Student. "Yes, quite little daisies and lilies-of-the-valley."
Ida. "Where do the beautiful flowers dance?"
Student. "Have you not often been outside of the town gate, by the great castle where the King lives in summer, and where the beautiful garden is with all the flowers? You have seen the swans which swim up to you when you want to give them bread crumbs. There are capital balls there, believe me!"
Ida. "I was out there in the garden yesterday with my mother, but all the leaves were off the trees, and there was not one flower left. Where are they?"
Student. "They are within the castle. As soon as the King and all the court go to town, the flowers run out of the garden into the castle and are merry. You should see that. The two most beautiful roses seat themselves on the throne, and then they are King and Queen; all the red coxcombs arrange themselves on either side, and stand and bow; they are the chamberlains. Then all the pretty flowers come, and there is a great ball. The blue violets represent little naval cadets; they dance with hyacinths and crocuses, which they call young ladies; the tulips and the great tiger-lilies are old ladies who keep watch that the dancing is well done and everything goes on with propriety."
No sooner is this last word uttered than a sound of music is heard. Enter two Fairies, who stand one on either side of little Ida, and waving their wands over her, sing:
"Oh, listen, listen! your eyes shall glisten
With pleasure and love and jubilee."
First Fairy. "She looks surprised."
Second Fairy. "She has dropped her flowers."
First Fairy. "She would better sit down."