While they sat at the table the flower-elf related all he had seen, and heard, and done that evening. He told the elves that Colonel Claw was in the neighborhood, and had taken up his abode in the mulberry tree. And when he repeated the conversation he had had with that gentleman, Captain Featherweight commanded Lightning, the messenger-elf, to catch some grasshoppers and caterpillars for Colonel Claw just in time for his breakfast. “Give him my compliments,” said Captain Featherweight, “and tell him that I shall give myself the pleasure of calling upon him tomorrow evening.” “And I saw the American Beauty Rose,” continued the flower-elf, “and she wants you to give a ball and invite the flowers. She needs to be cheered up. She said she was feeling blue, although she looked very red and rosy.” “One thing at a time,” said the Captain, “for I’ve just decided to have a lawn party for the Elves of Oakdale, and Lightning will carry them the invitations this very evening.” “Captain Featherweight of Mount Fern presents his compliments to Captain Acorn of Oakdale, and begs that Captain Acorn and his Company will favor Captain Featherweight and his Company with their presence at Mount Fern on Thursday next by the light of the moon.” This was the form of the invitation, and Lightning carried it at once to Oakdale. “And what shall I say to the American Beauty Rose?” asked the flower-elf, when Lightning had gone. “My best respects to the American Beauty,” said Captain Featherweight, “and tell her that it will give us much pleasure to entertain the flowers; and that the ball shall be given two weeks from to-night in honor of the Queen of Flowers, which, as you know, is the rose.” Then the flower-elf departed for the rose garden to carry Captain Featherweight’s invitation to the flowers, and before long Lightning was seen in the distance hurrying back with Captain Acorn’s reply, which ran thus: “Captain Acorn of Oakdale presents his compliments to Captain Featherweight of Mount Fern, and accepts with much pleasure for himself and his Company the most kind invitation of Captain Featherweight of Mount Fern.” “And now,” said the Captain, when he had read the reply, “we must prepare for our guests. The finest piece of lawn is under the great white oak tree, and there we will play skyball. Between now and Thursday I want you to pull up and carry away all the tall blades of grass, and beat down with our feet all the rough places, so that the lawn will be as smooth as velvet. “And, Lightning!” continued the Captain, “we shall need new balls and mallets for the occasion, so go to the Dwarfs of Cavedale, and tell them to have them ready for Thursday next.” “Of what shall the Dwarfs make them?” asked Lightning. “The balls shall be made of purest rubber, the mallet heads of finest ivory, and the handles of blackest ebony.” “And how large shall they be, noble Captain?”