20 THE FAIRY-FOLK OF THE BLUE HILL.

plied the blue dragon-fly haughtily, “ whether
thou art glad or sorry to see me.”

The brown beetle was dreadfully confused at
this rude repulse, and hastened to apologize.

“IT come and go as | please,” continued the
proud beauty, “and ask leave of no one.
Straighten out the tip of my left wing,” she
ordered, turning to her attendants.

The submissive waiting-maids hastened to do
their queen’s bidding, and then in obedience to
a sign from her, retired to a distance as before.

“What is the matter with the giants?” de-
manded the blue dragon-fly imperiously, not
deigning to look at the beetle as she addressed
him.

The brown beetle, delighted to oblige such a
beautiful being, hastened to tell the story of
the mischievous trick of the gnomes and the
quarrel of the giants, and how the little man in
gray had commanded the gnomes to abide in
the interior of the hill in future.

The blue dragon-fly beckoned to her attend-
ants to approach.

“Go into yonder cavern and ascertain how
the gnomes are employed, and what the cavern
is like,” ordered the proud queen.