“I thought myself of engaging the insect choir to serenade her, but before deciding that, I wished to consult you. I want the choir to perform in the evening, and I wondered if the insects would be safe from the Night-Hawks and Whippoorwills.” “They surely will for that one evening,” said Colonel Claw, “for I’ll send a carrier-pigeon with a note to General Grosbeak this very evening.” “How will this do?” “Colonel Claw presents his compliments to General Grosbeak. He begs to state that Emily Templeton’s birthday is a week from today, and craves his kind permission to issue a proclamation to Night-Hawks, Whippoorwills, and other insect-destroyers to stay away from Templeton Gardens on the evening of that day, as it is hoped that the insect choir will take part in the celebration of Emily’s birthday.” “That is excellent,” said Captain Featherweight, “but do you think he will grant your request?” “He’ll know,” said Colonel Claw, “that I wouldn’t have asked this for Emily if anything had happened to the bluebirds’ house.” Then Colonel Claw departed, saying that he hoped to be able soon to show Captain Featherweight General Grosbeak’s reply. After he had gone, the Captain called his elves together to decide what they should give Emily for a birthday present. “I move that we give her a violin, so that she can have music wherever she goes,” said Tono. “A violin isn’t music,” said Owly, “and how could she have music wherever she goes when she can’t even play a note? You’re so unpractical, Tono. Let’s hear a suggestion from some one else.” “I suggest a book of poems,” said Rhymo, “and I’ll add some of my own. A book never gets out of tune, and is a constant source of delight.” “That depends entirely on the book,” said Owly, who didn’t at all approve of Rhymo’s suggestion. “Don’t you think a bouquet would be nicer than anything else?” asked the flower-elf. “No,” said Owly, “because the house will be full of them anyway. That would be like carrying fish to a fisherman. Can no one think of anything more suitable and appropriate?” “I can,” said Slumber, “for I dreamed only last night that Emily wanted a necklace.” “The best suggestion I have heard,” said the Captain. “A necklace is just the thing, and I’ll send Lightning this very evening to the Dwarfs of Cavedale to ask them to have it ready for her birthday. “And Tono, you will please compose some music for the occasion, and Rhymo will make some verses to suit the music. Or perhaps it would be better the other way around, but I leave that entirely to you. “With the insect choir, the bird chorus, the elfin choir and orchestra, Emily’s birthday will be very well celebrated.” “Shall I make a verse to accompany the necklace?” asked Rhymo. “Not a bad idea,” said the Captain. “Shall I engage the insect choir?” asked Lightning. “That is my business,” said Tono. “Anything that has to do with music, you will please leave to me. I’ll attend to that this very evening.”