Then the children looked all about. The forest trees back of them were waving and shimmering in the sun. Daises and buttercups were bright along the shore, and a tangle of wild rose-bushes covered with blossoms made the air sweet; but no fairy appeared.
"They must be good fairies," said Pierre, "or else they wouldn't help people, and there must be some way to get them. That proud little flower guard appeared to us quick enough without any verse being said to him."
"Perhaps we haven't the names right," said Iona. "I wonder if it wasn't Lily-bud and Rose-Petal."
"Try again, then," returned Pierre.
So Iona thought very earnestly again and at last said,
"Rose-Petal bright, Rose-Petal gay,
Help us to find the key today."
"What key, children?" asked a voice, and turning quickly they saw on the nearest wild rose-bush a fairy swaying. Rosy waves swept over her white gown in ripples of color, and her wings changed from silver to rose as they closed and unclosed.
Pierre and Iona hurried toward her.
"O dear Rose-Petal," said Iona, clasping her hands in happiness at seeing the bright little being. "The flower guard will help us to the fairy court if we can only find the key to the palace gate. Some children lost it. Can you help us?"