(The fifth fairy stands for a time looking after the others, then comes to the stump and sits down at Selma's feet.)
Fifth Fairy— Sister,
If you will come and play, I'll show you slim
Young heath-bells in the dingle. Won't you, if
We take you where may-apples grow and pinks
Bend with their fairy mirrors on the moss?
Voice— (From the thicket below.) O sister!
(The fairy starts up and skips down the slope.)
Selma— (Without looking up.)
Three times it has bloomed and he does not come.
Sixth Fairy— (Entering hurriedly from the thicket.)
We were floating along on the river mist
And saw them creep up the mountain side—
Seventh Fairy— (Entering.)
And heard them plotting and heard them say:
"We will throw him down, we will throw him down."
Sixth Fairy—We called in his ear, but he did not hear,
(The seventh starts up the slope toward Selma.)
Fifth Fairy—Oh, do not tell her! Oh, do not tell!