They drew rein at the knot-hole, and the old fairy, skipping from his butterfly and never pausing to fasten it, tottered straight to Teddy and threw his arms about his neck. “Our preserver!” he cried. “And to think I should have called you a gamblesome elf! But never mind; I will make it up to you.” Suddenly he turned and caught the blushing Rosine by the hand. “Here!” he cried; “she is yours, and you shall live with us, and learn to turn your toes up, and we will all be happy together.” “But —but —” cried Teddy, starting back, “don’t you know? I’m not an elf at all. I’m—” “Well, well! Here we are back again,” said the Counterpane Fairy, “and stiff enough I feel after all that journeying.” “Oh! wasn’t it funny?” said Teddy, and his knees shook with laughter. “They really thought I was a gamblesome elf.” “Take care!” cried the fairy. “There you are shaking your knees again. I think, my dear, that if you were to lower them very, very carefully, the hill would not be quite so steep.” “Yes, ma’am, I’ll be careful,” said Teddy, beginning very slowly to slide his feet down in the bed. Suddenly, the door-knob turned, and Teddy gave a start; —quick as a flash the Counterpane Fairy had disappeared. His mother was coming in carrying his breakfast and a little vase of violets on a tray. “Why, my darling, what a bright, happy face!” she said. “I think my little boy must be feeling better this morning.” [Illustration] CHAPTER THIRD. STARLEIN AND SILVERLING Mis’ Thomas, Ann McFinney’s downstairs to see you about that sewing you said she could do for you,” said Hannah, putting her head in at the door. Mamma was sitting close to the bed playing a game of Old Maid with Teddy. “Very well, Hannah; tell her I’ll be there in a moment,” she said. “Oh, please don’t go yet,” said Teddy. “It’s my draw. Match! You’re the old maid. Oh, Mamma! You’re an old maid!” And he pointed his finger at her and laughed. “Why, so I am,” said mamma. “Now you can shuffle the cards, and when I come back we’ll have another game.” “Don’t stay long,” begged Teddy. “I’ll come back as soon as I can,” said mamma, and then she went out. Teddy lay propped up on the pillow and shuffled and shuffled the cards, and wished his mother would hurry. He did not like Ann McFinney, for when she came she always cried, and wiped her eyes on the corner of her apron, and told how her husband was out of work, and the children needed shoes. Now it was some time before mamma came back, and when she did she had her bonnet on. “Darling,” she said, “I have to go out for a while. Mrs. McFinney’s baby’s sick, and I’ve promised the poor thing to come over and see it. I won’t be gone long, and when I come back I’ll bring you a sheet of paper soldiers to cut out.” “I’d rather have a paper circus,” said Teddy. “Very well,” said mamma, “I’ll bring you a circus instead.” Then she gave him some picture-books to look at while she was out, and kissed him good-bye, telling him to be a good boy.