Grim listened, too, chuckling with pleasure as he moved about, waiting upon his mistress and her guests.
"Now, my dear Lady Idleways," said the Motherkin, "I can let Laura return to you with great satisfaction, for I am quite sure she has been much benefited by her visit to us. She came to me a spoiled, too much indulged child; she goes back to you a sensible, intelligent being, with a desire to be useful, and with sympathy for her fellow-creatures."
"But, my dear Motherkin," said Laura, with tears, "am I to go home and never, never see you again, or Grim, or Kathie, or my dear little bear, or have any more happy days in the woods?"
"Why, no, my dear Laura," said her mother, quickly. "You shall take Kathie home with you, and your dear little bear, and all that you love; and you shall see the Motherkin very often—as often as she will let you come to the Forest of Pines; and we will spend all our days in the woods if you wish, for I shall want you to go about with me among the cottages, and see what we can do for the poor people in them; besides, you forget that we are to find Kathie's father for her, and make her home a happy one again."
"And after all, dear Laura, you need never suffer for want of my company," said the Motherkin; "for though I asked your mother not to reveal my name before you came to me, I have no wish to make it any longer a secret. I am the fairy Industry. Be industrious, dear child, and I am always at your service."
CHAPTER XI.
Nothing more beautiful could well have been imagined than the day Lady Idleways, Laura, and Kathie started for Idleways Castle. Towards morning there had been a shower, which freshened every leaf, and gave a glittering touch to every flower. It was a joyous, glad day, when even the birds seemed to be happier; and when Laura bade farewell to her kind friends, sorry as she was to leave them, she could not be unhappy.
The Motherkin and Grim escorted them through their woods and beyond the door in the rock where Laura had first seen the fairy. At this point they exchanged good wishes and made their final adieux, the Motherkin never venturing out of the confines of the Forest of Pines—at least to mortal vision she never went farther.
