_First Fairy_. Now I am thinking. _Second Fairy_. What? _First Fairy_. Could we get somebody to give these little girls a home and put their mother in a hospital, how nice it would be! _Second Fairy_. Nice indeed. _First Fairy_. I will summon the elfin messenger, and see what can be done. _Second Fairy_. Count on my assistance. [Fairies _arise, make motions with their hands, and repeat,_] Hither hasten, lovely boy, Whom we fairy-folk employ; Here are errands to be done, Finished ere to-morrow's sun. _Enter_ Elgin, _the messenger, a boy of six to eight years_. _Elgin_ (_bowing_). Fairies dear, I heard your call; Elgin is my name. _First Fairy_. Come hither, good Elgin. Wilt run errands in the air for us to-night? _Elgin_. Only let me know your wish, I will do that same. _First Fairy_. Behold yon sleeping child. _Second Fairy_. She sleeps sweetly under our loving enchantment. Do you see her? _Elgin_. Fairies, I do. 'Tis a young and gentle face. _First Fairy_. Knowest thou a lady rich and lonely who would give a home to this girl and her sister? _Elgin_. You ask a most uncommon thing. Most mortals are so cold and hard, To wealth and luxury they cling, And if they give, they seek reward. _Second Fairy_. But, Elgin, think. Rich, lonely, and with loving hearts. Are there no such among mortals? _Elgin_. A few, no doubt; To find one out, That is the enterprise. One can but try, And that will I Beneath the starry skies. _First Fairy_. But prithee think quickly, Elgin, boy. Time waits not. _Elgin_ (_musing_). Idle and frivolous--she won't do. How would a maiden lady do? I know one living in a large and beautiful house, her father's dying gift. She has no one to love her, and no one to love. Shall I go to her, Fairies? One can but try. _First Fairy_. Now you are my sweet Elgin. Ask her in dreams to-night. And, dear boy, on thy way bid hither the Genius of Thanksgiving and many of his sprites. We can arrange a little dinner for to-morrow. _Elgin_. Depend on me, good fairies dear. [_Exit._] _Second Fairy_ (_walking to_ Ethel). She sleeps and smiles. Rest, sweet one. _Enter_ Rosy-cheeked Apple, _a girl dressed in red cheese-cloth, and_ Golden Pumpkin, _a boy in yellow_. _Both Fairies_. Welcome, sprites--Rosy-cheeked Apple and Golden Pumpkin. We have work for you to-night. _Rosy-cheeked Apple_. It's frosty out to-night, so we ran and tumbled, and Golden Pumpkin there, jolly boy, rolled till we came hither. _Golden Pumpkin_. 'Twas a merry game of tag, sister, and I won. _Rosy-cheeked Apple_. Naughty boy, I won. Last tag was mine. _Golden Pumpkin_. Well, then it's mine now. [_Touches her, and together they play tag around the room, nearly knocking over_ Nuts and Raisins, Red Cranberry, _and_ Beets, Carrots and Turnips, _who enter_.] _Nuts and Raisins_ (_dressed in brown_). Why, here's fun! Let's join the game. [_All play tag._]