"I promised you a story," said the little voice, close to his ear again.
"Yes, I know you did; can you tell it now?"
"To be sure I can, if I only have time. I did not bring any of my people to-night; they are helping some of the herb elves. It is a little late in the season, and some blossoms have been slow in opening, so that we have to urge them."
"How?" asked Phil.
"By coaxing and persuasion for some of them; others we have to blow upon quite forcibly."
"I am ready for the story when you are," said Phil.
"It is a wild affair, and one that all children might not care to hear; but to you, I fancy, nothing comes amiss."
"No, I like almost everything," said Phil.
"I shall begin just as my grandmother used to. Once upon a time, in the days of enchantment, there was a dreadful old ogre—"
"Do not make him too dreadful, or I shall have bad dreams," interrupted Phil.