where crowds of Fairy friends came forth to welcome them.
But when Queen Dew-Drop touched them with her wand, as they passed in, the light faded from their crowns, their robes became like withered leaves, and their wands were powerless.
Amid the tears of all the Fairies, the Queen led them to the gates, and said,—
"Farewell! It is not in my power to aid you; innocence and love are not within your hearts, and were it not for this untiring little maiden, who has toiled while you have wept, you never would have entered your lost home. Go and strive again, for till all is once more fair and pure, I cannot call you mine."
"Farewell!" sang the weeping Fairies, as the gates closed on their outcast friends; who, humbled and broken-hearted, gathered around Bud; and she, with cheering words, guided them back to the forest.
Time passed on, and the Fairies had done nothing to gain their lovely home again. They wept no longer, but watched little Bud, as she
