“But I do not care to dance to-night!” replied Lulea, with a little frown. “We might create something, by virtue of our fairy powers,” suggested one who reclined at the feet of the queen. “Ah, that is just the idea!” exclaimed the dainty Lulea, with brightening countenance. “Let us create something. But what?” “I have heard,” remarked another member of the band, “of a thinking-cap having been made by some fairies in America. And whatever mortal wore this thinking-cap was able to conceive the most noble and beautiful thoughts.” “That was indeed a worthy creation,” cried the little queen. “What became of the cap?” “The man who received it was so afraid some one else would get it and be able to think the same exquisite thoughts as himself that he hid it safely away—so safely that he himself never could think afterward where he had placed it.” “How unfortunate! But we must not make another thinking-cap, lest it meet a like fate. Cannot you suggest something, else?” “I have heard,” said another, “of certain fairies who created a pair of enchanted boots, which would always carry their mortal wearer away from danger—and never into it.” “What a great boon to those blundering mortals!” cried the queen. “And whatever became of the boots?” “They came at last into the possession of a great general who did not know their powers. So he wore them into battle one day, and immediately ran away, followed by all his men, and the fight was won by the enemy.” “But did not the general escape danger?” “Yes—at the expense of his reputation. So he retired to a farm and wore out the boots tramping up and down a country road and trying to decide why he had suddenly become such a coward.” “The boots were worn by the wrong man, surely,” said the queen; “and that is why they proved a curse rather than a blessing. But we want no enchanted boots. Think of something else.” “Suppose we weave a magic cloak,” proposed Espa, a sweet little fairy who had not before spoken. “A cloak? Indeed, we might easily weave that,” returned the queen. “But what sort of magic powers must it possess?” “Let its wearer have any wish instantly fulfilled,” said Espa, brightly. [Illustration: “‘SUPPOSE WE WEAVE A MAGIC CLOAK.’”] But at this there arose quite a murmur of protest on all sides, which the queen immediately silenced with a wave of her royal hand. “Our sister did not think of the probable consequences of what she suggested,” declared Lulea, smiling into the downcast face of little Espa, who seemed to feel rebuked by the disapproval of the others. “An instant’s reflection would enable her to see that such power would give the cloak’s mortal wearer as many privileges as we ourselves possess. And I suppose you intended the magic cloak for a mortal wearer?” she inquired. “Yes,” answered Espa, shyly; “that was my intention.”