! She is on her way now and will be here -in an hour.” - -“Oh!” said Martha Mary; “I didn’t know that so many wonderful things -could happen in one day. Now I want to call the children.” - -Flip blew the horn and across the lawn came all of the queen’s court. - -“I want to know the secret,” said John. - -“Can’t tell,” said Martha Mary. “But it is nice. Someone is coming.” - -“Captain Mick,” shouted Walter. - -“Not at all. It is a girl-person.” - -“Do we know her?” - -“No, but you will and you will like her,” said Flip. “Her name is Jane.” - -“I wish an hour was not so long,” said Martha Mary. - -“Perhaps,” said John, “if you told us a story, Philip, it wouldn’t seem -so long.” - -“Perhaps,” said Flip. Then because it was a birthday and Martha Mary -was queen, he told a queen story with Kings and Knights and Ladies. -This was it: - - - - -CHAPTER IX - - IN WHICH IS TOLD THE STORY OF ALFRED OF THE LOW COUNTRY, AND JANICE, - WHO LOVED THE QUEEN’S PAGE - - -“In the days of the good and splendid King Arthur there was an old -letter-writer named Baudin. He lived in a small garden below the Castle -wall, and the loveliest hollyhocks and jasmine grew about the door of -the cottage. He had everything he desired and that was not a great -deal. His business was to write letters; love letters and business -letters for the Knights and Ladies who had never been to school and -could not write for themselves. His daughter was a very pretty little -sunshiny girl who kept his house in order and cooked his meals. She -sang as she worked and was always happy.” - -“Please, what was her name?” asked Martha Mary. - -“Her name? Why, I have really forgotten.” - -“Was it Jane? I should like it to be Jane.” - -“Jane? Now, perhaps, it was. Or Janice. I think it must have been -Janice in those days. So we will call her that. Janice used to do her -work early in the morning so that she might spend the afternoon sewing -or caring for the garden flowers. Next to her father she loved flowers -more than anything else in this wide, wide world. They were happiness, -just as the song of the birds and the shining of Lady Rumdidoodledum -and the other stars is happiness. Janice was so very happy that she -never wished to have things changed. She wanted to go on forever caring -for her father and living in the cottage by the Castle wall. True, at -times, she thought of the lad who hoped to marry her some day, but he -does not come into the story for a long time. - -“One day, as Janice was sitting under a cypress tree, a handsome Knight -came down the road, mounted on a splendid black horse. The stranger -wore a blue satin jerkin, black knee-breeches, and stockings of blue. -There was gold braid on his suit and a golden tassel dangling on his -hat. From the brim waved a lovely grey-blue plume. Very straight he -rode, and dignified, looking neither to right nor left. As he passed -the cottage Janice looked up and saw that the black horse was very -tired. - -“‘Kind Sir,’ she said, and blushed at her boldness, ‘your horse is worn -with the heat. May I fetch him water?’ - -“The Knight looked down and when he saw lovely Janice he swept his -plumed hat to his breast. - -“‘Lady,’ said he, ‘your kindness well becomes your fairness. If you -will but show me to the well I shall thank you and carry the water -myself.’ - -“Janice curtsied and led him through the ivy-covered gate, bringing a -bucket to the trough for him. When he had filled it and would carry it -out she took it up. - -“‘Good Sir,’ she said, ‘you may spill it and harm your beautiful suit. -I will bear it for you.’ - -“The Knight bowed. ‘Our Good Lady would be annoyed,’ said he, ‘were -I to appear before her in disarray. It were best that I do not soil -myself.’ - -“So Janice took the pail and smiled to herself at the conceit of the -good Knight. While the horse drank the girl rubbed its silky coat and -patted its neck. Then the Knight bowed again and sprang to his saddle. -Janice curtsied and went in to darn her father’s sox. - -“You may think she would be excited at having aided a Knight of King -Arthur’s Round Table, but she was not at all. She thought much of the -splendid black horse but not at all of its conceited master. With him, -however, it was different. When he had ridden away he could not forget -the girl’s beauty and he saw her face wherever he went. He became very -unhappy, then, for he found himself very much in love, and a Knight of -Arthur’s Court could never marry the daughter of a letter-writer. Every -day he rode by the cottage and saw Janice under the trees, sewing or -trimming flowers. He would sweep his hat to his breast and she would -bow without smiling, although often she came out with a pail of water -for the horse. Naturally the more the Knight saw her the more he loved -her, and the more miserable he became. - -“On the birthday of Guinivere, Arthur’s Queen, there was a royal -tournament planned, with fencing and lance bouts and dancing on the oak -lawns. Tents were raised and they flew the Queen’s colors: a pavilion -was built with a canopied box where the Queen sat surrounded by her -Ladies and attendants. All morning there were gaming and May dances. -In the early afternoon the Queen’s Herald blew a blast on his silver -trumpet and announced the Queen’s bout in which all Knights might -compete. The prize was to be a crimson ribbon from Guinivere and the -granting of any request in her power that the winner might make. Again -the Herald blew a blast and out from the tents came the Knights astride -the finest of Arabian and Russian horses. Their lances were under -their arms; their Ladies’ colors on their sleeves. To the center of -the oak lawn they charged where the din of fighting and the crashing -of lances against shields became so uproarious that one could scarcely -hear the cheers of the spectators. For an hour they fought until Alfred -of The Low Country--(that being the name of the Knight who loved -Janice)--and Herbert of The Blue Feather, were left. Again and again -they charged--lance met shield and shield glanced off lance, till -suddenly, Alfred’s horse reared and Knight Alfred slid to the ground. -He sprang up and struck the animal across the haunches with his lance, -so that the horse dashed away across the field. Then Alfred threw down -his lance and drew a dagger, all shiny and sharp. Immediately Knight -Herbert sprang to the ground with his dagger drawn and they fell to -fighting again. - -“Meanwhile Alfred’s horse, freed of his rider, whinnied a moment, then -stampeded toward the further edge of the oak lawn where the villagers -and their wives and daughters were gathered to see the sports. Right -into the center of them he rushed, directly at Janice, who stood -terrified at the side of the old letter-writer. The crowd cried out in -fear when, just as the horse reached and would have trampled Janice to -the ground, a page boy, who had stolen away from his place by Queen -Guinivere, dashed forward, grasped the horse by the mane, and stopped -his rush. Only a moment the animal hesitated, then turned his head and -sprang forward into the field again with the boy clinging to his mane -with all his might. The steed plunged and reared and finally, just as -he was captured by guards who rushed forward, he shook the boy off. -The page lay where he had fallen, his head buried in his arm. Past the -guard and out to him, Janice rushed and sank down and took his wounded -head on her knee. - -“Meanwhile, across the field, the combat had continued as though -nothing else had happened. But King Arthur had seen all and determined -to reward the boy. - -“Thrusting and sparring, Alfred of The Lowland and Herbert of the Blue -Feather fought, till suddenly Alfred’s dagger pierced his opponent’s -side and Herbert fell, bleeding. Alfred was winner of the tournament. - -“To Guinivere he came, flushed and happy, and kneeled before her. He -kissed her hand, offering her, at the same time, his victorious dagger. -She smiled and took the weapon, then pinned to Alfred’s sleeve the red -ribbon she wore at her heart. - -“‘Arise, Sir Conqueror,’ she said. ‘Ask of me what you will and if it -be in my power I shall grant it.’ - -“‘My Lady,’ said Alfred, ‘all things are in your power; the very birds -sing when you smile upon them.’ - -“‘Flatterer,’ said Guinivere. ‘You frighten me, I fear you are going to -ask a very great favor of me.’ - -“‘For me,’ said Alfred, ‘it will be greater than vast estates. For you, -Dear Queen, it will be little more than a spoken word. I ask that you -raise Janice, daughter of Baudin, the letter-writer, to my rank, so -that I may marry her.’ - -“‘Your wish shall be granted,’ said the Queen. ‘You may go to your -love, and tell her my pleasure.’ - -“Across the field, on his black horse, went Alfred, to find Janice on -her knees, bathing and bandaging the page’s head. She rose as Alfred -approached. He bowed proudly and sprang to the ground. Before all the -gathered villagers, he spoke, saying to Baudin, the father: - -“‘Good man, the Queen, knowing the love that is in my heart for your -daughter, has ordained that she be raised to my rank so that I may -make her my wife.’ - -“Old Baudin became so embarrassed that he could hardly speak. - -“‘The honor you do us is great, Good Knight,’ he said. ‘It is very -wonderful tidings, you bring. Janice, my child, what say you?’ - -“‘Verily, we are deeply honored,’ she said. ‘And we thank you and beg -you to ask the forgiveness of my Lady, the Queen, but I do not love -you, Sir Knight; I would ask that you do not demand that I marry you.’ - -“‘Great Saints!’ shouted Alfred. ‘Am I to understand that you refuse a -chance to marry with one of my station and bearing? Strike me, but you -are a proud one and the more to be desired. Sir, what say you of the -girl’s nonsense? Command her to rise up and go to the Queen that she -may be made of high rank and a fitting bride for me!’ - -“‘Sir Knight,’ said old Baudin, now very proud and calm, ‘I am the -father of my child’s happiness, not the keeper of her heart. Her wish -is my wish ever. She will thank our good Queen for her graciousness -and beg to decline the honor.’ - -“‘We shall see,’ said Alfred. ‘Come, I shall lead you to the Queen. -Perhaps her Gracious Self will be able to drive this stupidity out of -your head.’ - -“Janice put her fingers in his and allowed him to lead her to the -Queen’s box. At Guinivere’s feet sat the page, his head bandaged, his -chin in his hands. - -“Janice kneeled and bowed her head. - -“‘Oh, kindest of queens,’ she whispered. ‘I thank you for your favor. -I am honored more than my dreams had ever hoped for. But I beg, Dear -Lady, that you will not demand my acceptance.’ - -“‘I do not understand,’ said Guinivere. - -“Then Janice told her that she did not love the Knight; that she loved -the page who had saved her and who had loved her long and secretly. She -went on: - -“‘Dear Queen, on this, your birthday, when you are trying to make all -the world happy, do not force me to accept the kind offer of this good -Knight. Let me go back to my father’s garden.’ - -“As she spoke, Knight Alfred had become red and furious. He spoke, -finally, saying: - -“‘I take back my request, O Queen. I could never take to wife a hussy -who would bestow her love upon a page. I do not wish her; I ask no -other prize than your red ribbon and your kind thoughts.’ - -“‘Sir,’ said Guinivere, ‘your request shall be granted. And,’ she said, -turning to the page, ‘you, sir. Do you love this girl?’ - -“‘As I love the music of the winds and the birds and your voice,’ said -the page. - -“‘Then,’ said Guinivere, ‘for your bravery you may have her and make -her your wife.’ - -“The page kneeled, first at the feet of the Queen and then before -Janice. She rested her trembling fingers on his shoulders and kissed -him upon the brow. - -“Then arose King Arthur. - -“‘Lad,’ said he, ‘you have pleased me twice to-day: firstly in saving, -secondly in loving this child. Therefore, I shall grant you whatever -you wish. Think well! What does your heart most desire?’ - -“‘Sire,’ said the page, rising and bowing humbly, ‘I am allowed to -serve the fairest queen and the bravest king in the world. I am loved -by the dearest maiden in the kingdom. I have nothing to ask; there is -no more I desire of Life but to live and die for you.’ - -“‘Well spoken,’ said Arthur, the King. Then he turned to Janice. - -“‘I know not which of you is the more fortunate,’ he said. ‘Life should -hold much for you. Go, then, with your husband, and remember that -Arthur ordains that you shall honor, respect, and ever love him, and be -happy, both of you, always.’ - -“And they were!” - - * * * * * - -“Of course they were,” said a strange voice when Flip had finished. “If -they loved each other they couldn’t help but be happy always.” - -The children all jumped up and looked through the trees. There was a -girl standing there; a brown-haired girl with laughing eyes and a jaw -just like a man’s. Martha Mary knew who it was right away. It was Jane. -Even if you weren’t sure you could tell by the color of Flip’s face. -He stood up, all red, and said: - -“Hullo, child,” and shook hands with her, just like a couple of almost -strangers would do. Then he introduced her to the children. - -“Jane, this is John Sherman, by far the most important member of the -family. John, this is Jane. And this, Jane, is Martha Mary, but we will -call her Sister. These are the almost twins: Edward Lee who dips cats -in whitewash, and Walter, who puts new spots on them with blue ink. -This is Liza alias Elizabeth alias Butterfly. And this, if you please, -is Hermit. You know he was really the one who discovered me.” - -Hermit, when he heard his name, got up and yawned, then wagged his tail -and smiled as politely as could be. - -“Please,” said Martha Mary, when they were all introduced. “It’s my -birthday and we should like you to stay and help me celebrate.” - -“But Jane has--er----” Flip started to grumble. - -“Jane has nothing, Young Man,” said Jane. “I know you are all on edges -to show me the proofs of your book and tell me how wonderful you are, -but you will have to wait. I’m going to celebrate.” - -“All right,” said Flip. “Then I’ll go jump in the lake--or eat a snail -or something.” - -It was John who saved the day. “Last one to the stable is it and a -nigger-baby,” he shouted. - -Away rushed all the children, and Jane would have followed, but her -skirts were too tight. So she sat on the haystack next to Flip and when -Martha Mary turned around just once, she saw--but Martha Mary would not -tell us what she saw. - - - - -CHAPTER X - - IN WHICH JANE STAYS LONGER THAN SHE HAD EXPECTED TO AND WE ENTERTAIN - HER. AS USUAL, FLIP TELLS A STORY - - -Everyone was rather anxious to see how Mother Dear would receive Jane. -Mother did not take to strange women as a general thing, but, as Flip -explained later, Jane was hardly a woman, so it made matters easy. -Flip was the only one who was embarrassed. He almost ruined his hat, -twisting it out of shape, as he said: - -“Mrs. Sherman, this is Jane Houghton. I hope you will like her.” - -Mrs. Sherman shook hands with Jane, and the grip of the two women was -like the grip of two men. Jane was not at all ill-at-ease. Then Mrs. -Sherman put her two hands on Jane’s shoulders and suddenly kissed her -on the forehead. - -Walter giggled and turned a handspring. - -And so, instead of taking the afternoon train back, Jane was invited -to stay as the Shermans’ guest until Monday. Of course, Mother Dear -explained that it was because Martha Mary had asked it and it was her -birthday, but I think Mother was romantic and liked to see Jane and -Flip together. You can never tell what these grown-ups are thinking! - -Saturday afternoon, Flip hitched up the do-si-do-cart and in piled -all the children, with Jane and Flip, and they went on the loveliest -picnic they had ever had. Parts of it were a surprise. For example, -they had had no idea that Mother Dear and Father were invited, but when -they reached the Cypress trees near the ocean beach, at sunset, the -first thing they saw was Mother standing near a campfire that Father -had built. There was the most wonderful smell in the air; it was like -fried bacon, and fried bacon it was. There was green corn, too, roasted -in the fire, and chicken cooked on a forked stick, and watermelon and -pancakes and heaps of doughnuts. Everyone ate as much as they could, -and then Father lit his pipe and Mother sat on the ground next to him -and the Children all lay on their stomachs on the sand, with Jane and -Flip, to watch the moon come up over the ocean. Once, when he thought -no one was looking, Flip kissed Jane on the ear, but Edward Lee caught -him, and for punishment Flip had to tell a story. He grumbled and said -it was too nice a night to spoil with his nonsense, but when Jane said: - -“Please, Dear,” he couldn’t help it. - -“This is to be a story of the trees,” said Flip. - -John sniffed. “You always tell about things that are not alive,” he -said. “Father doesn’t. Neither does Captain Mick.” - -“But, John,” said Martha Mary, very much surprised, “the trees are -alive.” - -“They can’t talk.” - -“They could, once,” said Flip. “And they still do talk in their own -language, but of course you cannot understand them.” - -“Can Father?” asked Edward Lee. - -“I don’t think so,” answered Father. - -“Can you, Flip?” - -“No, but I know what they mean to say. Listen, now, and I will try -to finish the story before anyone interrupts again. Elizabeth, stop -sticking things in Hermit’s ear! Now--where was I?” - -“You hadn’t started,” said Martha Mary. - -“All right; then I’ll start with once, years and years ago. It was in a -large forest, way up in the mountains, where there are only wild things -and no men. The trees grow very tall and straight there; the branches -are heavy and the trunks all covered with grey moss, and everything -else is green. The forest, many years ago, was ruled by a lovely -princess. Her name was Shade of the Mountain Lake and she was a large, -lovely, blue crane. The trees just called her ‘Princess,’ because that -was easy to say when the wind hummed in the branches, and ‘Shade of the -Mountain Lake’ was much too long. Princess ruled her tree land for many -years and the wood-folk were glad that they had chosen her, because -she was so wise and graceful and lovely. You see, her soft breast -feathers were colored with the blue of the sky of a Spring morning, -and the grey of her slender neck was taken from the shaded spots near -an old mountain. The green of her eyes once belonged to two splendid -emeralds, and when the emeralds lost their color they became priceless -diamonds. So how could Princess help but be beautiful? - -“She was very proud of her kingdom; of the tall green trees and the -blue-green lake and the very blue sky. All day she would fly over the -hills, smiling on her people, sailing here and there, down and up, -sometimes almost to the sun. One day, when she was very high in the -Heavens, she saw, way off across the valley, a spot of red. That was -a color that was not known in the mountains, so she flew with the -wind, out across her valley and another valley until she came to a -land where men lived. And there, what do you think she saw? Fields and -fields and fields of the loveliest wild flowers, all golden and purple -and pink, and gardens with red, red roses, and sweet-smelling lilacs -climbing over the stone walls, and soft-colored fruit blossoms--there -were more flowers than days in a hundred years. All afternoon she flew -over the gardens, smelling the perfumes and always finding something -new to surprise her. When night came she flew back to her kingdom in -the mountains. But she was very sad, for she had thought her land -the loveliest in the world and now she knew that it had none of the -wonderful flowers that grew in the man’s world. All night she grieved -and in the morning called her council to her--a branch of a pine and -a branch of a redwood and a branch of the single oak that grew at the -foot of the mountain. She told them how she had spent the day and how -very, very much she wished her land to have all the colors and not only -the green in Spring and the brown in Autumn. Then the branch of the -single oak spoke and said: - -“‘Let me help you. The Pine has always been the most plentiful tree in -the mountains and the Redwood has been the tallest. I have been out of -place and able to do but little save giving shade. Now I think I can -help.’ - -“She whispered her idea to Princess, and when Princess heard she was so -pleased that she soared high into the sky and sang to the morning sun. -Then down again she flew, and told the silver stream her secret. And -this is what she did: - -“First she went to the single oak and took from it several fine, green -branches, all covered with fresh leaves. These she carried one at a -time up the side of the hill and laid them side by side on the grass. -Then she called to the sun and he came over the treetops and warmed the -oak leaves with his golden light. When they were all glowing Princess -called to the clouds and asked for just a little rain. Down it came, so -very quietly that not even the sun went away. And so the drops, falling -through the sunshine to the oak leaves, formed a lovely rainbow. Then -the rain stopped, but the rainbow remained, coloring the oak leaves -with blue and red and gold and amber and violet. Princess was so happy, -then, that she could hardly wait to carry the beautiful colored sprays -into the forest to plant them at the foot of the tall trees. All the -wood-folk--the rabbits and the snakes and the silly young bears--came -out to watch her as she worked. When her task was through she called -all her subjects to her and introduced them to the new color she had -brought into the mountains, and she called it Child of The Oak. - -“Child of The Oak grew very much in a short time. She had the form of a -clinging vine; up over the branches of the other trees she crept, just -like a really and truly baby. Her colors were the loveliest you have -ever seen. Just think of leaves that were golden red as the loveliest -poppies and green as the wildest hillside and violet like the softest -field flowers and blue like the morning sky. She was so beautiful that -all the trees grew to love her in a very short time. - -“Then, one day, the most awful thing happened. - -“It was early morning in the month of May. Across the further valley -and right through the Valley of Shade of The Mountain Lake and up the -hillside and into the mountain land, came a whole school of children, -to the place where no man had ever been before. It was very nice at -first. They sang songs about Angels and Fairies and the one that went -like this: - - “I’ll sing you a song of the fields in the Spring - With a chatter of birds in the treetops, - And the poppies and daisies will dance as I sing - And the birdlings will warble and flutter a wing - And the sleepy, fat owl will wake up, the old thing! - As I sing to the birds, the gay happy birds, - The silly young birds in the tree tops. - -“Then they tied ribbons to the tallest pine and took hold of the ends -and danced a May dance, and their pink and white dresses, with their -baby cheeks all flushed, and their golden hair waving, they looked just -like the South Wind. - -“But of course such nice things could never last. Pretty soon one of -the children found a spray of Child of The Oak and plucked it and -carried it to the awfully awesome person who was in charge of the -party. She said it was: - -“‘Remarkably beautiful and most ethereal,’ and, although I haven’t an -idea what that means, I know by the way she said it that it must be -something hateful. Back she sent the children to gather as much as -they could find. They rushed about tearing Child of The Oak up by the -roots and it hurt just as much as though someone were to pull Liza’s -hair. The tall trees all hung their heads so they wouldn’t see Child -of The Oak suffer and the Mother Oak moaned and held out her arms, but -of course no human being could understand her. It was so pitiful, so -unfair, and no one knew the least thing to do. And then, what do you -think? Guess what, Edward Lee! What do you think, Walter? Oh, you never -can guess! - -“Down from the top of the mountain came the North Wind. Princess went -to him, weeping, and, ‘Father Wind,’ she cried, ‘can’t you help Child -of The Oak?’ - -“‘Certainly,’ said North Wind. Down to the May party he swept and blew -deep breaths of the pollen that grows on dryads’ wings all over the -Child of Oak branches. The pollen that grows on dryads’ wings is deadly -poison, you know. So, as soon as the children touched it, they became -ill; they found spots of red on their arms, and their faces became -swollen as though they had mumps. They itched simply miserably, and all -went home sick, and had to be put to bed with salves all over them. And -so, they never dared touch Child of The Oak again, because the North -Wind had put the poison on her to protect her. When the men came to the -mountains they never touched the lovely colored leaves, for they called -them ‘Poison Oak.’ - -“But Princess did not mind, because she knew that the real name was -Child of The Oak and that Child of The Oak was the loveliest child in -all the hill world.” - - - - -CHAPTER XI - - IN WHICH WALTER DOES NOT WANT NINE EIGHTS TO BE SEVENTY-TWO; AND - MARTHA MARY FEELS SO BADLY FOR HIM THAT SHE GOES TO SEEK ADVENTURE. - SHE FINDS IT - - -It all happened because Walter couldn’t learn how many times eight was -seventy-two. The eight tables are hard enough, but when it comes to -dividing by eight even John made mistakes at times. Walter insisted -that eight sevens were seventy-two. Mother Dear said they were not, but -Walter said he knew best. Mother Dear looked sorry and said if Walter -were quite positive he was right, then she supposed he must be, but she -had learned that nine eights were seventy-two. - -“They’re not,” said stubborn Walter. - -“What are they then, Dear?” asked Mother. - -“Don’t know,” said Walter. “But I won’t have them seventy-two.” - -Then Mother Dear almost lost her patience. - -“Very well, Walter,” she said. “But, if you cannot believe your mother, -I hardly think it worth while helping you, so you may leave the room.” - -Walter lost his temper altogether and went out, slamming the door and -kicking his feet. Later, Martha Mary, who felt as badly for him as she -did for Mother Dear, although she knew Mother was right, found him in -the hayloft, with a miserable look in his eyes and a smudge of dirt -where tears had been. - -“Please, Mr. Brother,” she said, “don’t feel badly.” - -“Go away,” said Walter. “I hate you.” - -“Walter,” pleaded Martha Mary, “you shouldn’t. It hurts when you are -that way. Please come play.” - -“Won’t,” said Walter. “Get out of here; I hate you.” - -Really miserable and almost crying herself, Martha Mary crept away to -find the rest of the family. Father was busy writing Things in a large -book. Mother Dear was bathing Liza; John was rowing Edward Lee on the -lake Ocean. - -“Don’t bother me,” he called. “I can’t hear you. I am miles away.” - -More unhappy than before, Martha Mary walked down the gravel path to -the gate. Then she opened it, a thing she rarely did, and went out. -It was rather dusty on the county road, and the wind was blowing, and -it fluffed her hair all about her face. It felt good--the wind always -does. Almost immediately Martha Mary became more cheerful, and as -soon as she became cheerful she had an idea. They always come when -one is happy. She made up her mind to have an adventure; she didn’t -know exactly what it would be, but an adventure she would have. She -had never had a really and truly one all to herself; John had them; so -did Walter and Edward Lee, like whitewashing and inking the cat, or -finding a bird’s nest in the old straw hat in the hayloft. But nothing -had ever really happened to Martha Mary and she didn’t know just how to -begin. She thought for a long time; then a brown squirrel popped up in -the middle of the road, cocked its ears, and scampered into the poppy -field. - -“I’ll follow ‘him,’” decided Martha Mary, “and see what happens. -Perhaps it will be like Alice in Wonderland.” - -Away the two of them went, lickety-split, down a hillside and up -another to the crest and over it. Right there, just on the other -side---- Guess what! There was a group of children, at least a dozen, -all of the boys in blue jumpers and the girls in blue Kate Greenaway -dresses, and they were gathered around one of the boys who was a little -bigger than the others; even bigger than John. He was talking quite -excitedly, and Martha Mary stood, fascinated, watching him and quite -forgot little Mr. Squirrel, who had by this time completely disappeared -up a tree. Finally the big boy saw Martha Mary and took off his hat and -said, “Hullo!” - -“Hullo!” said Martha Mary. - -Again the boy said, “Hullo!” and looked at the tips of his shoes; then -suddenly he smiled a perfectly good smile and said: - -“Perhaps you could tell us?” - -“Please, what?” asked Martha Mary. - -“We are hunting for wild violets and there don’t seem to be any. Do -you know where they grow?” - -Of course Martha Mary knew. There were oodles and oodles of them on the -Sherman Place, just at the edge of the lake Ocean. She thought it would -be lovely to bring all of the children home to pick them and perhaps, -if there was enough, to have tea. - -“Wouldn’t your Mother care?” asked the big boy. “Or are you like us? -Haven’t you one?” - -Martha Mary could hardly believe her ears. “Haven’t any of you -mothers?” she asked. - -“Nope,” said the boy. “Nor fathers, either.” - -“How awful!” said Martha Mary. “Where do you live? Who takes care of -you?” - -“We live at the Charity,” said the boy. “We take care of ourselves, -excepting at meal-time or lessons.” - -“How nice!” said Martha Mary. “Can anyone live there?” - -“Yes,” said the boy, “if you are an orphan. But it’s not nice. No one -takes an interest or anything in you. The only excitement is when -ladies with eyeglasses on sticks come from the Affiliated Charities to -pat you on the head and say, ‘Dear little shaver,’ and make you want to -run away.” - -“And they look to see if your ears are clean,” said one little girl. - -“And ask if you are good and say your prayers,” said another. - -“And of course we say ‘Yes,’” said the big boy, “and then they give us -pennies and tell us to save them and we will be rich when we grow up.” - -“It’s not true,” said Martha Mary. “You always spend them before you -grow up. Things are very expensive! I know!” - -Then they remembered the violets, so down the hills and to the road -they scampered, Martha Mary at the head of the lot (to be exact, there -were six boys and eight girls). Through the gates and up to the house -she took them to introduce them to Mother Dear, who was still feeling -pretty badly at the way Walter had behaved. When she saw Martha Mary -with all her company she dropped her sewing and said: - -“What in the world has the child done?” - -Martha Mary told her as quickly as she could all about their being -orphans and about the violets and the affiliated ladies who gave them -pennies to save. Mother Dear’s eyes grew soft in the way they have and -she kissed Martha Mary and shook hands with the children, no matter how -dirty they were. She told Martha Mary to take them to the violets by -the lake and not let them fall in, for some of them were quite small -and liable to. Martha Mary promised, then called Edward Lee and John -and they brought along Walter, who was now in a sensible frame of mind. -John was inclined to be standoffish until Martha Mary, who knew him -like a book, told him that the biggest little boy liked men better than -women, and then John became quite nice. - -In a little while Martha Mary had learned the names of all the orphans, -and I’ll tell them to you, although you’ll no doubt forget. - -First there was the biggest little boy; he was called “Slats,” because -he was thin. The Home name for him was Thomas Dorne. Then there was -the biggest little girl, Helen Dolittle, and then Reddy Smith and -Sammy O’Reilly and Sue Patience Grey and John Shaw and Margaret -something--her parents had died before she was able to find out -what the last name was--and Pansy and Amy Rebecca Isaacs and Skinny -Dawson and Patrick O’Harahan, and finally the most adorable little -golden-haired girl I have ever seen and her name was awful. It was -Dolcerina Vennicci, but they called her “Piffy.” - -Away went the eighteen children to the edge of the lake, where there -were so many violets under the green leaves that everyone fell to -picking and became too busy to talk. After a while, when hats and arms -and aprons were full of flowers, Martha Mary said: - -“Let’s play.” - -“Play skin the Fox,” said Skinny Dawson. - -“Ich tee goo,” said Piffy. “Ich tee goo” means something like “Oof” or -“Horrid” or “Dirty” or “Creepy” or “Slimy.” So you could tell what she -meant, although I confess it’s hard to find the word that explains it. - -“We’ll play ring around a rosy,” said Amy Rebecca. - -“Sissy game!” said Slats. - -“I have an idea,” said Martha Mary. “We’ll have a story.” - -“Can you tell them?” asked Sue Patience. - -“No--not exactly, but Flip can. Perfectly wonderful ones!” - -“Who is Flip?” they all wanted to know. - -“I’ll show you,” said Martha Mary. Away she rushed and in a moment she -was back, dragging Flip after her and he holding in his hand the pages -of a letter from Jane that he had not had half time enough to read -twice. - -“Hullo, You!” he said to them all, without waiting for an introduction. -You see, Mother Dear had told him that they were there and that he must -be nice. - -“What do you want?” - -“We want a story!” they all shouted. - -Flip turned to Martha Mary and struck a pose like an old-time actor. - -“Alas! Madam,” he said, “my fame precedes me. I fain would accommodate -you, but it wearies me to ever seek new plots.” - -“Don’t be hateful,” said Martha Mary. - -“’Tis well,” said Flip. “What nature of story-do you desire?” - -They all shouted at once: -“Pirates--dolls--fairies--ghosts--love--shipwreck--creepy--bloody----” -until you couldn’t tell who was talking. - -“Wait!” roared Flip. “You can’t expect me to think if you don’t be -quiet. I’m going to tell just the kind of a story I wish and, if you -don’t like it, you can go jump in the lake and drown. But I hope you -won’t, because then I’ll be insulted.” - -This is the story he told them: - - - - -CHAPTER XII - - IN WHICH ANOTHER JOHN AND ANOTHER MARY WANDER FURTHER FROM HOME THAN - THEY EVER HAVE BEEN BEFORE, AND FIND A MARVELOUS BALL OF GLASS, IN - WHICH ONE SEES THE STRANGEST THINGS - - -“Way off in the furthest corner of San Francisco, just where the sun -comes over to light up the bay, there is a hill. Of course there are -many other hills in San Francisco, but none of them quite so important -as Russian Hill. You see, the families who live there are quieter and -happier and more old-fashioned than those in other parts of the city. -I don’t know why; they just are. Right at the steepest part of the -hill, and you can believe me when I tell you the Hill is steep, there -is a Spanish Castle; not a really and truly one, but just exactly as -nice as though it were. No one lived in it, nor had for several years, -excepting an old, white-haired caretaker; a splendid man. He liked -children. That is why John and Mary were allowed in the Castle so much. -John was a rather spoiled, selfish boy who lived in the Mansion next -to the Castle, with his married sister. Mary was his best friend. She -had freckles and you would have liked her. They played nice games up on -the Hill; dozens of fascinating make-believes that you never would have -thought of. They fought pirates--oodles of them--and baked potatoes in -ovens under the rock and did other things just as nice. - -“But, just like other children, they grew tired of these things at -times and wanted something new. So one day, when there were no potatoes -left, Mary suggested going down the Hill. John did not like to; he -hated to go where there were other people. Mary laughed at him and told -him he was a sissy, although he wasn’t really. He became ashamed of her -taunts, so down the Hill they went. First you go down some lovely old -steps cut right in the stone, then you come to another hill so steep -that it is easier to lie down and roll than to walk. They must have -gone at least six blocks when, all at once, Mary said to John: - -“‘We are not in San Francisco any more.’ - -“‘Where are we, then?’ asked John. - -“‘We are in China.’ - -“They were not really; they were in Chinatown, but it looked like -another city, altogether. There were hundreds of Chinamen shuffling -along the street, with long pig-tails and funny, large pipes in their -mouths. They talked in a queer sing-song, the funniest language you -have ever heard. There were Chinese women with gold jewelry and green -jade in their hair, and the most adorable little Chinese babies, who -looked like dolls, dressed in splendid colored silks. Up on a balcony, -where there were a dozen brightly lighted lanterns, a Chinese musician -was playing upon an instrument that sounded like dying pigs and broken -drums and tin whistles. In the shop-windows there were white lilies and -flaming oriental silks and queer toys. Also there were skinned pigs and -skinned chickens and strings of bacon hanging from nails. - -“John and Mary became so interested that they forgot all about going -home. Before they knew it, darkness had fallen, lanterns on the -balconies were lighted, and Chinatown looked like Fairyland. - -“Down the street came a tall, fine-looking Chinaman, in loose, blue -silk trousers and a blue silk coat with black embroidery. He seemed -very much surprised to find two American children in Chinatown at that -time of night. He came to them and said, in even better English than I -use: - -“‘I assume that your small selves are lost. Is it not so?’ - -“‘Not exactly,’ said Mary, who was always the spokesman. ‘You see, we -came for a walk and just sort of stumbled into Fairyland and now we -don’t want to go home.’ - -“‘But your August Parent? Will he not be worried?’ - -“‘Yes,’ said Mary, ‘although John’s sister will not mind.’ - -“‘So,’ said the Chinaman. ‘Well, perhaps, if we were to ’phone to the -August Parent, he might feel relief. Then we could perhaps have tea and -ginger before returning.’ - -“‘That would be lovely,’ said Mary, and, ‘Great,’ said John. - -“So the Chinaman stepped into a store and ’phoned to Mr. Devine, Mary’s -father. - -“‘This is Fong Kee, Doctor of Law of the Hong Kong University,’ he -said. ‘I have just found young John and Mary enjoying the sights of -Stockton Street. I beg that you will have no worriment, as I shall give -them tea and bring them home at an early hour.’ - -“John and Mary could not hear what Mr. Devine said, but it must have -been satisfactory, for Mr. Fong Kee came out of the booth, smiling, and -took a hand of each of the children. - -“‘Now,’ he said, ‘we shall visit my worthy friend, Fong Charles.’ - -“They went down a flight of narrow steps into a dark basement. There -was an odor of punks, like one uses on the Fourth of July, and the -strong breath of China Lilies. In through a latticed door went Fong -Kee, with Mary and John clinging to each other’s hands, just the least -bit frightened. - -“The room they came to was decorated in beautiful golden scrolls of -carved wood. At the end of the room was a queer wooden man, and at his -feet was a bowl from which came a long ribbon of beautiful blue smoke. -On a wooden couch another Chinaman was resting, smoking a small bronze -pipe. - -“Fong Kee spoke to him in Chinese and he arose and shook hands with -John and Mary. Then he struck a metal bell and a Chinese slave girl -appeared. He ordered her to bring tea and ginger. Then he turned to -John. - -“‘I am the old Fong Charles,’ he said. ‘More years I have lived in San -Francisco than there are hairs on an old pig’s tail. I welcome you.’ - -“‘You look pretty old,’ said John. ‘What do you do? Are you a cook?’ - -“‘No,’ smiled Fong Charles. ‘I am a philosopher. I dream--and smoke my -pipes.’ - -“‘I like nice dreams,’ said Mary. - -“‘So!’ said Fong Charles. ‘Then, perhaps, while we await Sanka, my -servant, who is as slow as the race of the turtles, I might tell you a -dream or two.’ - -“He lifted John and Mary to a black wood table, where they sat, -cross-legged, like tailors. Then he put between them a small black -pedestal, on which rested a large, round ball of glass. - -“‘So,’ said Fong Charles. ‘Into the dream glass you must look and the -dreams you shall see.’ - -“John and Mary leaned forward and saw in the glass hundreds of lovely -colors, as though the rainbow had broken in it. Then the colors divided -and circled about like a fairy dance. Softly, oh, so very softly! Fong -Charles began to speak, in his sing-song voice, stopping only to draw -at his pipe and blow a bit of smoke into the curtains above his head. -And as he spoke, little by little, figures became clear in the glass -until John and Mary could see the dreams, just as Fong Charles told -them. There were three dreams he told, all quite short and strange: - - -_The Dream of The Girl’s Gift_ - -“Out of Ta Chung Sz, which is, August One, the Temple of the Bell, came -Tchi Niu, the Bellmaker. - -“‘Those of you who are pure of heart,’ he called, ‘bring to me your -metal mirrors that I may make of them a new bell. Come, my children.’ - -“They came, many of them and gladly, the daughters and the mothers, -bearing in their arms the mirrors that showed their beauty, for it was -honorable to give, and what more worthy gift could be made than a new -bell for the temple? - -“Tcho-Kow came last and slowly. On the mound of mirrors she placed -hers and stood aside. Then, as the torch was carried to the fire -builded to melt the mirrors, her heart grew sad, for the mirror she had -brought was the mirror that had been in her mother’s family and her -grandmother’s family, and the family of many generations before that. -And so she grew cold with grief and cried out. - -“Slowly the flames crept up and slowly the mass of metal melted into a -river of shining gold. But the mirror of Tcho-Kow would not burn. - -“‘How now,’ said Tchi Niu. ‘The gift burns not; you have brought -disgrace on your house, oh, daughter of a Thousand Lilies, by not -giving your heart with your gift. How, then, will you redeem yourself -in the eyes of Dong, the Great Bell?’ - -“Then was Tcho-Kow smitten with a great repentance and she longed for -the goodwill of Dong. So she thought and thus made her gift worthy. As -the flames crept up about the mass of metal, she cast aside her dress -and saying: - -“‘Gladly I give myself as gift,’ she stepped into the flames and -disappeared. Then did the flames burn joyfully and the mirror of -Tcho-Kow melted with the others and Dong was appeased. - -“Now hangs the bell in Ta Chung Sz, and when it is rung to call its -song to the world: - -“‘Ko-gnai, Ko-gnai, Ko-gnai,’ it calls, and thus renders thanks to -Tcho-Kow for her gift.” - - -_The Dream of Hoa-Tchao_ - -“Kiang-Kow-Jin, who dwelled in the body of a stork in the Pearl River, -was the God of Children. He ruled for a million years and was beloved -by all the race of River Men. He ruled well and happily and knew no -worry. Came a year, then, when the Children of the River grew few and -Kiang-Kow-Jin grieved. So to him he called Chung Li, the girl child, -and said to her: - -“‘I grieve because your companions are few. What then, Daughter of -Wisdom, am I to do?’ - -“Chung Li knew all things. - -“‘Go to Ta Chung Sz, The Temple of the Bell, and pray,’ she said, ‘that -many flowers shall grow.’ - -“To Ta Chung Sz went Kiang-Kow-Jin and prayed, and when he came out -of the Temple all the fields were glad with myriad wondrous colored -flowers. - -“‘It is Hoa-Tchao, the Birthday of A Hundred Flowers,’ he said. Then he -sought his home and slept. - -“When he had slept and awakened he came again to the fields. There -played Chung Li with many new children. And so Kiang-Kow-Jin learned -that children are flowers.” - - -_The Dream of Bo_ - -“Bo is the God of The River Fish. His home is of glass and seaweed. -Yearly came the River Men to make gifts to Bo, for Bo was of great -greed. One year, with the other Men of The River, came Fong Soy, the -silk merchant. - -“‘Bountiful Bo,’ said he, ‘this year I have no gift. The rains have -been few and I have sold no silks. I have no wealth or fruits to bring -to you. So, that you will bear well with me, I have brought that which -I treasure more than Life itself.’ - -“He opened the folds of his dress and out stepped Fong Sing, his oldest -son. Fong Sing, garbed in red, stepped into the waters and disappeared. -Then, though parted from his dearest possession, Fong Soy returned to -his home and learned that his wife had given him two sons and they were -visaged as Bo, the God of The River.” - - * * * * * - -“Slowly the forms in the crystal ball disappeared and Fong Charles -stopped speaking. John and Mary shook themselves as though they had -been sleeping. Down from the black table Fong Kee lifted them, and -there, on a small stand, was very black tea in lovely transparent -cups. Mary tasted it, but it was bitter, so she did not drink. Then -Sanka, the slave girl, brought dishes with cakes and candied gingers -and strange fruits and almonds. Fong Charles filled the children’s -pockets, and then Fong Kee led them away. Slowly they climbed their -Hill and to the door of the Mansion. There stood John’s sister and -Mary’s Father to welcome them, and you may believe they were relieved -when the children appeared. They shook hands with Fong Kee and made him -promise that he would come again to the Hill to visit them and perhaps, -some time, take them again to Fong Charles to look in the round glass -again.” - -“Gee, that was a queer story,” said Slats, when Flip had finished. - -“Yes,” said Piffy. “It made me sleepy.” - -Martha Mary was afraid that the children would hurt Flip’s feelings if -they said more, so she raced them up the lawn to the house, and there -on the veranda Mother Dear had placed pitchers of lemonade and enough -cake for six times eighteen children. And so they ate till they could -eat no more and then, with their wild violets in their arms, went back -to the Charity, with Martha Mary’s promise that she would come to play -with them whenever Mother Dear gave her permission. