Part 2

So the birds went with them, and they all rose up over the tops of the trees, and flew through the air to the north.

It grew colder and colder. Every now and then other birds would join them, when they heard where they were going; and by the time they reached the snow there was a large flock of them.

Tina wondered what they were all going to do, when they all settled down on the snow-covered ground.

There were buildings and trees about; and after a great deal of chattering, some of them flew up on the branches, and others on different places, where they all seemed to be waiting for something.

Finally, they all looked at each other, and said, “Here he comes!”

Tina looked too, and saw a strange creature coming toward them. It looked something like a cat, and something like a snake. She could not tell which it was.

At once there was a great flutter and stir among the birds, and they all flew furiously at the creature.

[Illustration: [Birds]]

Tina thought it must be the one that had ruined the eggs, as she saw the pair of birds whose nest it was, seeming very angry.

She joined the others, and they began to battle with the creature, who was so taken by surprise that it did not know what to do.

They pecked at its eyes, they beat it with their wings. At last they all flew up on a tree, and looked at Tina.

“What am I to do?” she said. “You seem to expect something of me.”

“Finish it!” said they. “Finish it!” they all screamed.

“How can I?” said she.

“You know,” they said. “You know best; go on.”

Tina stood still for a moment, and then she picked up a little twig, and flew toward the beast.

It seemed to be greatly afraid when it saw her, and as she waved the twig before its eyes, it sank back and closed them.

[Illustration: [Birds]]

There was a scream of delight from the birds, and they all gathered around her twittering and singing.

“Now, to the Rose Garden,” said they, and they flew off, with Tina in their midst.

As they went on, the air grew warm and balmy, and the perfume of flowers became stronger. Soon they saw a row of marble pillars, white as snow.

They all alighted, and the butterfly flew toward them.

“You have done well,” it said to Tina. “Welcome to the Rose Garden.”

Tina looked around and saw that she was in the most enchanting place. Myriads of beautiful birds flew about; butterflies of every hue darted here and there, and there were roses—roses everywhere.

It seemed like Fairy-land; and Tina thought it must be, when she saw she still had the fan, and a little fairy face was looking at her from another slat.

THE FAIRY’S FRIENDS.

“I thought I was a bird,” said Tina, “and birds don’t carry fans.”

“You were a bird, but you’re not one now,” said the fairy. “You touched the rose before its petals fell.”

“When did I touch it?” said Tina.

The fairy pointed to a rosebush by which Tina was sitting, and she saw that one rose leaf lay on her lap; it had just dropped from a lovely rose that rested by her shoulder.

“And you came from the fan, too?” she said to the fairy, who picked up the rose leaf and began to fan herself with it.

“Yes,” said the fairy, “I am one of the Zephyrs.”

“Well, you are very pretty,” said Tina.

“I know it,” said the fairy. “At least most people think so. Now, I will take you to see some friends of mine, if you would like to go,” said she; “but you will not see me after we leave the Rose Garden.”

“How will I know your friends, when I see them, and how can I find the way?” asked Tina.

“Oh, I will be there,” said the fairy, “to tell you; only you can’t see me. I will give you a book to look at before we go, and if anything should possibly happen, you have only to look in the book, and it will be all plain to you. Sit there under that tree, and I will come for you in a moment.”

Tina sat down and took the book in her lap, and began to look at it.

It was a very queer book, full of pictures which, when you looked close at them, seemed not to be pictures merely, but the places themselves.

Tina was puzzling over them when the fairy came back.

They passed through the Rose Garden, all the roses nodding to them, and the butterflies flying about their heads to the very gate.

[Illustration: [Girl]]

As they passed through the gate, the fairy disappeared.

“Where are you?” asked Tina.

“I am right here beside you,” said a voice. “Go on straight ahead till you come to an open space, where you will see some gray hares feeding.”

It was not long before Tina spied the hares.

“Now, where shall I go?” said she.

“Keep on to that old tree with gnarly roots.”

She did so, and sat down under the tree, wondering what was coming next.

Presently up hopped four hares, and sat down in front of her.

“Well,” said she.

“Well,” said they.

“It is a fine day,” said Tina, not knowing exactly what to say.

The hares looked at each other as much as to say, “She is very silly.”

“Of course it is a fine day,” said one of them. “Did you think we couldn’t see?”

“No,” said Tina, “I only wanted to be polite.”

“Oh,” said the hare, “I’m glad I know.”

[Illustration: [Girl]]

Tina put her hand in her pocket and found a piece of bread, which she thought she would give to the hares.

They hopped to her and began to quiver their noses.

“Won’t you have a piece?” said she.

“What is it?” asked they.

“Only bread.”

