“Are you then a sprite?” asked Kitty.
The elfish being laughed louder, showing all its white teeth. Kitty thought it now looked more like an imp, as he went on skipping and chanting.
“I make the magpies steal; I make the goats butt; I make the children disobey.”
Saying this it ran up the tree again, caught at one of the branches, and swung itself backward and forward.
Kitty felt a little afraid on hearing that last speech; but she began to laugh again as she watched the creature darting gay as the birds or the pretty wildlings of the wood.
The next moment it scampered down. “Catch!” it cried, tapping her on the shoulder, and starting off at a run.
Clack! clack! went its bounding heels. The sound set those of Kitty bounding in pursuit. It was the merriest race. She chased her elfish play-fellow round and round the meadow; but she could never catch him. He always escaped her; tossing back his curly black hair and tiny horns. Still they scampered about until Kitty was quite giddy with play.
All at once the creature stopped short, and said:
“I know Johnnie. Come, let us look for Johnnie.”
“For Johnnie!” cried Kitty, bewildered. “Where shall we look for him?”