“Is the little lad, Jim, with them?” Lamara asked.
“I think not; I fear he has met with misfortune.”
“That child is very near my heart,” Lamara said. “Every thought and impulse in him is free from self. We must protect him with all our power. His love and loyalty are without stain; they shine through his quaintness like flame through a grotesque lantern.”
“Jim will play his part,” Aunion affirmed, with a smile. “It is my impression that he has found a powerful friend—Solarion himself!”
Argon had a hand to his ear. “Isn’t that the piping of the Nature people?” he exclaimed. “Yes—yonder they come! And Jim in the midst of them!”
“You are right—they are leading him in triumph!” rejoined Lamara gladly. “They feel the innocence and honesty of his soul; it is a high honor to win their affection. His goodness has found him out! But what can be his errand?”
“We shall soon learn; the imp has the gift of tongue,” observed Aunion amusedly.
The festive group drew nearer. Jim’s stature was not great; but he loomed large by contrast with his retinue. The little creatures came skipping and gamboling around him, all in high spirits, and evidently much pleased with their companion. Fauns and nymphs, hand in hand, danced and cut capers; satyrs were piping heartily on their reeds, interrupting themselves now and then to turn head-over-heels; the company had gathered flowers as they came, with which they made wreaths to decorate their new friend and themselves. Jim managed his crutch so deftly that the lack of a leg seemed to be no handicap; he hopped and pirouetted almost as nimbly as the others, and his jollity was as wholehearted as theirs. He greeted Lamara and her friends from afar, grinning wide.
“Hello, folks! What d’yer t’ink o’ dis bunch? But wait till I learns dem pipers ter play ‘Yankee Doodle’!”
“You find them good company?” asked Lamara smilingly.