"Ho! ho!" said the man of the mountains, "Ho! ho!"
"Zenia is near!" Rick tried to say, but it was hardly more than a faint, wild shriek.
As soon as he spoke those words, however, the giant began to look less brilliant, and the figure itself to grow less distinct and farther away, until it disappeared, leaving the clear air, the sky, and the valley below, just as they had been before.
When the giant had disappeared, a voice behind Rick said,—
"I thought he would appear to you. Do you know what it means to see the old man of the mountains, with that long stick in his hand?"
Rick recognized the sharp voice, and, turning around, saw the fairy seated upon a low crag behind him, fanning herself with a bough laden with green leaves, and flowers just the color of her skirt.
She repeated the question again, in a louder voice; for Rick was so frightened and confused that he made no reply.
"No, ma'am," he faltered.
"Well, I'll tell you what it means, my fine young gentleman: it means that it is high time for the person who sees that sight, to make a change in his ways. Do you know what change you had better make in your ways?"
"No, ma'am," responded Rick meekly.