The chairs and tables moved nearer and nearer; and the gardener was so weary that he wanted to sink on the floor; but there was not room, for everything in the cottage piled itself right up against him so that he could not move. The air grew thicker and thicker, and the night grew blacker and blacker, but not so black that he could not see the goblin coming toward him. And the goblin flew straight to the gardener, flapped its heavy wings, and shouted at him: “You’re cramped for room, are you?” “I’m dying,” said the gardener. “Then help the plants to live. Pull up the weeds, give the plants room, and you may live yourself,” said the goblin as he flew away in the darkness. At this point the dream-elf, thinking his work well done, hastened back to Mount Fern. “Some dreams,” said he to himself, “are good for a gardener, and I think this one will be.” Very early the next morning the flower-elf and Slumber went into the garden to see what was happening there. And lo and behold! Colonel Claw was at work with a whole host of birds, destroying the insects that eat out the life of the flowers. Such a chattering you never did hear, for they sang and talked as they worked. A host of Warblers was destroying plant-lice, canker-worms, and caterpillars. Catbirds were waging warfare against grasshoppers, beetles, and other insects. Swallows were flying hither and thither in search of insects, and catching their prey on the wing; and each as he passed a friend or a brother cried out: “Hurry up, there is work to be done!” The Flickers were ridding the garden of ants, and gaily they worked and well. And Sparrows were eating the seeds of the weeds, so that none might escape to grow up and choke out the flowers. All the birds helped in the work, and destroyed all the harmful insects and weed seeds. And this army of birds had just got to work when the gardener appeared on the scene. He came much earlier than usual; and he fed and watered the plants; and he weeded and spaded and hoed; and not a single plant was neglected. And early each morning Colonel Claw marshalled his army of birds to do battle against the plants’ enemies. And early each morning the gardener, too, kept on with his weeding and hoeing. So that the garden grew and flourished. The flowers were blooming with happiness, and they smiled and nodded their beautiful heads while they said to the gardener: “Dear sir, you are kindness itself.” And all the elves were delighted, especially the flower-elf. Dr. Templeton, too, was delighted, and he and his wife came oftener than usual to walk in the garden and admire the beautiful flowers. One evening at starlight the Captain received a message from the King, saying that before a week would go by he would visit Mount Fern, for he planned to be there on Tuesday next at the full of the moon. At last the great night arrived, and the elves were all dressed in oak leaves in honor of the King (for the oak is the King’s favorite tree).