26 THE FAIRY-FOLK OF THE BLUE HILL.

broad, green pads form suiting resting-places
for our gracious lady queen.”

“Why this tiresome explanation ?” demand-
ed the queen imperiously. “ My province it is
to command, thine to execute, not to make
speeches. Lead the way.”

“But, gracious lady,” replied the maid of
honor obsequiously, “ permit me, I beg, to say
a few words. A most strange thing happened,
as we were contemplating the pond that was to
serve as a bath for our beautiful queen. Even
as we gazed, a rustling in the bushes startled
us, and there appeared before our eyes a being
such as we have never before beheld.”

“ One of the elves, thou stupid,” retorted the
queen sharply, “the lilies are full of them.
Many and many a time, I have seen them
sleeping in the lily petals and floating on the
Padsee ase

“Pardon me, gracious lady, but it was no
elf; those we know well. It was a large being,
and it stepped into the water and seized a lily
blossom and broke it off, and another, and still
another, until its large hands were full of the
beautiful blossoms thy ladyship so loves to
alight on.”