“The beautiful Forget-Me-Not Was lover, true and tried, Of dainty Daisy innocent,-- And he walked by her side. “A red Rose danced with a Lily fair, And he said as he whispered in her ear, ‘My pure sweet Lily, you are my queen, I love you, dear. I love you, dear!’ “The gorgeous Sunflower, bold and brave, Approached the shy, white Cyclamen--” But here the poet-elf looked hard at the Pansy, and saw that she was fainting; so he brought her a drink of water, in an acorn cup, and begged her pardon a thousand times. “And please don’t tell Captain Featherweight about the poetry,” implored Rhymo, “for if he thinks I’ve bored you, he’ll send me to Doomdell.” Then Rainbow came along and asked the Pansy for the favor of a dance; and Rhymo, who saw no one without a partner, sat on a moss-mound and watched the dancers. The music was grand, and the flap! flap! of the butterflies’ wings beat time with the strains of the orchestra. The Elves were happy and so were their guests, for Captain Featherweight was a charming host, and even the Daffodil and Hyacinth were enjoying themselves. The flowers were truly beautiful, and were so light and airy in their movements that it was a delight to watch them. And they danced until the morning light dimmed the glow of the fireflies; and then all the flowers, led by the American Beauty Rose, thanked Captain Featherweight for the honor he had done them, curtsied low to him and all his company, and bade them adieu. Thus ended the ball. 4 EMILY’S BIRTHDAY At starlight the next evening the Elves of Mount Fern were up and about their business as usual. “I think,” said the Captain, “that we’ll stay here for a long time. I like the neighborhood. I like the trees and the garden and the birds; and I think we’re just as well off here as anywhere else for the present. I’m fond of Colonel Claw, too; he’s a good fellow even if he is a crow.” “Speaking of angels makes them appear,” said Touchstone, “for here he comes.” When Colonel Claw arrived at Mount Fern he was cordially welcomed by all the Elves. “Have a perch,” said the Captain, “and make yourself at home.” Rainbow thought of everything, and as soon as he knew that Colonel Claw was in the neighborhood he had the branch of a tree brought in and fixed in one of the cracks of the wall, for it isn’t good form for a crow to sit on a chair or a moss-mound. “I just dropped in to see if you intended to celebrate Emily’s birthday in any way,” said Colonel Claw. “It is only a week from today, and as the bluebirds’ house is still undisturbed I thought it would not be amiss to call a council of the birds in the neighborhood, and see if they would be willing to serenade her.” “A capital idea,” said Captain Featherweight, “for nothing adds so much to a festive occasion as good music. And I don’t know any music more delightful than a bird chorus.