I12 THE FAIRY-FOLK OF THE BLUE HILL.

dancing about over the meadows. I know him
by the little lantern he carries. Hast thou not
seen him?”

“How can I see him when I never go out
at night?” replied the blue dragon-fly in an
irritable tone.

“I shall be glad to take thy message to him,”
replied the brown beetle politely.

“Thou!” exclaimed the dragon-fly rudely.
“Thou wilt be sure to get things muddled in
thy dull brain.”

“Then I can send him to thee, and thou
canst talk to him thyself,” answered the brown
beetle mildly.

“Thank thee,” said the blue dragon-fly, her
ill humor disappearing before the brown beetle’s
good nature, “thou art very kind. Tell him
he will find me in the usual place by the yellow
lily that grows just under the large maple in
the meadow below.”

The brown beetle promised to give the
message correctly to the Will-o’-the-wisp, and
away flew the giddy dragon-fly to sport in the
bright sunlight, her attendants, as usual, fol-
lowing at a respectful distance.

When night came, the brown beetle, true to