"Besides," returned Pierre, "we have to find that key or else never see the fairy court. Those children must have dropped it in the woods or in the water, for if it had been on the grass it could easily have been found."
Brother and sister stood hand in hand on the bank of the river, wondering if somewhere amid its golden sand lay a little golden key.
"Do you remember," said Iona, "what the flower guard said about two fairies who helped people with their affairs? I was thinking how nice it would be if one of them would help us now. Do you remember their names?"
"Yes, I think they were Rose-bud and Lily-petal."
"Let us see if we can persuade them to come," said Iona. "The flower guard gave us a rhyme for himself. Can you make a verse about Rose-bud?"
Pierre thought deeply for a moment. "I don't believe I can," he answered. "Can you? You must, Iona. It's necessary."
So Iona thought and thought. At last she said,
"Rose-bud of the gauzy wing,
We need you like anything."