“What is that? We never saw any before.”

“It is very good,” she replied. “You had better try it.”

One of them began to nibble it, but while he was eating he began to turn from gray to black, and at once they all hopped away.

Tina got up and followed them. “Where is the fairy, I wonder?” she said, looking around.

“Here I am,” said a voice over her head.

She looked up and saw a bird, but that was all.

“Look at your book,” said the voice.

Tina looked at her book and saw a path leading to a fence. A gun was leaning by the fence, and a dead hare was lying on its back near by.

“I don’t think I’ll go there,” she said. “Need I?”

“No,” said the fairy. “You can go the other way.”

She turned the page of her book and saw a path leading toward a village, and as she shut the book, there was the path before her.

She turned into it, and as she walked on she heard merry voices, that seemed to come nearer and nearer. She looked to the right and left, but saw no one.

“It must be children in the village,” she thought. “I will keep on. It sounds as if they were having a pretty good time.”

A few yards from her she saw two squirrels sitting up, eating nuts, and when she came up to them a nut fell right on the top of her head, and she heard a little laugh somewhere above her.

She looked up, and there, in the branches of a tree, were three or four little children gathering nuts.

“Come up,” they said. “You don’t know what fun it is!”

“Shall I go?” said Tina to the fairy.

“Yes,” she said. “These are my friends. My father, the West Wind, is coming to-night to blow down the nuts, and the squirrels will get them all; it is their tree, anyhow.”

Tina went up to the tree, and was going to climb up, when suddenly she felt herself lifted off her feet, and before she could turn around she was sitting on a limb of the tree, with three children near her.

“We have been waiting for you ever so long,” said they. “What made you so late?”

“I stopped to talk to the hares,” said she. “I didn’t know you were waiting.”

Just then a squirrel whisked by them, stopping to look over his shoulder at them, and saying, “Don’t take too many.”

[Illustration: [Girl]]

“We won’t,” said they.

“I never knew squirrels and such things could talk,” said Tina.

The children laughed, and said, “You must have lived in a funny place all your life, if you never heard squirrels talk.”

“It was a very nice place,” said Tina.

“Perhaps so,” said the children. “Never mind; let us get down, and see what is in the nuts.”

“Why, what is always in nuts, I suppose,” said Tina.

“Oh, you don’t know,” said they; and they all gave a little jump, and sank lightly to the ground as if they were feathers.

They set to work to crack the nuts, and Tina was amazed to find that in every one was something different.

The first one held a delicious bon-bon; the second a tiny little horse and wagon. The horse seemed alive and trotted off by itself, no one tried to stop it. And nut after nut was cracked, each holding something more wonderful—the strange part of it being that no amount of hard blows on the shell seemed to break what was inside.

After a while they were tired; and, taking Tina by the hand, led her to the village, through the streets to a cottage. They all went in, and the first thing she knew, Tina was lying on a soft bed, feeling, oh, so sleepy. And in a moment more she forgot everything.

[Illustration: [Children]]

FLOWER CHILDREN.

“Wake up! wake up!” was the first thing she heard. She raised herself on one elbow, and looked about her.

On the floor lay the fan, and staring up at her from one of the slats was a face.

“Well, I declare!” said Tina.

“Come, wake up! They are waiting for you,” said the child, who now stood by the bed. “They are all down stairs.”

Tina did not have time to say anything, but picked up the fan and followed the child downstairs.

They went into a room full of children; most of them were sitting around the floor, and one seemed to be telling the others a story.

As Tina came in they made room for her.

“Begin the story over again, Daffodil,” said they, “so Eglantine can hear it.”

“My name isn’t Eglantine,” said Tina.

“Oh, yes, it is,” said they. “That’s why you are called Tina.”

“But I don’t know your names,” said Tina.

“Well, we’ll tell you,” said they, “before we begin the story. Here are Violet, and Rose, and Lily; Hyacinth, Johnny-jump-up, and Sweet William; and Daffodil is going to tell us about little Snow-drop.”

Daffodil had lovely long, yellow hair. Violet was dressed in blue, Rose in pink, and Lily in white. Hyacinth’s clothes were of different colors. Johnny-jump-up was a pretty little fellow in purple velvet jacket, and Sweet William wore dark red.

“And what is your name?” said Tina to the child who had awaked her.

“Four-o’-clock,” said she, spreading out her red and white striped frock. “That is why they sent me up to call you.”

Shy little Violet nestled up to Daffodil, Rose stood near her, tall Lily sat opposite, and Four-o’-clock sat down by Hyacinth. Tina knelt down between Rose and Sweet William, and Johnny-jump-up stood behind Daffodil.