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - - IN WHICH FLIP USES NEEDLESSLY LONG WORDS, BUT, TO WIN OUR GOOD-WILL - AGAIN, HE TELLS A REAL OLD-FASHIONED FAIRY TALE - - -For a perfectly good story-teller Flip had some rather queer ideas. -He didn’t believe in fairy tales: that is, the kind that told about -witches and Godmothers and Princes and such. He said he could not -explain just why--it had something to do with inefficient education. -Of course we do not know what “inefficient education” is, but Father -and Mother Dear know, so it must be all right. Nevertheless, everyone -knows that real fairy tales are nice even if they are not efficient -education, so one night, about an hour before bedtime, when the -children were all in the living-room before the fire, Martha Mary -asked if, please, Flip would tell one. Flip was in a particularly -good humor; there had been a thickish letter from someone during the -day, and of course the someone was Jane. So he agreed. Only he was -rather annoying; he started by using needlessly long words that no one -understood. He said they would have to “create the right atmosphere.” -John said he would, although he didn’t know what it meant. But Flip -didn’t alone. He put out all the lights so that there was only the -log fire to keep people from bumping. The flames really looked like a -witch’s fire, only there were no witches in the story. Then he heaped -cushions on the floor for Martha Mary to sit on; Flip had been very -polite to Martha Mary since Jane’s visit. Walter and Edward Lee lay on -their stomachs on a rug. Liza was the only one who was not there. Flip -piled some lovely-smelling pine cones on the fire, which sputtered and -flamed like a blacksmith’s forge, only didn’t smell at all the same. - -“Once, in the days before Mother Dear was born, or Mother Dear’s -Grandmother, or her Grandmother’s Great Grandmother’s Great -Grandmother, which was many years ago,” said Flip, although everyone -knew that, “there lived a King whose lands were so great that it took -the birds a whole month to fly across them. He was the richest king -who lived in the days of the fairies. His chests were of the finest -gold, lined with purple satin, and in them were so many beautiful -emeralds and rubies that it would hurt your eyes to look at them. In -his garden grew the rarest of flowers; roses that had been brought -from England and yellowish brown and purple orchids from Brazil; iris, -lilac, cherry blossoms, and St. Joseph’s lilies were there, too, from -all the four corners of the earth. In his stables there were Arabian -horses and splendid dogs: deerhounds and greyhounds, and had there been -St. Bernards in those days, he no doubt would have had some of them, -too. In the Palace there were wonderful ancestral paintings, beautiful -furniture, table service of pure gold, and glass of the rarest cut. -Best of all, there was his very dear Queen Wife and the little prince -who would be King when he grew up. It was the sunniest of days when the -prince came. The Queen Mother had longed for a son and heir for a very -long time. She dreamed one night that when the King had grown to love -her very much she would be given a son; you know, there can only be -children where there is love. The dream made her more pure and lovely -than ever; her thoughts and her ways so delighted the King that he -learned to love her more than he thought a mortal could love. And so, -just as the rosebush grows until it is lovely and old and wise enough -to be a mother, and then the seed develops in it under the petals and -finally wins strength and goes away on the breeze to take root for -itself and become a rose child, so the seed was born within the Mother -Queen. While it was gaining strength within her, she kept her thought -cheerful and clean, so that when her child came he would be cheerful -and clean always. Then came the sunniest of days; just the day for a -Prince’s birth, and early in the morning the King was allowed to come -to his wife’s room and there, beside her, on a soft little cushion, was -his son, the Prince. - -“You can well believe that the King was filled with gladness. He went -to the balcony of the Palace with the tiny baby in his arm and held it -up so that all the subjects could see it. They cheered and the bronze -church bells rang and there was gladness throughout the kingdom. - -“From the wisest of the courtiers, guardians were chosen for the -Prince. There was the chief astrologer to teach him the knowledge that -was in books. The grey-haired old Lord of The Park taught him the -beauty of flowers and the song of the bird, and the Master of The Whip -showed him the correct way to trot a horse and the manner in which a -King’s son should hold his sword. So, surrounded by wealth and the -dearest of parents and the wisest of teachers, Prince Winfred grew -strong and wise. At the time of my story he was about ten years old, -the finest young prince you have ever seen, only of course you have -never seen a prince. - -“You would think that, with all his wealth and splendor, he would be -perfectly happy, but he wasn’t. You see, one day he was riding down -the Park road on his white horse and he saw through the Castle gates a -farmer’s boy pass by on a burro. It was a perfectly good, young grey -burro with a collar of wild flowers and tinkling bells hanging from -it. As soon as Winfred saw it he knew that he did not have everything -in the world. He made up his mind that he wanted a burro very much. He -told his wish to old Esau, the astrologer, but Esau raised his hands -in horror and said it would be disgraceful and undignified for His -Grace to ride a burro. He would speak to the Master of The Whip, he -said, and order new horses. That was not what the Prince wished for; -he had plenty of horses already. He did not know just why he wanted -a burro; personally, I think I can guess. There was something simple -and modest in the small creature that would have been a welcome change -from the show and pomp of the Castle. So Winfred went to the Lord of -The Park and told him his desire; that proud official sneered rather -disrespectfully and said: - -“‘Perhaps Your Highness desires a goat, too, to milk when you tire of -the burro.’ - -“Winfred almost lost his temper, but he remembered that Princes had to -be dignified, so he went to his father, the King, and in a most proper -fashion, said: - -“‘Your Majesty, I have a request to make.’ - -“It pleased the King to be asked favors by his son, and so he smiled -and demanded what it might be. - -“‘If it please you, Sire,’ said Winfred, ‘I would like a burro.’ - -“‘A burro?’ said the King. ‘What will you do with a burro?’ - -“‘Ride him,’ said Winfred. - -“At first the King laughed at the idea of seeing his son and heir -astride a donkey, but when he found that the boy was serious he went -into a rage and Winfred crept away, miserable and frightened. Out into -the Park he went and lay down under a large oak, where he wept in a -most unprincely manner. He wept until the tears were smeared all over -his silk collar and ran down his neck. You should have seen him; one -would never have guessed that it was a prince sprawled there, for all -the world like a badly trained baby. He really was unhappy, though, so -you could not blame him altogether. - -“He cried and cried until he heard a rustling above him in the tree. -He looked up, and perched on a branch just above his head was a -small person, not a great deal larger than a pocket-knife. It was a -girl-person, dressed in bright green, with the tiniest of green hats on -her bit of sunny hair. She looked down at Winfred and frowned. - -“‘What do you want?’ demanded Winfred. - -“‘Stop crying,’ said the girl-person. - -“‘You are disrespectful,’ said Winfred. ‘I am the Prince.’ - -“‘I don’t care who you are,’ said the girl-person. ‘I wish you would -stop crying.’ - -“Winfred was so surprised at her lack of respect that he forgot to cry -for a moment, but he soon began again. - -“‘Stop it, I say,’ said the little thing. ‘Stop it! I hate you when you -do that.’ - -“Winfred cried on. - -“Then the girl-person commenced to coax. ‘Please,’ she said, ‘stop and -I will give you any wish you ask of me.’ - -“‘Why should I stop?’ asked Winfred. ‘And who are you that you can -grant wishes to a prince?’ - -“‘You should stop,’ said the girl-person, ‘because I hate tears, and I -can grant wishes, because I am a fairy.’ - -“‘That is very nice,’ said Winfred. ‘I’ve always wished to meet a -fairy. Are they all like you?’ - -“‘Silly,’ said the fairy. ‘Of course not. I am the laughter fairy; I go -about the world collecting children’s smiles and giving them to solemn -grown-ups. I’m much nicer than most of the fairies; I think I am the -nicest fairy there ever was.’ - -“‘You conceited creature,’ said Winfred. ‘You are not at all nice.’ - -“The fairy laughed and reached down a tiny foot and kicked Winfred in -the nose. - -“‘Don’t be stupid,’ she said. ‘I didn’t really mean that. There are -other fairies as nice--almost--as I am. And I’m not a creature and I -wish you wouldn’t call me one. I’m a fairy and my name is--guess what?’ - -“‘Christine,’ guessed Winfred. - -“‘How silly! Christine is not a fairy name at all. Christines are -always fat and good cooks. My name is Merrylip. Do you like it?’ - -“‘Pretty well,’ said Winfred. ‘What does it mean?’ - -“‘Nothing. It’s just a name, and names never mean anything.’ - -“‘Oh!’ said Winfred. - -“All at once Merrylip commenced to laugh; laughed so hard that her -little foot got tangled in a spiderweb and she almost ruined the web -getting loose. - -“‘Stop it,’ said Winfred. ‘I can’t see anything funny.’ - -“‘You are funny,’ said Merrylip. - -“‘Why?’ demanded Winfred, and showed signs of remembering that he was -the King’s son and entitled to respect. - -“‘Because,’ said Merrylip. - -“‘Because what?’ - -“‘Because I asked you to stop crying and I talked to you a little and -you had to stop.’ - -“‘Didn’t. I stopped because you said you would grant me a wish.’ - -“‘I forgot,’ said Merrylip. ‘What do you want?’ - -“In a flash Winfred remembered what he wanted more than anything else -in the world. - -“‘Please--a burro,’ he said. - -“‘A burro?’ said Merrylip, much surprised. ‘Why in the world do you -waste a good wish on a burro? There are much nicer things than that to -ask for. Wish, why don’t you, for heaps of money, and then you can buy -anything!’ - -“‘I have plenty of money,’ said Winfred. ‘And all the treasures I want. -But a burro is different. You can’t just buy them; you have to be born -not a prince to have one. I wish I was a train-engineer or a policeman -or a farmhand. A prince has so many duties that it is tiresome. When I -am King I shall have a whole stable full of burros.’ - -“‘Then you won’t enjoy them at all,’ said Merrylip. She was really wise -for such a small fairy. ‘You’ll get tired of them. People always do -when they have finally got what they wanted very much.’ - -“‘I wouldn’t,’ said Winfred. ‘I am different.’ - -“‘I bet you,’ said Merrylip. - -“‘Bet what?’ - -“‘Bet I will show you something nicer than a burro; even nicer than two -burros. You’ll be perfectly happy for two hours--then you’ll want to -be a prince again and forget everything else.’ - -“‘You just say that because you are a girl,’ said Winfred. ‘Girls never -understand boys.’ - -“‘I’ll prove it,’ said Merrylip. ‘Come under my cape.’ - -“‘I can’t,’ said Winfred. ‘I’m too big.’ - -“‘That is easy,’ said Merrylip. ‘You must kiss me on my ear, then see -what happens.’ - -“‘Kisses are horrid,’ said Winfred. Still he was not going to take -any chances of not having his wish, so he reached up and just put the -smallest kind of a kiss on Merrylip’s ear. It tasted like marshmallows. -As soon as he touched her, Winfred began to grow small. You have never -seen a boy as small as he became--about so big. Then he climbed up and -drew Merrylip’s cape over him and away they went. Up over the very -tops of the trees, out across the Castle wall, down into the valley, -pop over a stream, high again so as not to bump into a fat old oak, -and--before you knew it--they were right above the city. Far below them -were the people, walking about, and they didn’t, any of them, look -larger than Merrylip. - -“‘Now,’ said Merrylip. ‘Be ready!’ - -“Down they swooped right to the middle of the street, where a whole -dozen children were playing London Bridges. They were rather dirty -children; their clothes were not at all nice and their hair was mussed. -As soon as the Prince’s feet touched the cobblestones, he became his -natural size. Merrylip disappeared altogether, but Winfred heard her -buzzing about his ear, telling him what to do. - -“You can imagine how surprised all the children were when they found -that a strange boy had popped up out of nowhere. They gathered around -him and shouted, ‘Who are you?’ - -“Winfred was going to say, ‘The King’s Son,’ but Merrylip whispered in -his ear, so he just said, ‘Winfred.’ - -“The children didn’t care very much who he was, after all. You see, -Merrylip had touched his clothes with her lavender stick and they had -become old and dirty just like those of the others. They decided that -they would start another game: Rum-ba-loo-pum-ba-loo. The oldest of -them counted out loud: - -“‘Eny, meny, miny, mo. Catch a fairy by the toe. If he hollers let -him go. Fairy, meny, miny, mo. O-U-T spells out, with the Old Mother -Witch’s hat turned in--side--out.’ And Winfred was out. - -“‘But I don’t know how to play,’ said Winfred. - -“‘It’s perfectly easy!’ they shouted. ‘You know, the one who is out is -It.’ - -“‘How can you be It if you are Out?’ asked Winfred. - -“They couldn’t explain, but that was the way it was played. The one who -was Out was It, and he or she was called Mrs. Rumbaloopumbaloo. She had -to be the old witch and live on a stump of a tree. That was all the -home she had. Then the children came up and said: - -“‘Mother Rumbaloopumbaloo, what are you thinking of?’ - -“Rumbaloopumbaloo would say the first letter of the word. If it -was ice cream, she would say ‘I’; if it was music, she would say -‘M,’ and so on. Then, if one of the children guessed right, Mother -Rumbaloopumbaloo would chase them all and the one who was caught was It. - -“Up to Winfred came the children and said: - -“‘Mother Rumbaloopumbaloo, what are you thinking of?’ - -“‘It begins with B,’ said Winfred. - -“‘Books,’ said one. - -“‘Nope.’ - -“‘Bells?’ - -“‘Nope.’ - -“‘Beans?’ - -“‘No.’ - -“Then a little girl, whom no one had noticed before, said: - -“‘I know. It’s a burro.’ - -“‘Uhu!’ shouted Winfred, and chased them down the street. He caught the -little girl who had guessed rightly and whispered to her: - -“‘How did you know?’ - -“‘Silly, silly,’ said the girl, for it was Merrylip, grown big. - -“They played for a very long time, and Winfred was never so happy -before. - -“‘Isn’t this nicer than a burro?’ asked Merrylip, and Winfred said: - -“‘A thousand times nicer.’ - -“After a while they all were tired and didn’t think the game was fun -any more, so they took up their hats and started for home. - -“‘You can come home with me for lunch if you want,’ said one of the -boys to Winfred. Winfred whispered to Merrylip, and she said he might, -so they went. Only Merrylip made herself small again and hid in the -Prince’s pocket. They came to a small hut, and the boy, whose name -was Michael, rushed in with Winfred after him. They threw their hats -on a chair and shouted, and in came a woman, all fat and grey, with a -gingham apron. Michael jumped into her arms and shouted: ‘Mother, I’ve -brought a boy to lunch. His name is Winfred.’ - -“The fat Mother kissed Winfred; then they sat down in the kitchen and -had oodles of beans and black bread. - -“‘Isn’t this nicer than burros?’ whispered Merrylip. - -“‘A thousand times nicer,’ whispered Winfred. - -“‘And nicer than dinner at home with servants all about?’ - -“‘A thousand times nicer.’ - -“When they couldn’t eat any more, the old Mother went to sleep in her -chair, and Winfred said good-by to Michael and went out. - -“‘Where now?’ he asked Merrylip. - -“‘Now the best of all,’ she answered. - -“Down the road they went to a large field, where a grey burro was -eating grass. - -“‘Get on,’ said Merrylip. Winfred patted the burro on the nose, then -climbed up. Away they went, much faster than burros usually travel, -rushing across the fields till the wind hummed about Winfred’s ears -like music. They galloped up across the hills and down into new grass -valleys that Winfred had never seen before. - -“‘Isn’t this nice?’ shouted Merrylip. - -“‘There is nothing nicer in the world!’ Winfred shouted back. - -“‘Silly,’ said Merrylip. - -“On and on they rode until Winfred grew tired. - -“‘Please,’ he said, ‘I would like to stop, now.’ - -“Immediately the burro disappeared and Winfred was standing under a -tree, with Merrylip next to him. - -“‘Where do you want to go now?’ she asked. - -“‘I’m hungry,’ said Winfred. - -“‘Shall we go to the old Mother’s and have more beans?’ - -“‘I’d rather have fried chicken and strawberries,’ said Winfred. - -“‘But the old Mother only eats beans.’ - -“‘I can eat at home,’ said Winfred. - -“‘I’m tired of burros.’ - -“‘Don’t you want to go back and play with the children?’ - -“‘No, they were dirty and disrespectful.’ - -“‘You are horrid,’ said Merrylip. ‘But I knew you would be this way.’ - -“She thought a moment, frowning the tiniest, most adorable frown. - -“Then, ‘I hate boys,’ she said, ‘especially selfish ones. I am going to -punish you for growing tired so quickly of the things you wanted more -than anything else in the world.’ - -“All at once there came a rush of wind, and Winfred was alone, and, to -his horror, as tiny as a string bean. - -“‘Merrylip!’ he called. ‘Don’t leave me alone! I am frightened.’ - -“But there was no answer. - -“Again he called: ‘I can’t go home if you don’t come! My feet are so -small and my legs so tiny that I never would get there!’ - -“Still there was no answer. - -“So how do you think he got home?” - -None of the children could guess. - -“Well,” said Flip, “it is nine o’clock and you all ought to be in bed. -So I’m not going to tell you another word, and there will be a second -chapter to-morrow night.” - -“Please, please!” the children all shouted. “We want to know now.” - -“Not a word,” said Flip. - -Then suddenly Walter sprang on to Flip’s stomach and Edward Lee sat on -his face and Walter shouted for help. John got a rope, and with the -aid of Martha Mary they tied Flip to the leg of the library table. The -noise was something terrific. In rushed Mother Dear and Father. - -“Here, here!” said Father. “What is the noise about?” - -“Please,” said Martha Mary, “Walter is a hero and Flip is a villain.” - -Then Mother Dear laughed, and when Mother laughs Father always laughs, -too. It really is quite funny to see Mother laugh. She is becoming just -the least bit stout. Well, when Father laughed, the children jumped on -him, too, and tied him to another leg of the table. Father tried to -look scandalized, but you could see a laugh lurking out of the corner -of his mouth. - -Said he, “I consider this very undignified.” - -“No,” said Walter, “it is jail. You have to give bail before you can -get out.” - -“And may I ask how much the bail is?” asked Father, digging his hand -into his money pocket. - -“It’s not that kind of a bail,” said Edward Lee. “Mother Dear, what -shall the bail be?” - -Mother Dear had a splendid idea. “We’ll punish Father,” she said, “by -making Flip sing, and punish Flip by making Father sing.” - -Father did not want to, but the children would not let him go, so he -sang in an awful, awful voice: - - “There once was a silly old whale - Who drowned himself in a pail. - Amongst folks it is said - There was room for his head, - But not the least bit for his tail.” - -“Oh, oh!” moaned Flip. “Spare me, spare me!” - -So they spared him, but made him sing to torture Father. Then it was -the most surprising thing. He sang in the softest, nicest voice, -a voice that just seemed to fit in with the firelight and the -“atmosphere”: - - “Way up above the blackest trees that tease the sky at night - A million young star children dance a merry, fairy dance. - The fat old moon comes through the clouds and giggles with delight - To see the myriad youngsters as they skip and hop and prance. - Then, when the night is growing old and skies are fading grey - A mother star comes softly out a lullaby to hum. - She warns the dancing children of the coming of the day, - For a very careful Mother is Mrs. Rumdidoodledum.” - -Then the children looked out of the window and, sure enough, Lady -Rumdidoodledum was just appearing, big and bright, above the pine trees. - -“Flip,” coaxed Martha Mary, “don’t you think you could tell us just a -bit of how Winfred got home?” - -“To-morrow night,” said Flip, and so everyone said good night and went -to bed. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - - IN WHICH WINFRED IS GIVEN THE MOST WONDERFUL WISH IN THE WORLD, AND I - ADVISE YOU ALL TO READ IT AND LEARN WHAT IT IS, SO THAT IF, SOME DAY - WHEN YOU ARE LEAST EXPECTING IT, A FAIRY COMES AND OFFERS YOU A - WISH, YOU WILL KNOW FOR WHAT TO ASK - - -The following day came a surprise for the children. While they were at -their lessons Mother Dear constantly looked at her watch and then gazed -out of the window. Martha Mary was sure something was going to happen, -but she could not for a moment imagine what it was to be. Finally -Mother Dear could keep the secret no longer. - -“Babes,” she said, “you may all put away your books, and then I have -something to tell you.” - -“Is it nice?” asked Edward Lee. - -“Yes--and no,” said Mother. “I want you to be happy about it and be -nice to Flip. You see----” - -Martha Mary’s lips began to tremble. She came to Mother and hid her -face in her lap so that the boys could not see her eyes. Mother Dear -smoothed the long curls that fell over Martha Mary’s shoulders and -patted her cheeks, just as you would a baby’s. The boys did not know -what to think. - -Finally Martha Mary looked up and smiled the most unhappy little smile -imaginable, because it was hard to make-believe. - -“I know,” she said. “I just knew it had to happen.” - -“What, Dear?” asked Mother. - -“He is going away; I am sure he is.” - -Mother Dear’s eyes were all watery. “Yes,” she said, “but you must not -be selfish. Flip is going to be very, very happy.” - -“I suppose it is the Jane-person,” grunted John. - -Mother Dear frowned a little and then smiled a perfectly good smile. - -“It is the Jane-person,” she said, “and I am happy as happy can be. You -see, Flip has received a great deal of money for his book and so the -publisher wants him to come to New York to discuss the work he is to do -from now on. And so Flip is going--going in a few weeks, but first he -is going to the City and he and Jane are to be married, and John and -Martha Mary are going with Father and myself to the wedding. So, you -see, it is to be nice, after all.” - -“And,” said Liza, “isn’t my Flip ever, ever going to come back no more?” - -“Certainly, Butterfly! In much less than a year he will return.” - -“And live here?” - -Mother smiled. “I’m afraid not. But he is to have a lovely cottage just -a short distance down the road and---- Ssh! Flip is coming. I want you -to be very nice to him and not say anything about what I have told you.” - -Flip came in with a perfectly happy smile. Immediately he saw that -something was wrong. The children were always more noisy when he came. -But he looked at Mother Dear and she nodded, so he pretended to notice -nothing. - -“Well, I’m here,” he said. “Supposing we find out now what happened to -Winfred.” - -“Yes!” the children shouted, forgetting for the moment that it might be -the last story he would tell them in a long time. (Personally, I know -that it wasn’t.) - -“Well,” said Flip (he always said “Well” when he started to speak), -“I’ll tell you, and please, Martha Mary, will you sit on my knee just -this once while I tell it?” - -Martha Mary came and climbed to his knee just like a baby and hid her -face in his big coat, because she was afraid of crying. Then Flip -coughed to clear his throat and told the second chapter of Winfred’s -story: - -“Now, let me see! Winfred was standing in the middle of the field, -alone, and he was no larger than a string bean. Every time a small -breeze came along it picked him up, just like a leaf, and carried him -to another part of the field. That was rather good fun at first, but -after a while it was unpleasant to have to fly whether you would or -not. So Winfred crept under a wild rosebush and hid in the leaves, -where he could think without being disturbed. But thinking did not do -any good, for that would not make him large again. He sat with his -tiny face in his hands and frowned. Then the sky grew dark and it was -night. Lady Rumdidoodledum and thousands of star children came into the -sky and the moon appeared like the largest gold plate you have ever -seen. Soon voices were heard in the field--voices of people calling -and shouting, ‘Prince Winfred!’ They were the guards seeking the lost -boy. They tramped here and there and everywhere and could not hear when -Winfred answered them, for his voice was as small as his body. Once a -guard came along, swinging a blue lantern, and he almost stepped on -Winfred. Finally they said he could not be in that field, so they went -ahead, the men shouting and blowing trumpets, and the women calling and -moaning. Last of all came the Queen Mother. She did not speak or cry, -but walked with her head bowed and tears in her eyes. Winfred held out -his arms and called, ‘Mother Dearest!’ but she could not see or hear -him. And so she passed out of sight with the others. Then Winfred crept -out from the wild rosebush and commenced to climb the hill. It was a -hard climb for his short legs and he was very much out of breath when -he reached the top. He rested a moment and then looked down. Far below -him he saw the ocean, grey and cold, and very great, reaching all the -way to the shores of Japan. Along the beach the huge waves splashed -like white horses. The winds came skipping across the waters, mussing -them in all directions. Winfred gasped, for he had never seen the ocean -before. Then, suddenly, he remembered--(and this is true, I assure you) -the first time you see or do anything, such as eating the first grape -of the season, or seeing the first firefly, or anything like that, if -you make a wish it is sure to come true. So Winfred reached out his -arms to the sea and whispered: - - “‘Oh, ocean blue, oh, ocean grey, - I’ve never seen you before to-day. - Grant to me, oh, grant, I pray, - The wish I wish to you to-day.’ - -“Out of the wildest of the waves skipped a tiny veil of blue, waving -and swaying across the sky like a bit of smoke. Straight to Winfred -it came and fluttered to his feet. Then he saw that it was a sprite, -a tiny blue one, no larger than himself. The water sprite was dressed -like a Queen’s page, all golden and blue, and he carried the smallest -imaginable trumpet in his hand. He took off his hat and bowed. - -“‘Prince Winfred,’ he said, ‘I have come from the salty sea with a -message for you.’ - -“‘I saw you coming,’ said Winfred. ‘I should think you would lose your -breath when you travel through the water.’ - -“‘One does,’ said the sprite, ‘if one keeps one’s mouth open. But I -breathe through my ears. Why don’t you try it?’ - -“Winfred tried, but he couldn’t. - -“‘Please,’ he said, ‘what is your message?’ - -“‘I am Lovelight, the messenger of King Neptune who rules the ocean,’ -said the sprite. ‘King Neptune’ (he said ‘King’ like ‘kink’) ‘heard -your wish and he says that he will grant it, because he likes to have -people believe in him. What will you wish?’ - -“‘I wish----’ said Winfred. - -“‘Wait!’ said Lovelight. ‘Don’t be silly and wish for something that -is not worth while. And, for Goodness’ Sake, don’t wish for a burro!’ - -“‘How did you know about that?’ asked Winfred. - -“‘Why, as soon as Merrylip left you she came straight to the sea to -tell all the waves and collect laughs from them. When they heard that a -King’s Son had asked for a burro, they laughed so hard that the sailors -all thought a storm was coming up.’ - -“‘I could choke Merrylip,’ said Winfred, although he laughed himself. -‘But,’ said he, ‘I do not know how to make a worth-while wish.’ - -“Lovelight came close and put his lips to Winfred’s ear. - -“‘There is one wish,’ he said, ‘that is more wonderful than anything -else in the world. Shall I tell it to you?’ - -“‘Please do!’ - -“‘Well, wish that any wish you make at any time, as long as it is -sensible, will come true. You see, that is really only one wish.’ - -“‘And will it come true?’ - -“‘Certainly.’ - -“So again Winfred looked out to the sea and said: - - “‘Oh, ocean blue, oh, ocean grey, - I’ve never seen you before to-day. - Grant to me, oh, grant, I pray, - The wish I wish to you to-day!’ - -“Then he added: ‘I wish that any wish I make at any time will come true -as long as it is sensible.’ - -“When he stopped, a golden light ran across the waters. - -“‘You see,’ said Lovelight, ‘Neptune is smiling. He says he will grant -your wish. Try once!’ - -“‘All right,’ said Winfred. ‘I wish that Merrylip would come back.’ - -“Almost immediately Merrylip came skipping through the grass, with her -golden hair waving in the moonlight. Winfred put his arms about her and -kissed her on the nose. ‘Please,’ he said, ‘I wish, Merrylip, that you -would not think me hateful any more.’ - -“‘Smile, Silly!’ said Merrylip. ‘And I won’t.’ - -“So Winfred smiled and that part of his trouble was ended. - -“‘Now,’ said Lovelight, ‘I must return to King Neptune.’ - -“‘I wish you a pleasant journey back,’ said Winfred. - -“‘Thanks,’ said Lovelight, and skipped into the sky. - -“‘I wish you would give the King my regards,’ Winfred called after -him, and Lovelight had a pleasant journey and gave the King Winfred’s -regards as soon as he arrived. - -“‘Now,’ said Merrylip, ‘I don’t suppose you will have any more to do -with me.’ - -“‘But I will,’ said Winfred. ‘I don’t suppose you will have any more to -do with me.’ - -“He didn’t really mean it to be a wish, although he wanted it very -much, but he forgot that every time he said ‘I wish’ it would come -true. So Merrylip stayed and that is why, even when he grew up and was -King, Winfred always smiled. - -“‘Next on the programme is Home,’ said Winfred. ‘I wish I was my -regular size and was sitting on Mother’s lap and she was singing to -me, and Merrylip was hiding in my pocket, and things were just as -though I had never gone away at all.’ - -“Almost before he had finished the very long sentence, it came true. -Winfred found himself on his Mother’s knee (although he was a pretty -big boy to be held that way) and she was pressing her lips on his hair -and humming him a Queen Song. In his pocket slept Merrylip and no one -knew it excepting Winfred, because she was so tiny that, even when she -sneezed, people could not hear her. And so everything came out well, -after all, you see. - -“Later, Winfred grew to be King, and with his wonderful wish made his -people the happiest on earth, for when anything sensible had to be -arranged he needed but to wish and it would come true. As a matter of -fact, it was fortunate that Merrylip was always there, for often he -thought of silly wishes and then Merrylip would pinch his ear and he -would not make them. And this is all.” - -“Well, it is a relief to know that he got home all right,” said John. -John was forming the habit of using long words. It would have been just -as easy for him to say “glad” as “relief.” - -Then Martha Mary climbed off Flip’s knee, and he held her hands and she -leaned forward and whispered in his ear: - -“I’m sorry as sorry can be, Flip Dear, that you are going away, but I -am happy because you and Jane will be happy.” - -Flip smiled and gazed out of the window, and then took Martha Mary into -his arms and kissed her, and the boys all shouted, and Martha Mary -rushed from the room, all red and happy. - -And so Flip told the last but one of his stories before he went to New -York, and, as you shall see, the last one I had nothing to do with. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - - IN WHICH, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME, I DO NOT TALK AT ALL, - BUT AM WELL CONTENT TO SIT QUIETLY BY AND LISTEN TO THE LOVELY NEWS - THAT L. H. D., WHO, YOU WILL REMEMBER, I TOLD YOU ABOUT IN THE - PREFACE, HAS BROUGHT - - -One gloriously sunny morning Liza opened her grey eyes wide, yawned, -and decided that she would really stay awake and consider the business -of the day. She sat up in her little crib, looking adorably pink and -white and very huggable, with her tousled golden curls playing hide -and seek with each other on her neck. Across the room, in her own bed, -still sound asleep, lay Martha Mary. - -“Sister Lazy Bones,” thought Butterfly, and wondered how anyone could -want to sleep when Mr. Cock Robin was singing such a splendid song in -the vines at the windows. Liza looked around the room expectantly, -then the corners of her mouth drooped pitifully, and a big tear rolled -down her cheek. For where was Mother Dear this beautiful morning? Never -before, as long as Liza could remember, had she failed to find Mother -bending over her when she awakened, with a big kiss waiting in the -corner of her mouth for her baby daughter. - -Just at that minute, luckily, Nurse Huggins came in, smiling, oh, so -happily! Liza, of course, just couldn’t help smiling, too, though she -had not any idea at all why she was so glad. - -“Please,” said she, “where’s my Muvver Dear?” - -(She never took time to say Mother quite distinctly, though she really -could if she wanted to.) - -Nurse just laughed mysteriously, in the annoying way that grown-ups -sometimes have, kissed the little Butterfly, and bade her get quickly -into her wrapper and slippers. By this time Martha Mary was awake, -too, and following Liza’s example. In another moment the two children -were standing before Mother Dear’s door, which was very quietly -opened from the inside by a brown-eyed lady, dressed all in white, -whom they had never seen before. Mother lay in the big, four-poster -bed, looking a little pale and a little tired, but oh, so “smily.” -Right next to her was a little cradle, all blue lace and ribbons, and -inside-- Guess what! There was a baby, a teeny, tiny bit of a one, all -red and wrinkled, and not half so big as Liza’s doll. At first Martha -Mary could only look from the big bed to the cradle and then back -again. Then, when they realized what a wonderful present Mother Dear -had given them, they nearly smothered her with kisses. No one said a -word, because, you see, when a person is really and truly happy they -can’t talk much because of the choky feeling in their throat. But after -Martha Mary and Liza had each touched the crumpled rose-leaf hands of -the new baby, and looked into its tiny face. - -“Please,” said Mary, “is it a sister or a brother?” - -Mother laughed, then,--she just couldn’t help it. How silly she had -been not to have told them! - -“It’s a sister, Ladykin Dear,” said Father, who came into the room just -in time to hear the question. “And she is just as glad to see you as -you are to see her, only she sleeps so much that she hasn’t time to -tell you so, herself.” - -While Father was speaking Liza’s eyes had grown very wide indeed, for -the tiny sister had yawned, then opened her eyes, and was looking -straight at Liza. - -“Muvver Dear! Father!” said she excitedly, “she is going to talk to -me.” Then Butterfly’s golden curls, which just reached to the top of -the cradle, bent over anxiously toward the little bald head of the new -baby. No one spoke for at least a minute, which was evidently long -enough for Miss Little Sister to deliver her message, for at the end -of that time, away flew Liza across the room like a little sunbeam, -dancing and singing, - - “I know a secret I won’t tell you, - Sister told me and it is true.” - -No amount of begging on the part of Martha Mary could persuade Liza to -tell what the little stranger had said. I am sorry to say that Mary -felt just the least bit jealous, for she didn’t see why Liza should be -the only person in the family to know such wonderful things. Just as -the two children were leaving the room, Liza went over to the big bed, -took Mother Dear’s hand and kissed it. - -“Baby says her name’s ‘Midge,’” said Butterfly. “That is part of the -secret.” - -Everyone smiled and was glad. - -“Well,” said Father, “Midge it shall be, although her really, truly -name is to be ‘Margaret,’ just like Mother’s.” - -Liza’s eyes fairly danced with delight at the news, and Martha Mary had -to keep a very tight hold on her lips, so as not to shout how happy she -was, and so awaken Miss Midge. - -No one could seem to eat any breakfast that morning, though there -were delicious berries from the garden, with mush, and new-laid -eggs, and the thickest cream that Cow Bess could give. The boys had -been introduced to Miss Margaret Sherman, the second, while Liza and -Martha Mary were dressing, so it was small wonder that with the new -addition to the family to discuss the importance of such an every-day -occurrence as breakfast faded to almost nothing. - -“She’s not so much,” said Walter, with a rather disgusted look, while -he balanced a raspberry on the end of his fork. “Little bit of a red -thing without any hair at all! and, do you know, it hasn’t even a -single tooth.” - -“Well, supposing it hasn’t,” said John, his pride very much hurt at the -idea of a sister of his not being perfect, “it’s much happier without -them, I’m sure. Doesn’t have to bother with any old dentist.” - -“John! Walter! How can you?” said Martha Mary, almost in tears. “You -are simply hateful to talk like that about the loveliest baby there -ever was. You ask Miss Mason if she isn’t. I heard her tell Father that -Midge was a ‘perfectly normal child,’ and although it sounds awful, he -looked so happy that I know it must be something nice.” - -“But where did she come from, my Sister Midge Margaret?” said Liza, who -had been perfectly still ever since she had left Mother Dear’s room. No -one knew, but Edward Lee suggested that they find Flip, and perhaps -he could tell them. So away they all scampered, but not a trace of him -could they find. Just as they were about to give up, Liza spied him way -down in the sunken garden, his arms full of baby roses which he had -gathered for the baby in the house who looked so like a rose herself. -The children had never before seen him look so happy, except the day -that Jane came and his book was accepted. So, of course, they knew it -would be easy to get him to tell a story. Martha Mary took his hand and -patted it and said: - -“Please, Flip, we would like a really and truly story about Margaret.” -Flip was delighted and said he had intended to tell one, anyway, and -was coming to look for them. - -“For,” said he, “I am very, very happy to-day, Ladykin Dear, so you -shall have the nicest story I know how to tell.” - -And this is what he told them--the story of Little Sister Margaret: - -“Did you ever wonder, Children,” he began, “when you look at the sky at -night, and see the millions of fairy stars twinkling and dancing up -there, just why they are so bright and happy? Well, I’ll tell you the -reason. It is the most wonderfullest secret there ever was, and the -only people who are allowed to know it are the ones who love the star -children very much.” - -“I do,” said Liza. “Please tell me!” - -“Me, too--and Me--and Me--and Me,” came in chorus from the others. - -“Now,” Flip continued, “you all know that everybody and everything in -the world must have some use, no matter how little it may be. It is -just the same in Star-land, though most silly people never think what -the little twinkling lights are for. Do you know that every single -one of them, down to the teeniest, tiniest baby, that you can hardly -see, is a world of loveliness all by itself? There is the Rose Star, -where gloriously deep red roses, and little shy yellow buds and pink -lady-roses grow, and the air is sweeter than the sweetest perfume you -can imagine. Then there is the Forget-me-not Star, all covered with -the little blue flowers that look like Sister Margaret’s eyes; and -the Violet Star, and Pansy Land, and Sun Flower Place (very large and -important) and heaps and heaps of other flower stars whose names I -have forgotten. Of course there is Fairy Story Star, too, where Puss in -Boots, and Little Red Riding Hood, and Cinderella, and Jack the Giant -Killer, and all the rest of them live. Right near IT is the Grown-Up -Book Star, where there are so very many people that they never get time -to know each other. But the most important star, outside, of course, -of the Music Land Star and the Bird Star where the loveliest of songs -come from, and really, even more important than them, is--guess who! -Butterfly Dear!” - -“Lady Rumdidoodledum,” said Liza, without even stopping to think. - -“Right,” said Flip, “and that is just whom I am going to tell you -about.” - -“But I thought it was to be about baby sister,” said Martha Mary, -rather disappointedly, for she really could think of nothing else this -morning. - -“It is about them both, Impatient,” answered Flip. - -“You see, since Lady Rumdidoodledum is the biggest and brightest and -happiest star of them all, she must of course have something very nice -to make her so glad. Now, what do you suppose it would be that is even -lovelier than all the loveliest flowers or books, or birds, or anything -else that you can think of?” - -“Give up,” said Walter, although everyone was much too busy listening -to Flip to pay any attention. - -“I know,” said Martha Mary, her eyes shining. “It’s Babies.” - -“Exactly, Ladykin Dear,” answered Flip. “Lady Rumdidoodledum is the -Baby Star, and she shines specially for little children all over the -world. I must tell you about her. There are oodles and oodles of babies -living there, creeping and laughing and cooing all day. They are happy -as happy can be, for they have the most adorable little playmates that -you ever saw. They are little fairy creatures, scarcely as large as -Martha Mary’s finger-nails, and they live in the soft, silky green -centers of eucalyptus blossoms. When a Mother down here on the earth -wants a little boy child or girl child very badly, she goes out -into the woods and picks a eucalyptus blossom. Then, if she is very -wise she opens it, whispers her wish, and lets out the tiny creature -inside, who flies away up beyond the clouds in the gentle arms of the -Southeast wind, straight to Lady Rumdidoodledum. There, the first -thing the little fairy-person sees is a big silver cloud. She goes -right through it, for she is both a fairy and a dream and can do many -wonderful things. Right there, who do you think is waiting? A smiling -Mother-person who looks like your Mother Dear, as well as every other -Mother in the world. - -“‘Happy Day, Little Dream,’ she says, which is Rumdidoodledum for ‘How -do you do?’ The little creature whispers the message of the Mother who -sent her from earth, then flies back to tell her that all is well, and -her wish will be granted. - -“Well, one lovely evening, several months ago, just after the sun -had set and the sky was all rosy and gold in the west, your Mother -Dear went out for a little walk in the garden with Father. Lady -Rumdidoodledum had just come out and was shining very brightly over -the top of the big eucalyptus tree. Mother Dear saw her first; she -always does, you know. So, she wished very, very hard for another -little daughter, at the same time opening the eucalyptus blossom -that she held in her hand. There was a little breeze at that moment, -and away flew the tiny creature. When she reached the Baby Star, she -stayed a very, very long time indeed. For she was most particular for -so small a personage and wished to find just the very sweetest of all -the Rumdidoodledum babies to be Margaret Sherman. So she searched and -searched but none of them suited exactly, until way off in a corner she -found what she was looking for: an adorable little golden-haired mite -with eyes that danced and were the color of forget-me-nots. Then the -fairy-person knew that she had found the right little sister for John, -Martha Mary, Walter and Edward Lee and Liza, so she flew off, happy as -happy could be. - -“Ever since, Mother Dear has been waiting, waiting for her dream to -come true. This morning, just as Lady Rumdidoodledum was fading from -the sky, the Baby-person arrived, for all the world as lovely and pink -as the dawn that brought her. - -“That, Butterfly Dear, is the story of Little Sister Margaret, the -dearest of all Lady Rumdidoodledum’s children. And that, you see, is -the reason that Mr. Cock Robin sang so happily outside your window this -morning and the flowers were all so gay and the sky so blue and bright. -You see, all the world is happy at the sound of a baby’s voice. - -“Listen, there she is, calling now, for someone to come and love her.” - -“I do,” said Butterfly Liza. “And I--and I--and I--and I,” sang all the -others. - - -FINIS - - - - -_THE “MOTHER DEAR” BOOKS_ - - -THE GOLDEN SPEARS AND OTHER FAIRY TALES - -By EDMUND LEAMY - -With a preface - -By JOHN E. REDMOND, M.P. - -_Illustrated. Small 4to, cloth. Net $1.00_ - - -“‘=The Golden Spears and Other Fairy Tales=’ is a book of absorbing -interest for children, and will be read with pleasure by grown-up -people. It is by the Irish writer, Edmund Leamy, who understood the -child nature and loved to minister to it. The delight which children -have in the world of fields and flowers, birds and blue skies, finds -abundant expression in the stories. In each tale the dramatic feature -is well developed and holds the reader’s interest to the end. The book -has real literary merit, the author’s style being graceful and well -adapted to the child mind. There are not enough such books in the -world. Books that are free from objectionable features and meet the -child’s craving for the wonderful, at the same time portraying the -beautiful and noble in the world and in human life, are very rare. -Brightness, beauty, nobility of sentiment, brave deeds, generous -conduct, kindness, gratitude, fidelity, appreciation of the good and -true in humanity, kindness to the lower orders of life, purity of -thought, all find abundant expression in the stories. There are seven -of them in the volume. Each has an attractive illustration drawn by -Corinne Turner. They are printed on paper of an excellent quality and -handsomely bound in cloth, with an appropriate cover design in colors. -Educators would do well to consider this volume as well adapted to meet -the need for suitable reading matter in certain school grades.”--_The -Springfield Republican._ - - -THE FAIRY MINSTREL OF GLENMALURE - -By EDMUND LEAMY - -Illustrated in color - -By VERA CASSEAU - -A book of beautiful imaginative tales for children of all ages, a -companion to “The Golden Spears and Other Fairy Tales” by the same -author, which Mr. John E. Redmond, M.P., pronounced the most winsome -and educative of its kind. - -_Small 4to. Cloth. 75c. net_ - - -THE HEART OF AN ORPHAN - -By AMANDA MATHEWS - -Illustrated by W. T. Benda - -“‘The Heart of an Orphan’ introduces another lovable child to the -wealth of American child-lore. - -“Giovanna, the little Italian orphan, is so ingenuous and natural as -to suggest the boys and girls of Myra Kelly’s tales. It is a book that -should be known and loved.”--_The Boston Herald._ - -_12mo. Cloth. $1.00 net_ - - - PUBLISHED BY - DESMOND FITZGERALD, Inc. - 156 FIFTH AVENUE NEW YORK - - - - -TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES: - - - Italicized text is surrounded by underscores: _italics_. - - Emboldened text is surrounded by equals signs: =bold=. - - Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. - - Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LADY RUM-DI-DOODLE-DUM'S -CHILDREN *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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