s.
Underneath was a tiny lake full of blooming water lilies. There were
mounds of fruit and flowers, nuts from all over the world, piles of
cake, candied fruit, ices made in all kinds of shape. The most
beautiful plates and dishes, glass and crystal and servants piling up
dainties and pouring out fragrant drinks.

At the head sat the Prince and Cinderella. He rose and drank to her
health and good fortune with the most exquisite verse and Sir Aldred
returned with a charming reply. Certainly there were no envious or
jealous sisters. Every one was so merry and talked with his or her
neighbor, and every girl had a knight who was devoted to her. Were
they all Cinderellas, and had the Prince been as delightful to them?
Every face beamed with wondrous satisfaction.

"But I don't understand it at all," and she glanced up wonderingly.

"Oh, you don't have to in fairy land. You just take all the pleasure
that comes. You are not thinking of all the tomorrows. There will be
something nice and pleasant if you look for it in the right place. For
little Cinderella, we must not be looking for tomorrow's joy. You
cannot find them tonight. There are flowers that fold their leaves but
will open again tomorrow. You would be short sighted to sit down and
cry tonight about it."

Marilla was a good deal puzzled.

"You must be a happy little Cinderella when you have been to fairy
land. You must not lose faith in fairy godmothers. They come at
unexpected times and in different guise. And that is what keeps the
world bright and the heart young, and sometime the real Prince
comes."

Her heart beat with a mysterious joy. She was full of gladness.

Then they walked around and all the other Cinderellas seemed so happy
when he smiled and spoke to them. The beautiful music went on. Here
and there groups were dancing again.

And then it seemed as if a giant caught her and almost shook her to
pieces, and the beautiful lights wavered and vanished. She was brought
upon her feet with a force that would have shivered any glass
slipper.

"You little huzzy! What are you doing up this time of night, instead
of asleep in bed? Rouse up! rouse up! Lucky you didn't let my fire go
out this cold night! Come, hustle!"

There seemed a sort of crash. Marilla glanced around with half-opened
eyes. Yes, this was the old kitchen. There was Bridget with the
lighted end of a candle in the tin candlestick.

"Come! get along, sleepy head." She gave her a push up