“One day,” began Daffodil, “very early in the spring, I chanced to be out for the first time. It was quite cold; the snow was on the ground, and I began to wish I had stayed in a while longer. I looked about for some one to speak to, for I felt lonely. I thought perhaps Hyacinth might be out, but he wasn’t; and I knew it was too soon for little Violet. I sat for some time looking about, then I jumped down, and thought I would take a walk.

[Illustration: [Girl]]

“I went along through the snow. Oh, it was so cold! I was really glad that every one was indoors. Pretty soon I saw a little heap over in the corner where the snow-drops live. I went over there and brushed aside the snow, and there was a dear little baby snow-drop. She was asleep, and I was sorry I had brushed off her cover, for I knew the frost would nip her, she was so young.

“I couldn’t cover her up again very well, so I picked her up in my arms and brought her to a sunny spot. As soon as she was warmed through, she opened her eyes and smiled.

“She stayed near me all that day, and was so much company. But it was so cold that night that she couldn’t stand it; so she was taken home before I was, and when I got here she was waiting for me.

“How glad I was to see her, for none of you had come there, you know. But there is Bluebell ringing for us. We must run to the school-room.”

[Illustration: [Children]]

They all got up and ran out, taking Tina with them.

“We only have to go to look over our lessons for to-morrow,” said Four-o’-clock, putting her arm around Tina. “It will only be for half an hour.”

Tina went with them into a large school-room, and saw that there were different classes for them all, though they all seemed to learn pretty much the same thing.

After a while Bluebell rang again, and they all stood up waiting for their teachers, and in they came.

There was Miss Sunshine, Miss Wind, and Miss Rain. They all gathered around Miss Sunshine, and some of them went out with her; but two or three stayed behind to have their lessons explained by Miss Wind and Miss Rain.

“Where is Snow-drop?” said Tina. “I have not seen her.”

“She is so little and delicate she doesn’t often come to school. She is with Eolus, Miss Wind’s brother; he is so fond of music, and Snow-drop loves to hear him play.”

They passed along through the garden, and everywhere Miss Sunshine went it looked brighter. She smiled down on Tina, and Tina blushed with pleasure.

They went on into the house, and came to a curtained doorway. As they drew near, Tina heard music that sounded like the wind blowing over harp-strings. It had a wild, sweet, wailing sound, that almost made Tina cry. She pushed aside the curtain and went into the room. A boy was playing on a violoncello, and on the floor sat the dearest little child, all in white.

“That must be Snow-drop,” thought Tina, “and she does look like one.”

“What are you playing?” she asked the boy.

“Don’t you hear?” he replied. “It is the Wind’s Song.”

“I knew it sounded like the wind,” said Tina.

“Sit down and listen,” said he.

Tina sat down, and it seemed to her that the wind was speaking, and this was what it said:

“Up and away, where the leaves are at play, Or where on the rocks the waves dash their spray; Sending wild clouds scudding fast through the sky, Sweeping along o’er the whole earth go I. Whe-e-e-e-ew!

“Up and away; ever on, ever on, Strewing my tokens wherever I’ve gone; Whirling, and driving, and hurrying by, O’er hill-top, through valley, forever go I. Whe-e-e-e-ew!

“Up and away, with a blast and a swoop, All round the house, with a howl and a whoop; Singing my wild song, now low, now high, Through key-holes, down chimneys, round corners go I. Whe-e-e-e-ew!”

“How do you like it?” said Eolus.

[Illustration: [Children]]

“Very much,” Tina replied. “Won’t you please play something else?”

He did so; and all the time he was playing Tina thought of trickling water, lovely flowers, and moonlight.

“That was lovely,” she said, sighing, when he had finished.

“I think so, too,” said Snow-drop. “Come, take me to the dear Sunshine. I am tired.”

“You look pale,” said Tina; and taking her by the hand, she led her out doors. The others were running hither and thither, their bright dresses making them look like bunches of flowers at a little distance.

“Come play,” they called to Tina; and she ran to join them, leaving Snow-drop with Miss Sunshine.

“Let us play the ‘Wreath,’” they said.

“What is that?” said Tina.

“Oh, you will see;” and in another moment they were formed into a long chain.

“Now, go see how we look,” they said to Tina.

She ran off a little way, and saw that they looked like a wreath of flowers.

While she was looking, they all gathered around Lily, and there was a big bouquet, with Lily in the middle.

“I don’t see how they do it,” thought Tina.

“Now we are going to hide,” said they, “and you must find us;” and in another moment they were gone.

Tina looked all around for them, but not one was to be seen. Instead, the garden was full of blooming flowers.

As she passed by the different ones, they all seemed to look knowingly at her.

