CHAPTER XVII
THE FAIRY STORY CONTINUED

WHAT a feast it was—what a feast!
| They were so hungry, they were so
i happy, they were so rejoiced. And

John Holt watched them as if he had

never enjoyed himself so much before. He laughed,

 

he made jokes, he handed out good things, he poured
out lemonade.
~ “Tet’s drink to the Great Magician !” he said, filling
the little glasses he had brought, and he made them
drink it, standing, as a toast. In all the grounds that
day there was not sucha party. It was so exhilarated
and so amazed at itself, Little Ben looked and ate
and laughed as if the lemonade had gone to his
head.
“Oh, my!” he said, “if mother could see me!”
“We'll bring her to-morrow !” said John Holt.
“Are you”—faltered Meg, looking at him with
wide eyes—‘are you coming again to-morrow ?”

“Yes,” John Holt answered, “and you are coming
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