And of course they wore their girdles, for on a great occasion an elf would no more think of going without a girdle, than a young lady would think of going to a party without her slippers. From the entrance to Templeton Garden, all the way to Mount Fern, the path-way was strewn with flowers and studded with arches. The first arch was made of _laurel_ to show that the elves honored their King: the second was made of _roses_ to show that they loved him: and the third arch was made of _pansies_ to show that they always thought of him. The arches and shrubbery were hung with silver filigree lanterns, and the glowworms shone and shed their soft lights around. And Lightning, the messenger-elf, who had been sent out in the evening to watch for the arrival of the King, returned in great haste just at midnight to say that the King was coming--for the King’s herald had blown three blasts on his bugle to proclaim His Majesty’s approach. Then the Elves of Mount Fern took their silver trumpets and blew three answering blasts as a greeting to all the King’s company. Two elves were stationed at each of the arches, and they bowed down on bended knee as the King passed by, and cried: “All hail, noble King!” And when the King and his retinue arrived at Mount Fern, Captain Featherweight was there to receive them. After the greetings were over, Rainbow and Iris-Wing led the King to a flower-throne which was made of the softest and sweetest of pansies. Then Rainbow took a golden goblet and bowed down before the King, and said: “Noble King, will you drink?” “I will,” said the King. So Rainbow took a pitcher-plant and poured out some sparkling nectar; and the King took the goblet and drank and refreshed himself. Iris-Wing bowed down before the King and asked: “Noble King, will you eat?” “I will,” said the King. Then Iris-Wing took the freshest and ripest of nuts, and the most luscious of fruits, and brought these to the King. And he ate and enjoyed them. When the King had partaken of nuts and berries and nectar, he said to the Captain. “Captain Featherweight, I long have wanted to visit you and your Company, but duties of state have prevented. I am delighted with Mount Fern! “Your home is a bower; your furnishings dainty and elegant; and your fare is delicious. “Tomorrow we’ll visit the gardens. This evening we’ll spend in quiet conversing, in puzzles and riddles, conundrums and puns. I love a good joke when I’m tired of affairs of the kingdom.” Captain Featherweight, bowing low, replied: “Your Majesty’s wish is our pleasure.” Then the King, looking up at the ceiling, was struck by the soft glow of the filigree lanterns, and asked the Captain what lighting he used. Bowing low, the Captain replied: “The light of the glowworm.” The King was delighted and said that he himself had never once thought of glowworms, but had always used firefly lanterns. Then he called his secretary and told him to make a note of the lighting of Mount Fern.