She ran about till she was quite warm and tired. She stopped by a rosebush, and began to fan herself with a big leaf; and what was her surprise to find, while she was fanning, it turned into the same fan she had used so often before.

[Illustration: [Children]]

A MAGIC ROSE.

“Well, here you are again,” she said. “You must have wings. I don’t see how else you could get about as you do. I really am tired of you;” and, giving the fan a fling, she threw it over the wall.

“Ha! ha! You can’t get rid of me that way,” said some one. “You’ll have to give me a rose now.”

“Who on earth is that?” said Tina. And a little girl appeared on the other side of the wall.

“I suppose you came out of the fan?” said Tina.

“Of course,” said she. “You had no business to throw the fan away; and now you will have to give me a rose for it.”

Tina turned and took a rose from the bush by her side. “What are you going to do with it?” she said.

“You will see,” she said.

“That’s what they all say,” said Tina; “and I should think I did see.”

The little girl laughed, and said: “I had better not tell you what is coming, but you have been with the Flower Children long enough;” and saying this, she touched Tina with the rose, and in another moment she was on the other side of the wall.

The ground was rough and stony, and hard to walk upon.

“This isn’t a bit nice,” said she. “You might have taken a better path.”

“You can’t expect to have things always pleasant,” said the little girl. “Remember, this is where you threw the fan.”

Tina was silent, and went on stumbling over the rocks.

They soon came to a muddy ditch; the little girl sprang over it, and stood on the other side waiting for Tina; but although she tried and tried, she could not get over it.

“What am I to do?” she said.

“Say you are sorry you threw the fan over the wall,” said the little girl.

“I am sorry,” said Tina.

The little girl leaned over and touched her with the rose, and at once she was on the other side.

They went on, picking their way through the mud, till they came to a large hole in the side of a hill. There was a heavy stone rolled up in front of it.

[Illustration: [Dog]]

The little girl took the rose, and lightly tapped with it, saying:

“Kitty-cat! Kitty-cat! Some one is here; Two times, or three times, You need have no fear.”

The heavy stone was rolled away, and they went into what seemed a long, winding passage. It grew darker and darker as they went on.

“Take care,” said the little girl. “Here are some steps.”

They went down two or three steps, and came to a big stone door.

The little girl touched it two or three times with the rose, saying:

“Kitty-cat! Kitty-cat! Open the door; Two knocks, or three knocks, Have brought you before.”

The door swung open, and they stepped into a large room, or rather hall.

On a big rug, in front of a door, lay a large dog, with two or three kittens crawling over him.

“Is Kitty-cat ready for us?” asked the little girl.

“Yes,” said the big dog, in a gruff voice. “She has just taken her nap.”

“Can we go in?” said she.

“Knock, and see,” was the reply.

The little girl knocked with the rose, and said:

“Kitty-cat! Kitty-cat! Are you at home? Open the door, please, And see who has come.”

The door slowly opened—they went in. It closed after them, and Tina saw that they were in a large room. There seemed to be no one there at first; but, on looking around, she saw a large Maltese cat, sitting on a velvet cushion in front of the fire. She had a gold crown on her head, and around her neck a fine collar embroidered with pearls.

The two girls went softly up to her. She waved her paw toward a lounge on one side, and they sat down.

For some time nothing was said, and they all sat looking at the fire.

Then the cat turned her green eyes toward Tina, and said, “So you couldn’t get over the ditch?”

“How do you know?” said she.

“How do I know anything?” said the cat. “Look in the fire.”

Tina looked, and saw the most wonderful sights, just as if they were really there. All that had just passed was plainly before her. She even saw herself standing by the ditch, and waiting to have the stone doors opened.

“This is very strange,” she thought. Just then the cat got up, stretched herself, and walked over to where Tina was sitting. She jumped up on the lounge and put her paw in Tina’s lap.

[Illustration: [Girl]]

Tina looked around for the little girl, but she was gone, and only the rose was lying where she had been sitting.

Tina picked up the rose, but the cat took it from her, saying, “You must not have that till you go. Now it is time for me to take another nap; so you can go to your room.” And, holding the rose in her paw, she gave Tina a tap with it, and she at once found that she was in her own room at home.

“Well, I am glad to get back,” she said. “I wonder if everything is all right?”

She looked about her for her toys. She only saw a few of them, and at the same time she heard something scratching and growling over by the window. She ran quickly to see, and there found a black cat wound up in her favorite toys, kicking and scratching, and making a great fuss.

“Oh, dear!” she began to cry, “you have ruined my things, you nasty, mean cat!” The cat sat up on its hind legs, every hair bristling.

“Don’t you call me that!” it said. “What did you do to the fan? Remember where you are.”

“I am in my own room,” said Tina.