Part 7

With her hands full of flowers the Fairy paused to answer him:

“I am giving a party this afternoon,” she said, “to friends from a distance, and we are all very busy.”

Cho-Cho, arriving about this time, was told to leave his bag in the house and hurry back to help gather roses.

The curious neighbor departed, and Cho-Cho and the Fairy worked for an hour, gathering flowers and vines, to make the beautiful house more beautiful.

At last it was all finished, and the Fairy hurried upstairs to don her party gown before the guests should arrive.

When she came down the stairs a half hour later, Cho-Cho, waiting in the hallway, held his breath in admiration, for the little Fairy was so lovely that words can scarce describe her. Her gown fell in graceful lines about her slender figure—neck and arms were bare, and her flower-like face crowned with its shining hair was radiant with joy. Forget-me-nots were twined among her curls, and she carried a bunch of them in her shapely hands. No jewels adorned the Fairy, but in every way she expressed simplicity and grace.

Cho-Cho, coming forward, dropped lightly on one knee, and taking the Fairy’s hand, raised it to his lips.

“You are wonderful,” he said.

“You like my gown, Cho-Cho?” she questioned, and smiled upon him, for these two were old and tried friends.

A noise from without told of the advent of a guest, and Health went forward to greet the visitor.

It proved to be the Persian Cat, looking quite handsome in a soft-gray hat, which he gracefully doffed to the Fairy, and he carried a gold-headed cane.

One could well imagine him a great favorite with the ladies, for he was indeed a finished dandy.

“You rival your flowers in beauty, Fairy,” he said, as he took her hand.

At the noise of the garden gate closing, they looked up to behold the Wonderful Dog and his wife coming toward them.

The Wonderful Dog had on a smart new collar, and came forward with dignity to present his wife to the Fairy, for they had never met.

Mrs. Dog was a fluffy little thing, who seemed really to care more about her new dress and the latest style than any other subject.

The next arrival was the little Boy from the Farm. He came timidly toward the group, looking rather frightened, but when he spied his old friend, Cho-Cho, all his fears vanished and he smiled with pleasure.

They were busily chatting in the Rose Arbor, when the little Vegetable Men came softly in and stood beside the Fairy.

She welcomed them with kindness, for these were modest little people and felt rather strange among the handsome company.

With a whirr of wings and a flash of color, the Lovely Bird and his brother Rumor were among them and congratulated the Fairy on the perfect weather she was having for her Fête.

The company were all assembled now except the Red Brown Squirrel, and the Fairy asked if anyone had seen him on the high-road as they came hither. But no one had heard of him, although the Persian Cat had come from that direction.

An hour slipped by. The Fairy was growing anxious and Cho-Cho repeatedly looked at his watch.

At last he said:

“With your permission, Fairy, I will go look for the Red Brown Squirrel. He was my friend and I greatly fear some evil has befallen him.”

“I, too, will go,” said the Cat, “there are many dangers upon the high-road, and a comrade may be needed.”

“I am with you,” said the Dog. “Lead on, Cho-Cho.”

“Friends,” said the Persian Cat, “I believe I can find the Red Brown Squirrel. Between his home and the Fairy’s garden there lives an evil imp, called Jealousy. I passed him today as I journeyed hither and he scowled upon me with a look of rage. He was afraid to attack me, but the Squirrel is small and not a match for this cruel imp, and has doubtless fallen a victim to his malice.”

“Hasten, hasten,” said Cho-Cho, and passing through the gate he started briskly toward the Squirrel’s home.