But suddenly the elves decided to give a party. Oh, it was going to be a very jolly party indeed, and Dumps heard about it. Almost every elf who passed was whistling, or singing something cheerful. And some of them carried their best green suits to the Wood Fairy's house to be pressed. And when Dumps heard about the party, he cried so loud because he knew he wouldn't be invited that the Wood Fairy heard him. The noise disturbed her, and she went down to Dumps' house to see what was the matter with him _now_. "Tell me all about it, from the beginning, my dear," she said to poor little Dumps. "I can't see the sunshine!" Dumps howled. "Of course, you can't," said the Wood Fairy. "Your windows are dirty. Get some nice spring water in your little pail and wash them." Dumps had never thought of doing that. When he washed the windows the sunbeams streamed in like a golden ladder. "Is there something else the matter?" the Wood Fairy asked. "My fire won't burn, even though I kick the coal bucket every day," Dumps sobbed. "Well, try blowing the fire," the Wood Fairy suggested. Dumps had never thought of doing that. His bellows were stiff, but he blew them very hard, and--crackle--there was a nice bright fire, and his kettle began to sing! "Is that all?" asked the Wood Fairy. "Oh, no!" Dumps sighed, "The other elves are giving a party, and I'm not invited." "It is for all the elves, and you don't have to be invited," the Wood Fairy said. "Stand up straight and let me brush your suit. Now run along, my dear." So Dumps started up the hill to the party, laughing all the way, for he just couldn't help it. You see, he had so many years of being one of the Dumps to make up for! He laughed until all his wrinkles were gone, and he was puffed out with happiness. He started bees buzzing, and grasshoppers fiddling, and crickets chirping. "Who can this new, fat, cheerful elf be?" asked all the other elves, as Dumps arrived at the party, turning a double-somersault into their midst. "We are all here except Dumps, and of course this isn't he?" Then Dumps showed them how he could turn back-somersaults, and make a see-saw out of a rush leaf. He taught them how to play baseball with white clover heads, and how to make a swing of braided grasses. He surprised himself with all the good times he was able to think up. "Of course, this isn't Dumps," the other elves decided. "His name must be Delight." And Dumps never told them their mistake, for it wasn't really a mistake at all. Now, was it? [Illustration] THE WRECK OF THE HESPERUS BY HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW It was the schooner Hesperus, That sailed the wintry sea; And the skipper had taken his little daughter, To bear him company. Blue were her eyes as the fairy-flax, Her cheeks like the dawn of day, And her bosom white as the hawthorn buds, That ope in the month of May.