CHAPTER VI.
THE ROSE-JAR BABY.
THE rose-jar baby had tiny wings, but no one had ever seen them while he slept on the cover of the rose-jar in mamma’s room. One drowsy summer day Ray raised the cover from the rose-jar. Instantly there was wafted about a faint delicious odor and the lovely little baby opened his eyes and smiled at Ray. Then he began to fly around the room like a great butterfly, indeed he was not any larger than one. Ray followed him about the room and out into the garden and thence down a long path to the edge of the woods.
In this place some very beautiful roses were growing and the rose-jar baby flew right into the heart of one of them. He whispered something to the rose and all at once out of its very center peeped a bright little face. Then other faces appeared, until every rose on the bushes showed a lovely, smiling countenance.
“These are my brothers and sisters,” said the rose-jar baby, introducing them to Ray, who was delighted to meet them.
The baby talked with his brothers and sisters about many things. They told him about some butterflies who had been visiting them that morning, and other friends. They spoke about the fine weather, and the rose-jar baby said:
“I will not stay any longer because I am on my way to Glen Fair. I suppose I will see you there later.”
“Yes,” answered all the roses together, “we are coming very soon.”
The baby then started to fly into the woods and Ray followed until he began to feel very tired.