“Why, Jack-in-the-Pulpit,” said he.
“Ha! Ha!” laughed the King, “you’ve done well, and now I am most anxious to examine that wonderful garden of yours.”
“Will your Majesty go to the garden now?” asked the flower-elf.
“I will,” said the King.
Then Captain Featherweight and Iris-Wing escorted the King all over the garden and grounds around Templeton Hall. And the King was delighted, and gave the Captain and the flower-elf much praise.
“Yours is the best-kept garden I’ve seen in my travels,” said he, “and as a reward for your diligence, interest, and skill, I’ll give you, Iris-Wing, a girdle of gold.”
Now in Elfland a golden girdle is scarcely ever worn except by the Captain of a Company. And to be presented with one was in itself a great honor; but to be presented with a golden girdle by the King was a very great honor indeed!
Then the flower-elf bowed low to the King of the elves, and made answer: “Your Highness, you honor me greatly.”
“Arise,” said the King, “you are worthy. I’ll have the girdle designed by the Dwarfs of the Court, and you and the elves of Mount Fern will come there to receive it one year from today.”
When they had made a tour of the flower garden they went into the orchard; and they found that the woodpeckers, nut-hatches and creepers had done their work thoroughly, for there was not a sign of a caterpillar anywhere, nor the eggs of any insect.