“And, Lightning!” continued the Captain, “we shall need new balls and mallets for the occasion, so go to the Dwarfs of Cavedale, and tell them to have them ready for Thursday next.”
“Of what shall the Dwarfs make them?” asked Lightning.
“The balls shall be made of purest rubber, the mallet heads of finest ivory, and the handles of blackest ebony.”
“And how large shall they be, noble Captain?”
“Let the balls be as large as three times a sweet-pea seed, and the mallets as large as the stamens of the Tiger-Lily.”
“Iris-Wing, you shall have charge of collecting the nectar, as well as providing the fans for the party.”
“And what shall we use for fans?” asked the flower-elf.
“I think,” said the Captain, “the leaves of nasturtium.”
“And shall we have music?” asked Tono.
“Yes, after the game we’ll have music, and you shall have charge of it, Tono; I leave the selection entirely to you.”