Part 7 (1/2)
They had no more strange adventures, for the staff guided them safely on their way, and as the sun lowered, and the afternoon became cool, and the birds were less noisy, Laura suddenly espied the gray figure and scarlet cap of Grim, waiting on the edge of the wood to welcome the little wayfarers. When he saw them, he tossed his cap high in the air as a signal to the Motherkin, whose pleasant face quickly appeared, and in a few moments Laura was in her embrace. Then followed the welcome to Kathie, and even the cub came in for his share of attention; but as they neared the cottage, to Laura's greater astonishment, her own dear mamma came out and took her in her arms.
”My child! my own dear Laura!” exclaimed her mother, tenderly, ”how altered you are! how you have grown! and what a fine healthy brown is upon your cheeks! and, best of all, my dear friend tells me of the loving pilgrimage you have just finished, and what a good girl my Laura has become.” And the mother kissed and clasped Laura, while tears of joy fell from her eyes.
Never had there been so charming a feast seen as the Motherkin had prepared for the little pilgrims. All about the cottage in the trees were hung colored lanterns, which, as the evening grew darker, gave out brilliant sparkles of light; on the little lawn was a table laden with fruits and creams and cakes, and the white cloth was festooned with pink roses; rustic seats, dressed with flowers and canopied with boughs, were arranged on a carpet of richly woven colors; vases and jars of sweet-scented flowers adorned the tables, where glittered silver pitchers and crystal cups.
Lovely white dresses of thinnest muslin and coronets of white blossoms had been prepared for the children, who, having bathed and refreshed themselves, were led by Grim to their seats beside Lady Idleways and the Motherkin, who listened with attention to Laura's account of her journey.
Grim listened, too, chuckling with pleasure as he moved about, waiting upon his mistress and her guests.
”Now, my dear Lady Idleways,” said the Motherkin, ”I can let Laura return to you with great satisfaction, for I am quite sure she has been much benefited by her visit to us. She came to me a spoiled, too much indulged child; she goes back to you a sensible, intelligent being, with a desire to be useful, and with sympathy for her fellow-creatures.”
”But, my dear Motherkin,” said Laura, with tears, ”am I to go home and never, never see you again, or Grim, or Kathie, or my dear little bear, or have any more happy days in the woods?”
”Why, no, my dear Laura,” said her mother, quickly. ”You shall take Kathie home with you, and your dear little bear, and all that you love; and you shall see the Motherkin very often--as often as she will let you come to the Forest of Pines; and we will spend all our days in the woods if you wish, for I shall want you to go about with me among the cottages, and see what we can do for the poor people in them; besides, you forget that we are to find Kathie's father for her, and make her home a happy one again.”
”And after all, dear Laura, you need never suffer for want of my company,” said the Motherkin; ”for though I asked your mother not to reveal my name before you came to me, I have no wish to make it any longer a secret. I am the fairy Industry. Be industrious, dear child, and I am always at your service.”
CHAPTER XI.
Nothing more beautiful could well have been imagined than the day Lady Idleways, Laura, and Kathie started for Idleways Castle. Towards morning there had been a shower, which freshened every leaf, and gave a glittering touch to every flower. It was a joyous, glad day, when even the birds seemed to be happier; and when Laura bade farewell to her kind friends, sorry as she was to leave them, she could not be unhappy.
The Motherkin and Grim escorted them through their woods and beyond the door in the rock where Laura had first seen the fairy. At this point they exchanged good wishes and made their final adieux, the Motherkin never venturing out of the confines of the Forest of Pines--at least to mortal vision she never went farther.
[Ill.u.s.tration: ”LAURA THOUGHT SHE SAW A FAMILIAR OBJECT BEHIND A BUSH OF SWEETBRIER.”]
As they reached the limit of the woods, where Lady Idleways's carriage was waiting, Laura thought she saw a familiar object partly hiding behind a bush of sweetbrier. Kathie's eyes also turned in the same direction, and she whispered to Laura, ”Is that the Herb Elf, or is it only a rabbit?”
”It is the elf. Look at his queue. I wonder what he wants? He seems to be afraid of being noticed. Look! he is waving his cap to us, and then he retreats behind the bush again.”
”What is it detains you, children?” asked Lady Idleways; for both Kathie and Laura lingered a little.
”The Herb Elf, mamma,” whispered Laura.
”I see nothing but a rabbit, my dear.”
”But it _is_ the elf, mamma. May I go speak to him? He may want to say good-bye.”
”Are you not afraid of his mischievous tricks?”
”He would not dare do any harm to me with you so near, mamma.”
”Go, then; but do not let him urge you away out of my sight.” Laura ran to the bush of sweetbrier behind which the elf was hiding, at which he capered and frisked about as if highly pleased.
”So you are going home, are you?” he asked.
”Yes, I am going, and Kathie is going with me. How could you let those mosquitoes torment us so? The bites hurt yet. Look!” and she held out a swollen finger.
At this the elf fumbled in his pockets, and drew out a peculiar-looking ring. It seemed to be cut out of coral.