70 THE SECOND FROGGY FAIRY BOOK.

that tree must find another home. The fairy
cannot be injured, herself, though she mourns
the loss of what nature gave her.”

By this time the hobby-horse had drawn
the chariot up before the ball-room door.

“Umpy, dumpy, didley dee,” called the
boy, springing out, and helping Elsie to alight.
The door opened, revealing a magnificent
apartment, with highly polished floor and
rich furnishings.

The guests were arriv-
ing through a distant door
that led in from the garden.
The fairies came dressed
as ballet dancers and court
ladies; and the gnomes, as
court gentlemen and frogs.
As the guests included
among them vea/ frogs, it
was in some instances dif-
ficult to distinguish the real
from the “ pretend.”

Light for the entertainment shown from
countless, pink, fairy lamps, ranged round about
on spreading mushroom tables. The music
was furnished by the frog orchestra, that occu-
pied a gailery, near at hand.

Indeed, Froggy the Fiddler was the first to
welcome Elsie to the ball. When he saw her