92 THE FAIRY-FOLK OF THE BLUE HILL.

and described her awakening in the beauti-
ful cavern and hearing the song of welcome
sung by the good-hearted gnomes. She told
her astonished mother of the grottos where
the gold and silver fishes sported, and of the
lovely flowers that bloomed all about her, and
of the unseen hands that showered the spark-
ling stones and bright flowers over her. She
ended her tale with the verse sung by the
fairies, in which they promised to watch over
her and protect her always.

“And dost thou think, my little maid, that
the good fairies will love thee so well if thou
hast revengeful thoughts toward Wassa?”
asked the mother. “ Thou wilt be happier if
thou cherishest no ill will toward her. Give
her some of thy pretty shining stones and of
these beautiful bright flowers, the like of which
never grew in our woods.”

It was a hard struggle for the little maid to
decide to do as her mother wished, for the
recollection of many an unkind word rose in
her memory; but her mother had always
taught Mona to conquer all unkind thoughts
before she went to sleep at night, and as she
lay awake on her bed of boughs she tried to
bring her mind to do as her mother advised.