Little Tom himself realized that, outside in the great world, there was no happiness for him and he readily promised that he would stay at home. But it made him sad to think how terrible and cruel the world is, and that in it there seemed to be no safe place for him. [Illustration] CHAPTER SEVEN. LITTLE TOM AND CHRYSOMELA. SEVEN SPOT'S VISIT. LITTLE TOM IS INVITED TO PAY A VISIT TO THE KINGDOM OF THE SEVEN SPOTS. HE SETS OUT ON A DRAGONFLY AND COMES TO THE POOL IN THE FOREST. THE BANQUET ON THE LEAF OF THE WATER-ROSE. LITTLE TOM IS PROCLAIMED KING OF THE KINGDOM OF THE SEVEN SPOTS. HE MEETS CHRYSOMELA AGAIN. THE FESTIVAL. THE VISIT TO THE WOOD-BUGS. THE DWELLING IN THE HOLLOW BEECH-TREE. * * * * * [Illustration] Little Tom spent many days at home alone on top of the linen press. Outside, the sun shone and through the windows the flowers breathed a wonderful fragrance; but he no longer wished to go out, for he knew there only awaited him terrible traps and dangers. He worked sometimes in his garden, or wrote in his diary, or went over to the window to look out sadly between the flower pots to the wide world beyond. One day, as he was standing on the window ledge and looking into the garden, he perceived on a fuchsia near the window a beautiful, red ladybird with shining wings, crawling on the blossoms and looking sideways at him. His Godmother had been away since early morning and he knew that she would not return until evening, so he was very lonely there all by himself. The lady-bird opened its wings and flew over to the window. Alighting on the edge it started to crawl along, all the time looking towards Tom who thought to himself: »What is that gentleman looking for and does he know me?« But the lady-bird coming to him said, »Good morning Little Tom. How are you? I am very pleased to find you. I am Seven Spot from the lady-bird kingdom on the forest pool. We all thought that you had perished with the others in the terrible flood.« Little Tom was surprised to learn that this gentleman knew him so well, but he did not wish to inquire how it happened; so he replied that he was very pleased to meet Mr. Seven Spot, as he had no companions at all. They talked together for some time. Seven Spot told him all about the forest pool and how beautiful it was; and Little Tom, on his part, confided to his new friend his various adventures. Seven Spot listened attentively; but also seemed to have something on his mind. Presently he invited Tom to visit the lady-bird kingdom; but Tom declined, as he wished never again to act contrary to his Godmother's instructions and make an independent excursion into the great world.