Mary Frances wanted to ask him how he happened to be out of the pulpit, but she suddenly thought he might not like the question, so she said:
“Why, how do you do, Mr. Jack? We are pleased to know you;” and she and Eleanor both smiled.
The little fellow was delighted.
“You really are glad—that I can see. There are lots of human people who come into the woods who never listen or look when we call.”
“Why,” asked Eleanor looking round, “are there more of you?”
“Oh, my, yes,” nodded the little fellow. “Lots and lots more, only the others are very busy getting flowers ready for next Autumn and Spring—that is, all but one. Her name is Bouncing Bet.”
At that, the leaves began to bounce and to whirl again, and out of their midst sprang a tiny little lady. She was so beautiful that both the girls exclaimed, “Oh, isn’t she lovely!”
She certainly was lovely, in a gown of queen’s lace over wild rose petals. On her feet were tiny lady slippers; on her head a lovely violet. Her hair was of yellow-white thistle-down. When she spoke, her voice sounded like a laughing bell.
“So you’ve found them at last, Jack,” she laughed. “You’ve found human beings who can hear us and can see us. Let’s tell what we can do for them.”
“Yes,” said the little fellow in green, taking Bouncing Bet’s hand and speaking to the girls. “Please be seated.”